In the interests of health, safety and environmental care, a number of guidelines are in place that you should familiarise with before embarking on a recreational dive.
Before the dive, please ensure that you follow and apply the points below:
- Ensure that you are fit to dive. Both your body and mind must be 100% prepared.
- Follow the instructions of the dive leader. Listen carefully to the pre-dive briefing and inform yourself about any navigation and emergency protocols, in the event that you are separated from the group.
- Ensure that you haven’t forgotten any of your equipment at home/your hotel/the dive centre.
- Check that your equipment has no malfunctions.
- Perform a mutual buddy check.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration can cause a multitude of problems. Avoid alcohol, excessive smoking and the use of drugs.
- Arrange for travel and dive insurance.
During the dive, please ensure that you follow and apply the points below:
- Don’t hesitate to cancel the dive if you or your buddy are not feeling well.
- Never dive alone.
- Equalize your ears frequently; start even before getting into the water.
- Never hold your breath. Breathe normally at all times.
- Stay in visual contact with the dive guide and your buddy throughout the dive.
- Keep an eye on your air gauge. Indicate to the dive leader when your tank is half empty.
- Don’t dive too deep; stay within the limits of your training and your dive computer (if you don’t have one, follow the dive leader on all occasions).
- Don’t panic. Slow down and relax. This will save your energy and your air.
- Protect the environment. Never litter and never disturb/harm/kill marine life. Marine life is fragile, so be aware of your equipment/arms/legs dangling and pay attention to fin kicks.
- Control your buoyancy. Decent and ascent slowly. Use your dive computer or follow the dive leader.
- Enjoy your dive. If you are not enjoying it for any reason, consider terminating the dive.
After the dive, please ensure that you follow and apply the points below:
- Take good care of your gear. Clean/rinse it with fresh water.
Keep your gear safe and tidy and in one place away from direct sunlight.
- An after-dive briefing is good practice. Discuss what went well and what went wrong. Find out how you can improve next time.
- Don’t fly for at least 24 hours after the dive.
- If you are feeling unwell, don’t keep it to yourself. You may just be tired, but you might also need medical attention.
