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Tips
 | Always
display a "Diver Below" flag to advise drivers of boats and jet
skis of your presence. |
| Diving is a
sport for the fit. Keep in top condition. |
| Plan your
trip - think safety. Check on your proposed dive and dive conditions before
leaving. |
| All native
plants and animals are protected. Do not cut down or damage plants. Leave
wildlife alone and do not disturb their homes. |
| Don't leave
litter. Take your rubbish home. |
| Get
plenty of rest the night before your dive. |
| Be
sober - enough said. |
| Always
listen to the pre-dive briefings. If you missed something in the
briefing, ask. |
| Stay
hydrated! Drink plenty of water before & after your dive. |
| Don't
forget to pack snacks for in between dives. Granola bars or similar high-
carb bars provide a good source of energy. |
| Securely
fasten your gauge console, dive computer and or/octopus to your BC to avoid
incidental contact with reefs. |
| When coming
in for a close inspection of something on the reef, maintain a head slightly
down, fins slightly up position, keeping your fins away from the reef or
bottom. |
| Use slow and
smooth motions while underwater. This will allow you to get closer to reef
inhabitants. Avoid grabbing slow moving fish such as balloon fish and
fragile sea horses; too much stress could weaken them. Don't pry octopus out
of their hiding places; there is no safe way to do it. Don't ride sea
turtles; it makes them weary of divers and if it is close to their breeding
cycle, you could scare them from breeding. Sea turtles are an endangered
species; please treat them with respect. |
| Dive
with a buddy, never dive alone.
Be aware of your diving buddy's
capabilities. Be familiar with your buddy's equipment. Select compatible
diving activities. Review hand signals. Plan your dive and dive your plan.
Always perform a pre-dive safety check. Maintain relative position with your
buddy. Monitor each other's air supply frequently. Have a plan if you get
separated. Perform your buddy check early. If your buddy is a
stranger you've been paired up with, you'll want to start early. |
| Equalize your
ears every few feet while descending before feeling pain. If your feeling
pain or severe pressure, you have already gone to far and clearing becomes
more difficult. |
| When was the
last time you practiced an out-of-air emergency? Or removing and replacing
your mask? Practice your basic scuba skills on a regular basis! |
| Check your
buoyancy at the surface before you descend and adjust weight accordingly.
Being under or over weighted can make buoyancy control difficult. Losing
control of buoyancy can lead to an uncontrolled ascent/descent. Practice
hovering whenever possible. |
| Ascend slower
than 60 feet per minute. My computer warns me if I ascend faster than 32
feet per minute. Evidence supplies proof that ascending slower greatly
decreases your chances of decompression sickness (DCS). |
| The reduced
air pressure created by flying can trigger DCS. Always wait at least 12
hours after diving, before ascending to altitude. |
| Bicycle
kicking and sculling your arms are ineffective means of propulsion. As a
result, this wastes lots of air accomplishing very little. |
| If it has
been more than 12 months since your last dive, you should consider taking a
scuba review class from a reputable instructor. At the very least, your
first dive after a long hiatus should be under controlled conditions such as
a pool or in shallow water off a beach. |
| Continue
with your education. Just because you are a certified diver doesn't mean you
are qualified for all diving activities and conditions. If you learn your
advanced skills from a professional you are more likely to develop good and
safe habits. |
| Have
Fun! |
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