9 Top Safety Tips For Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is among one of the most exhilarating experiences for both amateur and seasoned scuba divers.  Scuba diving has become quite a fad, and enthusiasts from across the globe travel to far and distant places, to experience the thrills it promises. The activity transports you into a whole new realm where you experience the exotic wonders of the underwater world.

India is blessed with long coastal lines on its mainland’s eastern and western boundaries, and archipelago in the Bay of Bengal and the Laccadive Sea. You do not have to travel far to scuba dive. For instance, scuba diving in Kerala is quite popular. Several places offer scuba diving facilities, right from instructors, to scuba diving gear and packages. Try scuba diving in Kovalam for an experience of a lifetime. 

However, regardless of whether you are a first-time diver or someone who has mastered the skill, there are specific safety rules that all divers must keep in mind at all times. These rules are critical, for the safety of the individuals and the conservation of the environment underwater. 

Do NOT Touch!

Keep your hands to yourself. Avoid the temptation to reach out and touch the exotic creatures that swim past you. The marine flora and fauna are not used to human interference, so curb your curiosity. Let the corals, and the starfish and the turtles, and the colorful fishes just are. Act responsibly view them, but do not touch them. Click pictures of them but do not disturb them. 

Imagine if every individual who dives into these waters touches things they see. Our touch can harm underwater life, causing them to whittle away.   

Don’t Follow Peer Pressure

Chart your diving plan; do not come under peer pressure and plan a dive, just because your friends are doing it. You should be the one who decides whether you want to dive or not. Do not be pushed into diving by a group of enthusiastic friends. You need to be confident and in full control, before you dive, no matter how good a scuba diver you are. This one decision would decide how well your dive goes.

Buoyancy Skills

Buoyancy is among the most vital skills that every scuba diver must be proficient at. It may appear to be a simple skill, but it requires a lot of practice because every dive depends on it. There is no easy way of mastering this skill other than repeated practice. Learn how to do it correctly, breathe out to go down, and breathe in to come up. Of course, you will have the buoyancy compensation device (BCD) handy, but use it to only compensate for depth changes, during the dive.

Watch Your Fins

The fins that you wear become an extension of you, and you must be aware of them at all times. That means you must learn to control them. You should not be slapping them into someone’s face or flipping them against corals or unsettle the surrounding allowing sediments to move around. Deposits can cover corals and hamper their photosynthesis process.

Know how far out they extend so you can prevent hitting someone or something. In case you accidentally touch something with your fins, stop a moment to see what it was. And if necessary, use a few hand strokes to get in control and move away.

Dive Gear

Dive gear is the most crucial part of the equipment that you will require during the dive. It is critical to guaranteeing your safety when you are in the depths of the ocean. Hence, ensure that the gear that you use is serviced and well-maintained. Be extra cautious, especially if you are hiring the kit from a facility.

Keep Blowing Bubbles

This action is one of the simplest to follow; you have to breathe. Inhale and exhale all through the dive. Do not hold your breath in the hope that you can save on the oxygen in your tank and extend your dive duration. That can be suicidal. Just breathe the way you are supposed to; you will find other ways of extending the dive time.

Watch Your Air

Air is your lifeline when you dive. So, manage it sensibly. Keep a constant eye on your air supply; ensure you do not run out of it and remain safe.

Never Exceed Your Limits

Know your limits and do not push yourself to dive deeper than you intended to in the first place. Do not exceed your limit and try something that you have never done before, or are not confident doing. It is not worth putting yourself at risk. The only outcome would be a nasty case of decompression illness (DCI), and you would not want that to happen. Attempt a deeper dive only after you have fully trained for it, mastered all the skills, and are confident in going ahead with it.

Listen to the Briefing           

Do not be overconfident and relaxed about things when it comes to water sports. During every briefing, the instructions are essential, pay attention and memorise the briefing provided by the dive guides. Each little aspect of the briefing is important, so listen, understand and follow the dive instructions. Remember, it is for your safety.