Diving Safety - Take Heed Of The Caution Signs

Scuba diving is a unique, beautiful and adventurous sport that everyone should try. It is an experience like no other for fun or relaxation. However, without proper training and prior preparation, scuba diving can be dangerous. Below are a couple of safety tips to follow before scuba diving.

Lessons for Diving

If you are looking to make a hobby out of scuba diving, it is advisable for you to obtain a scuba diving certificate. This can be done by way of a training course. However, if you are looking for a one-off scuba diving trip or just a relaxing outing, it is recommended for you to take along an instructor with you.

Physical Conditioning

A visit to the doctor would be a good idea to undertake before you take up scuba diving. The doctor should give you the all clear for the physical exertions required in scuba. Though scuba diving is mentally relaxing, it involves enough physical effort that people with weak cardiovascular and especially respiratory systems would need to think seriously about first before indulging in. A person can be disqualified from diving if they are found to have asthma, a weak heart and tendencies for asphyxiation. Although the scuba gear allows those who don't know how to swim to navigate underwater, it is advisable that you know how to swim. After all you will be in the water.

Dive Site Awareness

There are certain diving sites that require special training and certification before you can enter. These include shark infested waters, coral reefs with toxic or aggressive underwater life forms, ice floes, underwater caves and shipwrecks. The training and certification in these areas determine your ranking. You should not go scuba diving in places that you have not been trained to handle.

Properly Maintained Dive Equipment is a Must

The training certification process is great in that it also encompasses care and maintenance of scuba equipment. It is always a requirement to keep your scuba gear in top shape to prevent accidents from occurring. Upon renting any scuba diving equipment always be sure to check equipment thoroughly. Any slight fault in your breathing apparatus could prove fatal underwater.

Dive Friend

When embarking on a scuba diving excursion, an experienced instructor is a wise choice to take as a buddy. It is important that you do not take a buddy who is new to scuba diving. The chances of accidents happening will be quite high here. However, if you decide to take a new diver with you, ensure that they know how to follow instructions once underwater. Have a buddy watching out for you if you decide to dive alone.

Dive Site Weather Conditions - Due Diligence Before The Dive

Can you imagine diving during a typhoon or thunderstorm? This would be a disaster. Check the weather conditions and reports before going out diving to avoid ending up in a situation like this. Pack enough medical equipment to compensate for sudden changes in the weather. Heat waves have been known to cause heat strokes and dehydration to divers even underwater. This is possible because water conducts heat more efficiently than air. Heat waves and other adverse weather conditions can prove problematic.

Be Aware of the Danger Signs

It is essential to have some knowledge of medical signs and symptoms. The following are a few conditions that afflict divers. Hypothermia, dehydration, heat exhaustion, asphyxiation and a diver-specific malady called decompression sickness. This occurs when a diver's body is exposed to prolonged breathing of high pressure gas and rapid decrease in pressure after ascending too quickly. Upon returning to the surface, the body cannot adapt quickly enough to the lower surface pressure and this can cause air bubbles to form in the blood resulting in dizziness, sickness and vomiting from system shock.