Scuba Diving Safety Creates Successful Dives
Scuba diving is a fun activity that allows you to see the beautiful aspects of nature unseen by the average person. Scuba diving gives you a way to explore a part of Earth that is still a mystery. This sport is the best way to see one of nature’s biggest wonders, but it also comes with plenty of risks. Using proper scuba diving safety ensures that your next dive is successful.
Training
The first step in safety is taking a course in scuba training before diving. A diving course shows you the basics of gear, breathing exercises, emergency situations, and proper techniques. Some courses even give you licensed certification, so you can rent equipment for future dives.
Breathe
Although the first reaction after entering the water is to hold your breath, it’s important to breathe regularly. Holding your breath leads to lung injuries. It’s also important to keep your calm under water. Short, panic-type breathing causes hyperventilation and decreases the amount of air available for longer dives.
Always Keep a Diving Buddy
Scuba diving alone increases the chance of uncontrollable circumstances. Scuba diving safety includes always going with a partner in case of emergencies. A diving buddy can save you from life-threatening incidences like loss of air, mask, or consciousness. A diving buddy can mean the difference between life and death.
Get a Weather Forecast
In states such as Florida, the weather can change tremendously from morning to afternoon. Knowing the weather will keep you safe from harsh ocean conditions. Plenty of websites and newspapers give the forecast from the current day until the following week, giving you time to plan for your scuba diving trip. Additionally, if weather looks bad for the day, don’t attempt to enter the water. Deep water is always calm, but the dive boat above can have serious issues if left in torrid weather.
Avoid the Bends
Diving increases pressure on blood vessels. As you ascend, this pressure is released causing bubbles in the blood to enlarge. There is an unofficial rule in diving to ascend slower than the bubbles that form from the regulator. Although this is a good rule, deep dives need proper decompression methods. Improper ascending during a scuba dive inflates bubbles in the blood stream. If these bubbles reach locations in the body such as the lungs, heart, or brain, severe injury or even death can occur.
Check Equipment
Always check your equipment before going on a dive. Actually, equipment needs to be checked before boarding the boat, and it needs to be checked before going in the water. The safety of scuba equipment ensures your safety and keeps the dive trip safe. Ensure the regulator is working, the connections are tight on the air tank, and check gauges for any cracks or incorrect function. Nothing ruins a beautiful experience than the loss of air or malfunctioning pressure gauges.
When planning a scuba diving trip, these few steps will ensure a successful trip and keep all dive members safe. Scuba diving is a fun activity that lets you enjoy the outdoors, the ocean, and underwater wildlife. Without safety measures, a simple dive trip can turn into a disaster. If you decide not to take a scuba safety course, make sure you are a part of a group of professional divers.
