12 Safe Scuba Diving Tips
By
There's a lot of controversy surrounding the safety of scuba diving activities. Many individuals feel that this water sport is exceptionally dangerous; still others are adamant that it is completely safe. The ultimate answer rests in the amount of dive training that an individual has. Is this individual certified? Did they respond well to their training? Did they retain the important information that was given to them during their certification course?
Once a person becomes certified in this sport, it is essential for them to remain active in the area of safety. In this article, I will expound on numerous safety practices that should be implemented while scuba diving. It is important to understand that most individuals who experience issues with various types of injuries and sicknesses are the newly certified.
The following outlines some basic safety practices while scuba diving:
- It is essential that you only dive when you are accompanied by another individual. You should never attempt to delve into waters alone - as tempting as it may be.
- Are you uncomfortable? Don't do it! Those "dangerous" dives and daredevil dives can end up in serious injuries.
- Before you attempt to go scuba diving, make sure you are in good health. Individuals who suffer from an assortment of different medical conditions should not attempt to scuba dive. These individuals may suffer tremendously - or die.
- Are you taking prescription meds? Don't engage in scuba diving activities while on them.
- Remain calm at all times. There have been numerous individuals who have experienced panic while beneath the surface of the water. If you find that you are starting to get nervous, simply stop what you are doing and do the best that you can to remove yourself from the situation in a calm and reflective manner.
- Test your gear and equipment! You should do this even if the items are brand new. Many injuries and sicknesses occur each year as the result of faulty equipment and other scuba gear.
- Many individuals simply do not consider the importance of protecting their skin while scuba diving. However, the rays from the sun can be especially tremendous when beneath the surface of the water. You should invest in a high SPF sunscreen to ensure that you are effectively protected from these potentially harmful rays.
- Don't drink and dive! You should never indulge in alcohol, over-the-counter medications, or similar mind-altering substances when engaging in scuba diving activities.
- When performing an "ascend", it is important to resist the urge to hold your breath. You should always focus on breathing as normally as possible.
- Pay attention to the the weather! Before diving (or engaging in any type water activity) it is imperative that you educate yourself on weather and water conditions. For example, if there are strong winds, or storms, you should avoid diving. Furthermore, you should pay special attention to tides, currents, and similar conditions. It is best to indulge in scuba diving activities when the weather is clear and nice; you are familiar with the high tide and low tide, and when the currents are low.
- Map it out! Before diving in a particular area, it is best to carefully research the area. You should explore the type of land structures that are familiar to that area, the type of plants there, as well as the type of fish that frequent that area. This will help you to remain safe at all times while in the water.
- Last, but certainly not least by any means -- don't dive if not certified! It is important to scuba dive only if certified in a particular dive category. For example, if you are trained in open waters, do not attempt to dive in caves.
More on Sports and Recreation for Baby Boomers
Diving The Spiegel Grove: A Little Piece of Heaven Underwater
Are you retired - Learn Martial Arts