Scuba diving is, by nature, a dangerous sport. But, you can have a safe, fun and accident free dive by following a few safety rules.
- Take lessons and get qualified by a certification agency before participating in SCUBA diving.
- Get a medical examination from your doctor and take a swim test before learning SCUBA diving. You don’t have to be an olympic athlete, but you do need to know some basic swimming skills.
- Once certified, do not dive in dangerous waters or in an environment for which you are not qualified/certified, such as: ice, cave, and shipwreck diving. They all require special training. One can easily get lost or trapped and run out of air.
- Never dive by yourself. Find a buddy.
- Listen to and follow the rules set forth by the person in charge of the dive.
- Check your equipment carefully and check how the equipment functions, especially if you are renting the equipment. Make sure everything fits and works properly.
- Know local weather conditions before you go on a dive. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Water conducts electricity. Stop swimming, boating or any other activities on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Getting struck by lightning isn’t pleasant and heavy rains can make certain areas dangerous.
- Protect your skin by wearing a waterproof sunscreen with a sun protection factor containing a high rating such as 15.
- Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water. Know the signs and symptoms of dehydration.
- Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and emergency treatment if you are diving in hot weather.
- Know the signs and symptoms of hypothermia and emergency treatment if you are diving in cold weather.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes against the suns damaging rays. Choose sunglasses that absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight.
- This is not an all inclusive list. There are many more things you can do to be safe while on a dive. Use your common sense.