Scuba Diving Safety
Despite what your life insurance company may think Scuba Diving is actually a very fun and safe hobby. Obviously safety starts with training and certification but beyond that the cardinal rule of dive safety once you have become a certified Scuba Diver is if you will pardon the pun - Don't Get In Over Your Head. Like with many so-called high risk or extreme sports the biggest mistake divers make that gets them in trouble is not knowing their own limitations.
Of course even before getting certified Dive Safety begins with being in good health - if you have never scuba dived and think you may have a health condition that could be a problem it is a good idea to have a complete physical before taking a scuba certification class. Then once certified understand the limits of your certification. Do not dive under conditions or in dangerous environments that you have not been trained to dive in. Caves caverns and wreck diving all require specialized skills. It is all too easy to become trapped and run out of air in one of these places if you do not know what you are doing. Never never dive alone - always dive with a buddy and let people know when and where you will be diving and when you are expected to return. If you own your own Scuba equipment make sure it is checked regularly and well maintained. If you are renting dive gear make sure everything works and fits properly - if something does not seem right make sure you tell the Dive Shop or Dive Master if you are on a group dive. Sunscreen is very important - many people do not realize how easily sunlight penetrates water especially in some of the most crystal clear waters that are ideal for scuba diving. If you are not wearing a wet suit be sure to wear waterproof sun block of at least SPF 15. Know the weather conditions and the weather forecast where you are diving. Storms can change the diving conditions in certain areas dramatically - and remember water conducts electricity - you are not safe from a lighting strike just by being below the surface while Scuba diving. And while it may seem apparently obvious do not scuba dive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This includes certain prescription and non-prescription medications. If you are on any medication check with your doctor before diving.
The water is not your body's natural environment and you can be exposed to many different conditions while diving. It is important that you know the signs and symptoms of and proper first aid for heat exhaustion or heat stroke if you are diving in hot weather. Similarly of hypothermia if you are ice diving or diving in cold weather. Speaking of first aid if you are not Rescue Diver Certified it is probably a good idea to get basic first aid and CPR training if you plan on being an avid diver or dive with someone who has such certifications. When you are in trouble in a dive situation communications can be critical. You can invest hundreds of dollars in fancy communications gear or knowing the basic Scuba hand signals can save your life. If you did not pay as much attention as you should have during your certificating class you can view and print illustrations of the most common hand signals at http://www.activedivers.org/handsign.htm.
Scuba is an activity that does have certain inherent risks. However going in with the understanding that you are "out of your element" and practicing a little common sense is your best way to dive safely and enjoy all the fun and excitement of one of the greatest recreational activities on the planet.
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