What is the diver responsible for?

I hope to convey to new divers and those considering taking up this activity just what it is you are getting into.  I am giving careful thought to this as I write it in order to not be overly alarmist but still convey the seriousness of dive training and the sport of scuba diving.

I sincerely hope that it makes one think and ask questions of their instructor, dive master, boat operator, resort, and fellow divers.  It can not be overemphasized how easy it is to become so enamored with the idea of diving that things can be overlooked that can result in the diver being injured or worse.  Divers can and have died when they surrendered responsibility for their safety to someone else.

First of all we need to look at where these decisions actually began.  Many times it began before the diver even entered the water.  Perhaps as soon as they chose a shop or instructor to train with.  It could have been because of a friend, relative, ad in the yellow pages etc.  But in any case it is likely that until that time they had not done any research regarding agency, training method, time required, etc.

Everything they know or knew about diving most likely came from that one person or business.  As such it is all too common for a new diver to be astonished to find out just how many agencies, training methods, and programs there are.  I myself had no idea what was available to me, and my instructor was careful to avoid discussing the subject of different methods of training.  I was clueless.  Had I known what I know now my path to instructor would most likely have been very different.

But in any case it came down to, that in my early training, believing that someone other than me was responsible for my own safety.  During training that is somewhat true when undertaking a new course that involves new risks and challenges.  Once that card is received however it is an entirely different story.  At that point it is the diver’s responsibility to look out for their own safety.  As certified divers we should be capable of diving with a buddy of equal skill in conditions similar to or better than what the training was conducted in without the assistance of a DM, A/I, or Instructor.  This is even stated as the goal of the Open Water training course by most if not all agencies.

If this is not the case then that diver should not have received a c card.  The diver should be fully capable of planning the dive, doing all the necessary pre dive checks, executing the dive, and exiting safely from the water.  This is the responsibility of the diver along with being able to make the decision to NOT DIVE should conditions or the dive plan be beyond the skill, training, or comfort level of the diver.  In cases where a Divemaster or other guide is employed it still falls ultimately to the diver to dive or not.  When they choose to follow another persons plan with no input of their own they end up doing what are known as “trust me dives”.  Many times nothing untoward happens on these dives.  But unfortunately the odds are against this being the case every time.  And when something does go wrong it may go as wrong as to result in serious injury or death.  When divers are led in groups on a site as seen below the odds of it becoming a “trust me” dive increase as divers get complacent and allow themselves to be led and start to not keep track of things they should.  Air pressures get ignored, buddies drift apart, and rather than having many persons to assist what often results is no one comes to the aid of the diver as they feel that someone else will.
Now we enter into a realm where the lines of responsibility may become blurred.  Perhaps the DM should not have let the person dive or taken them on the dive? Perhaps the operator should not have let them on the boat? Perhaps the divers buddy should have said something or maybe other divers on the boat who may have known of the lack of training or skill level of the diver? In any case the results do not change.  A diver is hurt or dead.

This sport is fun, exciting, educational, relaxing, and if practiced within the limits of one’s training and experience- SAFE.  BUT to go beyond one’s experience level, training, and even comfort level, too fast or too far is inviting disaster.  Every instructor should impart to their students that this sport can kill and do it in some very nasty ways.

But do you really know how serious these things are?  Do you realize what happens when a lung rips and air rushes into the chest cavity or sack around the heart and bloody froth comes out of the mouth.  Or an air bubble enters the blood stream and travels to the brain resulting in a condition similar to a stroke with all the after affects of a stroke such as paralysis, loss of memory, loss of muscle control, and death.

Who is responsible for an occurrence like this? Unless there is an underlying medical condition, THE DIVER IS! They were told not to hold their breath but did anyway, why? Maybe they panicked.  But if they panicked why did they panic?  Who is responsible for that?  In this instructor’s opinion it falls on the instructor to test the student with tasks that will help to determine the students’ tendency to panic.  What these tasks would be will undoubtedly vary with agency, instructor, and student.  They need not be dangerous or complex.  But simple task loading exercises such as having the student remove and replace a mask several times while swimming if this appears to be an issue with them.  In short what appears to give them difficulty should be repeated until the tendency to react with panic, apprehension, or nervousness is no longer apparent.  It also falls on the instructor to teach the Panic Cycle.  What it is, how it occurs, and how to break it.  This needs to be taught in the Open Water Class.

Maybe the diver was ok until they hit OW and became nervous.  But if they said nothing of their apprehension then that was the divers fault.  If they communicated their nervousness and the instructor did the dive anyway then that falls on the instructor.  Should the student become so nervous that the instructor feels additional time is needed, certification should be withheld until the training is complete.  If this results in the student losing interest or deciding not to dive it may be for the best.  In the long run it would be better for them to lose a little time and money as opposed to getting seriously injured or worse.  But once out of training it is the diver’s responsibility to dive or not dive.

When a diver, for whatever reason, elects to do a dive beyond their level of training and experience and this is known to the operator, DM, boat captain, or instructor who may be guiding but not instructing on the dive, they should not let the diver dive or insist that they be accompanied by a DM or other pro.  But even then, had the diver received proper training in the first place it is likely they would have enough sense to follow that training and not do the dive without making arrangements for further instruction or a guide.

The instructor is responsible for making sure that the diver knows exactly what could happen to him/her regardless if it results in a diver perhaps electing not to continue training.  If the diver does elect to go on then it should be made clear to them that they are responsible for all aspects of their diving from the time they receive their card.

The DM on the boat does not plan your dives.  They give a briefing on the site, emergency procedures, boat etiquette, and times allotted for the dive.  They may even get in the water.  Many times they do not.  In any case no matter what you may hear or assume, THE DM IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for keeping you safe!  Neither is your buddy!  You are.

If you are not comfortable with this stay out of the water!  If you are not comfortable with being responsible for yourself your training was seriously lacking, you were not paying attention in class, or you need more time in the pool and should not be diving in open water.  At this point it is your responsibility to go to the instructor and communicate your concerns.  Or to communicate to your buddy that you are not comfortable with the dive.  Choosing the right dive buddy is also your responsibility.  My buddy below I met the day before our ice dives but I knew by talking to her that we were going to be ok.  We had similar philosophies and were both experienced instructors.

It is my contention that once a diver is certified he/she is responsible for their own safety and then that of their buddy.  Divers look out for themselves so that they can look out for their buddy.  To turn students loose in the water less than capable, with the idea that they will find out they need more training and come back to learn what should be basic skills, is a disgrace and a clear demonstration of greed.  To certify less than capable divers with the idea that they will be diving with a DM/Guide/Instructor anyway is no less a travesty.

Dive ops that allow unqualified divers to do dives beyond their ability are a disgrace to the industry.  It would be better to choose more benign sites or require the divers pay for a personal guide or instructor than risk the headache of a coroner’s inquest or police investigation.  Not to mention the personal injury lawyers that seem to come out of the woodwork looking to make a quick buck from others tragedies.  Being that there really is no governing body that regulates the industry, and should not be, it is up to the industry itself to insure that ONLY properly trained and qualified people are in the water.

It is up to the diver to decide how much training they wish to get.  It is up to them to do some research to find the best fit for them.  They should spend at least as much time as they would choosing a new car.  It really does come down to the potential diver to decide what their life is worth.  And decide just how much training they feel is needed to preserve their safety.

And what are we doing when we dive? Playing in the water? Swimming around underwater without having to surface as often? Seeing cool new stuff? Doing something different than a lot of other people? Yes to all of this.  But we are also doing this.  We are entering an alien environment that is normally hostile to human life without mechanical means.  We cannot breathe underwater.  We rely on a few pieces of metal and plastic to keep us alive by allowing us to breathe a finite amount of air that we must also carry.  Sounds a little more serious that way doesn’t it.  Did your instructor point it out that way to you? Chances are they did not.  Why not? It might have caused you to rethink this whole business.  If so, GOOD!

This is not a game.  Your life depends on the training you receive, the decisions you make based on that training, and the decisions you make after training.  You, the diver are responsible for your own safety regardless of what anyone else says.  Your buddy could get lost, the DM may get hurt, lost, or busy with another diver.  If an issue occurs, no one but you will be there to save your ass! Think about that! You may need to save your own life.  If that does not make you rethink the idea of who is responsible for your safety you might want think about finding another activity.  It is not fair to your buddy, the DM, the captain, the op, or the resort to make them responsible for your life.

The boat is a taxi to get you to and from the site safely.  The driver is no more responsible for you when you step off than the taxi driver who drops you at a hotel.  You would not sue the taxi company if you exited the cab, walked into your destination, and fell down a flight of steps.

The op has no way of determining your comfort level in the water if they did not train you.  They assume since you have a card or a referral that you are ready to dive or do your checkouts.  If they want to take you to 100 feet on your first dives and you say ok and then die who is at fault? Did they hold a gun to your head and force you to dive? Did you exercise the option to say no that you can do at anytime? And the resort is a place to eat, sleep, and relax.  They have only your word that you are a qualified diver.

The cave community has rule that any diver can end a dive at any time with no explanation given.  Once the signal is given the dive is over.  Period.  End of discussion.  Too bad this is not passed on in many OW classes.  Peer pressure, money, wishing to not look bad, all seem to take the place of intelligence and common sense.  Divers seem to not realize how a new environment or type of dive can change things.  It has not been adequately instilled in them that this is serious business and not as easy as many of us make it appear.  Years of training and experience have taught us that nothing should be taken for granted.  Experienced divers know that no matter how many dives they have done, how many times they have been to the same site, or how many times they have made it home safe, there is always that one time where a small error in judgment, lack of attention to a particular detail, or a change in conditions may result in them being seriously injured or killed.

Good instructors make sure that this is part of the training of new divers.  Skills are done over and over until they become as much instinct as anything else.  My greatest reward as an instructor is to task a student and see them react to a distraction or outside stimulus as a minor inconvenience instead of a big problem to the skill they are doing.  I had a student go from being unable to breathe from a reg with their mask off, without water going up their nose, to doing a no mask swim two lengths of the pool and then do a scuba bailout with absolutely no issues at all.  This did not happen overnight and was the result of much hard work on their part, patience on mine, a clear understanding of the skill to be done and WHAT COULD HAPPEN if they were to have their mask kicked off at 50 feet and they freaked.  The last had the biggest effect in them working through the urge to freak and finding out it’s not that bad.  Once a break through such as this occurs the student inevitably makes progress at a faster rate.  Why? They have shown themselves that problems can be worked through when they have received the proper training, worked through an actual issue, and as a result have more confidence and are more comfortable in the water.

This is another diver responsibility.  Developing a sense of confidence and comfort.  These two items are essential to diver safety.  They are not usually immediate but developed over time through not only training but experience.  The diver has a responsibility to themselves to keep their skills current and their knowledge up to date.  Not only as regards diving, but their knowledge of dive sites, resorts, and operations should not be left to a third party.  Questions about safety, practices, procedures, and even staff should be the norm.  Management changes, staff rotations, new dive sites, and sometimes boats change from one year to the next.  Never take for granted that XYZ op is the same as it was last year.

To do so and then find out upon arrival that nothing is the same is not the resorts fault if it presents an inconvenience or challenge to the diver.  Dive planning, when taught properly, is not only about getting in the water.  It may involve the flight, the transportation to the resort, the hotel arrangements, etc.  You need to be aware of this and plan accordingly.

Confidence is gained by working thru task loading scenarios or situations by degree.  It is not to be confused with bravado.  One who does all the necessary checks, has the right equipment, and does a 100 foot dive right out of open water class is not confident- he is a fool.  This type of person has little regard for rules, recommended procedures and safety, and is a danger to himself and every diver in the area.  The diver who does all the same things BUT does the 100 foot after further training, making a number of dives to ever increasing depths over a period of time, and taking time to learn from those dives demonstrates true confidence based on training, experience, and knowledge of their abilities.  This is the kind of diver who other divers benefit from.  They also have gained the knowledge that gives them a sense of comfort and allows them to dive relaxed and in control.  As a result, by them taking responsibility for themselves they are more relaxed, more knowledgeable, and ultimately the kind of safe diver that others look to as examples of what to do right.

Taking responsibility for yourself therefore not only makes you safer but someone other divers enjoy diving with results in a true sense of accomplishment. For more on responsibility and buddy skills see my book: SCUBA: A Practical Guide for the New Diver which will be released in March of 2011 and be available from www.udmaquatics.com

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Generally scuba diving is not considered a dangerous sport. Of course, it’s a bit riskier than, for example, tennis or golf, but it’s far safer than zip lining or parachute jumping. Today you can easily find good modern scuba diving equipment that is reliable and will protect you from many dangers. Add the proper training, responsibility and sensibility – and you’ve almost nothing to be afraid of.

But of course, there are some dangers and risks involved in scuba diving. Some of those dangers lie within the diver, and the others lie the ocean and the environment. It’s very important to be informed about those risks and dangers and learn the ways to avoid them. Here are some tips that can help you:

1. Learn as much as you can about underwater, about the marine life in the area and about all possible dangers. Current info about weather forecast and the water conditions will also be very useful.

2. Diving alone isn’t quite a good idea, so it’s always better to dive with an experienced partner.

3. Always plan your dive ahead, and do everything according to your plan.

4. Check all your equipment before diving, make sure everything works properly. When everything is checked, recheck it.

5. Never drink alcohol before diving. It can cause many problems by affecting your blood pressure and your ability to think clearly.

6. If you have any health problems or are taking any medicine, consult your doctor before diving and dive only if the doctor says it’s safe for you.

7. Don’t hold your breath while diving. Try to breathe normally and descend slowly. Fast breathing can also harm you and your lungs.

8. Don’t panic under water. If any problem occurs, try to calm down and analyze everything. You can also ask your partner for help (that’s why I said it’s good to dive with a partner).

9. Many people think sharks are the main danger under water. It’s not really so, since shark attacks on divers are very, very rare, and if you dive in safe areas, you’ll probably be OK.

10. Never touch unknown plants, coral reefs or animals – they can be poisonous. If you get scratched or bitten by some animal or fish, return to the surface immediately and turn to a doctor.

11. If you’re not feeling well after diving, go to a doctor at once.

12. After diving, don’t fly for at least 12-24 hours.

There are many other dangers under water, so you should read as much as you can to keep your information up-to-date. Remember, most problems, injuries and deaths happen to those who were not well educated and were not ready to face the problems.

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In my experience as a diver and now Open Water Scuba Instructor it has come to my attention that many divers possess less than optimal skills when it comes to the area of navigation under water. What I hope to convey through this article is to simply address the benefits of developing the skill, pass on some tips as to how this can be done, offer advice on practicing the skill, address the safety concerns, and make using Underwater Navigation fun. If these items are addressed and convince divers to develop the skill it will have served its purpose. If nothing else I hope it will at least get divers to think more about how it can benefit them and instructors to address it to a greater degree than they do now.

When I first got certified as an Open Water Diver there was another diver who was going thru his Divemaster internship. One of his tasks was to lead me on an underwater tour. This was on my first dive post checkouts and leading up to AOW. We were diving the same spot that I had during checkouts. The difference was instead of following the lines we followed a compass and natural features course that he knew well. During that dive we used buoyancy control, he had me monitor our depth, note features, and most of all stay in proper position for ease of communication and in case one of us would need any type of assistance. What stuck with me though was his seemingly uncanny sense of direction. We went on a swim of nearly 45 minutes in 10-15 foot vis and came back to within a few yards of our starting point. This has stuck with me throughout my diving career and influenced much of my learning.

First of all what it did was give me an example of what kind of proficiency is possible if you work at it. This can be applied to any skill set. Next it demonstrated the value of mastering buoyancy control as on several legs we swam back along a reciprocal course and had we not been in good trim and using anti-silting kicks we would have had serious difficulties. And it also clearly demonstrated the value of swimming slowly, taking our time, and not rushing around using up air, missing landmarks, or overshooting distances. All of these benefits are available to any diver who wishes to work for them. And all are a result of striving to improve Underwater Navigation skills.

Let’s begin with the basics. There are generally two types of navigation used by recreational or open water divers, compass and natural. Natural is actually a subjective term since much of what divers use for natural features may actually be manmade or deliberately placed. Lines in quarries from platforms to boats or markers are actually used to aid navigation. They help divers find their way yet do not often require a compass. Compass navigation while taking a bit of skill and practice is not difficult. Although like my early mentor there are divers who make it look like magic. In order to be effective at underwater navigation we need to have a few other things in place first. Being really comfortable in the water is one, some experience with dive planning, and most importantly good buoyancy control and trim. As seen below in the divers using natural navigation while maintaining optimal position for communication.

Let’s take a brief look at these before getting into actual techniques and the real benefits of being a successful navigator. Comfort in the water is often taken for granted by divers with some experience. And frankly it should also not be an issue for new divers. Unfortunately we all know that this is not always the case. When we introduce a new task to a diver, being comfortable in the water goes a long way towards achieving success at that task. Every diver should take the steps necessary to feel comfortable in the environment. It is the duty of every conscientious instructor to see to it that the diver they issue a certification card to have the necessary level of comfort in the water to successfully plan, execute, and return from a dive.

Like diver comfort, the ability to plan a dive is in the basic description of every agency when it comes to the open water diver. It is commonly stated as the ability to “plan, execute, and return from a dive with a buddy of equal skill and training in conditions equal to or better than that in which they’ve been trained without the assistance of a dive professional”. We all know that this is too often not the case with newly certified divers. So how can we use underwater navigation to aid the new diver? It is my opinion that by introducing and offering the skill sets needed in UW Navigation we not only can encourage the new diver to improve their skills overall, but add to their confidence level. These can not help but have the effect of increasing their overall comfort. It is my contention that we not look at Underwater Navigation as simply a course in itself. I like to look at it as a way to improve every aspect of the dive experience. By simply being able to find your way to one point and return to your starting point you utilize more than just a compass, line, or a few features. The diver is required to use good dive planning, buddy skills, buoyancy control, and gas management. In short a good navigation course can greatly add to every facet of a diver’s skills!

Now what does a good navigation course consist of. Nearly every certification agency offers a course in underwater navigation. Some are more extensive than others but all contain some basic items in common. These include using a compass, using natural features, discussing some hazards and obstacles, measuring distances, and the dives themselves. These can vary in number and duration but are usually in the range or 3-4 dives. While this is usually sufficient to impart the basics it is often done without assessing the divers other skills. If one, for instance, has poor buoyancy control none of these dives will result in the student actually getting the full benefit of the exercise. One of the things I recommend to those wishing to take a Navigation course is to take an honest look at their basic skills. Mainly in these areas:

1.     Buoyancy control. What used to be taken for a basic skill is now often overlooked in OW classes. For this reason it pays to take an honest look at how well you are able to control your place in the water column. If for example you are still having issues with using lung volume to adjust your depth then perhaps you need to work on that before undertaking a serious Navigation course. In order to successfully navigate over a silty bottom or one with many obstacles you do not need to be grabbing your inflator every two seconds. By mastering using breath control to make these adjustments you actually reduce the amount of task loading. One of the best ways to manage task loading is to reduce the number of tasks you need to manage. Practicing good buoyancy control should ideally begin the first night in the pool on scuba. If it does not what often happens is that bad habits begin to form and once they do it takes real effort to break them. Proper weighting, another skill set that should be introduced in OW class is essential to buoyancy control.

2.     Trim. Trim goes hand in hand with buoyancy control when it comes to successful navigation techniques. Ideally a diver is horizontal in the water with the feet slightly elevated. Using either a modified frog kick or frog kick. In this posture they are able to swim and not disturb the bottom. This is very handy for divers behind them and when they need to retrace their course. If you are not able to hold good trim, as with buoyancy, getting the most from a good nav course will be seriously hindered. An honest assessment by an instructor or an experienced diver with good trim is the best way to determine your level of proficiency when it comes to trim. As with buoyancy control, weighting is also critical but here positioning of the weights is as critical as the amount.

3.     Propulsion techniques. For most recreational diving the standard flutter kick is sufficient. As long as the diver remains a reasonable distance from the bottom. When we actually begin to get serious with navigation it is frequently not the best choice. When using natural features especially where the bottom is used as one of the features, the flutter or scissor kick is more of a hindrance than a help. It is here that the frog or modified frog is the best choice. If you have not found your “inner frog” as yet now is the time to do so. Not only does a good frog kick result in less disturbance of the bottom but it is easier on the legs. Practice with the kick will also result in the diver being able to maintain a steady pace for longer distances which is a key aspect of navigation under water.

4.     Turning Underwater. Turning underwater goes along with propulsion techniques as a skill useful for navigation. When doing squares, triangles, or reciprocal courses the technique known as a helicopter turn saves time, reduces effort, and helps to keep turns more accurate. A helicopter turn also eliminates the need to get vertical in order to make a turn as many are taught to do. By simply moving one ankle a diver can rotate about a fixed point and therefore keep in trim and stay focused on his/her compass. Making course changes more accurate and easier.

5.     Pace. The pace at which you swim can make or break a navigation exercise. Hopefully you were told over and over that under water it is not a race. When you have your kick down and begin to use it on a regular basis you will begin to swim at a pace that is comfortable, affords good control, and is easy to maintain. It will also likely be a less than flat out sprint. By slowing down and being aware of your speed and at what speed you are able to perform basic tasks you will adopt and use this. One other major factor in the pace of the dive is the speed of your buddy. Ideally it was also stressed that the slowest diver sets the pace of the dive. Period. End of discussion. If you and your buddy are constantly playing catch up it is difficult to successfully work as a team. And Navigation is a team skill as much as it is an individual skill.

6.     Position. When divers are navigating as a buddy pair or team the position of the divers becomes another important part of the exercise. Ideally they should be in such a position as to make it a matter of a slight turn of the head to know where each person is. By having the divers in such a position it is easier to concentrate on the actual task of navigation, communicate with each other, and lessen the chance of diver separation. It is also important when diving as a team in proper position to determine who will be doing what tasks. For example if the diver using the compass will initiate turns then the other should be on whatever side will not cause a problem for the compass holder. I.e. if you are turning right the compass user will be on the right to avoid a collision.

Once you have taken a look at these areas and are satisfied with your skills in each of them it is time to start taking a look at the skills you will need to successfully begin developing your navigation skills beyond the basics. It’s at this point that you will need to work on your compass skills, observation skills, data recording, and documentation or map making skills. While all of these sound obvious they evidently are not among many recreational divers. Otherwise there would be no need to discuss the issue. Divers would be told of the importance of being able to navigate from day one. Even if they did not get all the skills in OW class they should at least be told how to use a compass and natural features to find their way around underwater. And get a chance to practice those skills on one or more of their checkout dives. Many agencies require the use of a compass on one dive and instructors will give a briefing of the site. This is usually sufficient to meet the standards of the agency but does not do a whole lot for the student as far as reinforcing the idea that UW Navigation is a very good skill to have. I actually do the following with this. I will take one dive, give the students a heading and allow them to lead me on the dive. This reinforces the idea of compass skills being important and gives them a real chance to see for themselves.

Once we have established these basic skills, UW Navigation is a relatively simple matter to teach. The most common methods of navigation we can ask of students are compass, and of course natural. Taking compass first there are only a few fundamental skills they need to use in the beginning.

They include holding the compass level, knowing how to read it, how to set a course, change a course, and actually trust the compass. For natural navigation the skills of observation, recording of details, and knowledge of the environment are the most commonly used and needed. If we take each by itself they can also impart valuable lessons that will benefit the overall skill of the diver. Let’s look at each one.

1.     Holding the compass. Depending on the type of compass used there are a few ways to hold it. How depends on a few things such as is the compass in wrist mount, console, or on a retractor. It may even be mounted on a slate. No matter the type of mount the primary thing to keep in mind is to hold the compass level. Not holding it level can result it the needle or compass card getting stuck and giving a false reading. There are compasses that are supposed to be accurate even though held at up to a 30 degree angle. Regardless of this not holding it level is a bad habit to get into. Because at some time you will get a compass that cannot be tilted like this and the course you take will be off. Holding it level is accomplished in several different ways. First is the two hand method in which the console, or compass if using a retractor, slate, or module itself, is cupped and the elbows tucked in tight to the body. Holding the compass in this manner allows one to keep the lubber line in line with the body. It also necessitates the use of good buoyancy control and horizontal trim. Another method with a wrist mount is usually taught by extending the arm the compass is not on in front of the body, and grasping just behind the elbow to form a right angle. The compass/lubber line is then again in line with the body. But if the divers buoyancy and trim are off then again the course will not be accurate. A big benefit of using these methods is it requires the diver to work on his/her buoyancy and trim. Something that is all too often lacking in new divers today.

2.     How to read a compass. A compass is read by looking at it from the top or by using the sight window if it is so equipped. We read it by setting a heading and lining up the point of the needle in between the reference marks. Sounds simple, and it is. By itself. But when we are also required to monitor depth, time, air pressure, and perhaps natural features it becomes a real exercise in task loading. As such there are number of real benefits to the divers other skills. In addition to the previously mentioned buoyancy and trim we are now required to maintain a steady pace, swim without rocking from side to side, and have more situational awareness. One way to do this is to add to our resources by using our dive buddy to handle some of these tasks. In doing this we gain the added benefit of improving our buddy skills. Again we all too often see buddies who are no more than same ocean/lake/quarry buddies. They do not swim together or at the same pace. Beginning in OW class they hear about the buddy system but they are not required or even shown how to properly implement it. By practicing UW Navigation their skills in the area of diving with a buddy are improved.

3.     How to set a course. Setting a course is another relatively simple matter. You take a heading as noted previously and maintain it. When actually setting the heading though there are a few things to consider in conjunction with your buddy. First of all is whose compass do you use. Compasses can vary by up to 10 degrees in their readings. If both are using their own then this needs to be determined before setting out on a course. To do this take a bearing on a fixed point on the surface and compare readings. Do this for several points to be sure of the deviation if any. Then select the course or point you wish to find and decide who will do the navigating and who will monitor the other key factors of the dive. It is best to choose one compass and stay with that throughout the dive. The chief benefit of doing this is that it improves the communication skills of the divers in addition to their navigation skills.

4.     Changing a course- Changing a course is another skill that when done properly results in greater accuracy and less stress on the divers. This has the tendency to result in better air consumption and less effort. Changing course properly starts before the dive even begins. The buddy pair or team will decide on the objective, note when course chances are to be made, decide on positioning, and execute the dive. To do proper course changes with a minimum of deviation it will be necessary to master swimming pace, and precise turns. Also called helicopter turns these are used by tech/cave/wreck divers to navigate tight spaces without causing silting. They are just as useful for recreational divers and simple to learn with a minimum amount of instruction from an instructor or mentor who is well versed in them. They as well require good buoyancy and trim and once mastered have the same benefits as previously mentioned with the added benefit of being able to maneuver with great precision. When a diver is able to execute good helicopter turns changing course is easy. When turning to the right we add to our original heading and turning left we subtract. To make 90 degree right turn from a 130 degree heading we reach the turn point, in a horizontal position we stop, turn the compass to the new heading of 220 degrees, and execute the turn remaining horizontal and in good trim. Practicing these turns along with the other skills has the potential to turn an average diver into an exceptional one with buoyancy and trim skills far above what is many times encountered.

5.     Trusting the compass. This last skill in compass navigation is often the most difficult to master and usually takes the most practice. Many of us believe we have an “internal compass” that seems to really kick in when we actually need it the least. Such as when we are midway through a dive and another diver ruins the visibility by stirring up the bottom. We know we should trust the compass but after swimming for what seems too long and not seeing what we expect we begin to doubt it. Then the internal kicks in and says “dummy, you must have been off by a few degrees!” So we turn this way, then that way, the in an effort to settle it once and for all, perhaps we surface, locate our exit point or point of interest and find out that had we stayed on the compass course for another few kick cycles we would have been right where we wanted to be. What happens here is that we fall back on a basic idea that our senses are more reliable than a mechanical device. This is not at all exclusive to use of a compass or even diving. What we need to work on is the ability to trust something outside our selves to aid us in task. The benefit of this in other areas is that we develop a degree of comfort with our abilities. This translates into again diver confidence, comfort, and safety. It also teaches the diver to rely on his or her equipment which requires the diver to become more familiar with it.

Natural Navigation is similar to compass navigation except that the tool we use is the actual underwater environment itself. As stated earlier natural is a subjective term because the “natural” features we may use could have been placed, abandoned, or otherwise deposited by man. In any case what are required for natural navigation are some new abilities in addition to those used in compass navigation. Noteworthy of these are the following. The ability to record or other wise recall details, choose points of interest, and document the site. As we did with compass navigation we will look at each of these in turn and assess their overall benefits beyond navigating a course.

1: Record and recall details. When we use natural navigation we need to pay attention to details as these are the items we will use to find our way back to our entry point. But simply paying attention is not enough. We must have some way to recall these details. If we were not task loaded enough with just the act of being underwater on scuba we now have to contend with multiple points, in a specific order to allow us to return to our starting point or to find a specific point or location. This is mentally possible for some people, especially after a bit of practice, but in the beginning actually recording these details are the best method. As we all know there are different ways to record such items. We can use a slate or wetnotes. Whatever method we choose we need to realize we may only have limited space and time to record these details. As such we must choose a way to make notes that are clear, concise, and above all, brief. There is no set way to do this. It is up to the individual diver or team to determine the words, symbols, characters, or pictures you will use to do this. Once you have selected a method stick with it. Become proficient in its use and make use of it whenever possible. By doing this you will develop a routine that will reinforce other things you need to do on a regular basis. Equipment checks, weight and bubble checks, and planning the overall dive are all necessary for successful diving. When we establish routines they become instinctual and second nature. The result of this is a safer dive due to greater attention to the details that make a safe dive.

2: Choosing points of interest. Once you select a method to record details and points of interest you now need to actually decide what points to select. There are so many variables here due to location, conditions, the availability of actual points, etc. So what are some general guidelines we can use when selecting features? In general we want to pick objects that first of all are stationary! If it moves it may move between the time we select it and the time we come back. This is not a good thing! There are times when a non stationary object may be used if we can be sure that it will be there when we get back. Such an occasion may be when there are no other divers in the water and we ourselves place some type of marker to use as a reference. But usually we do not do this. Now the features we select can be truly natural ones or those that have in some way been placed by man or the elements. In any case we need to consider some other factors in addition to the object staying put. We need to be sure we can distinguish the object upon our return. This means choosing truly distinctive ones and once selecting them looking at them from the angle we will be returning to them! In fact we need to look at them from every angle if there are other similar features such as coral heads, tree stumps, etc. The benefit of doing this is that it increases our situational awareness, observation skills, and sharpens our senses. This in turn leads to greater safety in the water and again increased confidence and comfort. This brain coral would make an excellent reference as it sits on a nice sandy spot by itself and would be easy to relocate.

3: Documenting the site. When I speak of documenting the site I am talking about map making. Map making need not be elaborate or a work of art. It needs to be legible, clear, concise, and above all usable by all who intend to use it. Creating a map is done by first using the details we have recorded, getting an overall view of the site sketched out, and combining the information. Once we have done the initial map we now need to augment it by adding details. We do this by returning and diving the site over an over. Each time we add details by changing our course just a bit. The more we do this the more detailed the map becomes. The more detailed the greater the knowledge of the site. The benefit to our other skills is as already stated in addition to more time underwater. This gives us the opportunity to improve our basic skills, propulsion, buoyancy, and trim. In short we dive more and stay sharp.

We could at this point begin to cover in detail the many different ways to navigate a course and actually do an exercise using them. But that is not the point of this presentation. I hope that by covering the things I did that I gave you food for thought. That you now have some idea of the benefits of using underwater navigation and perhaps taking a good Underwater Navigation class. Not only will you improve your navigation skills but by doing so improve your overall dive skills and adding to your confidence, comfort, enjoyment, and most of all safety.

By James A Lapenta SEI Instructor #204

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Scuba diving is a real joy for the people who like to lead extreme and interesting lifestyle full of fearful and dangerous moments. However, the reality is that not every man can lead such a lifestyle and not every man can become a scuba diver.

In order to be a good scuba diver one should be very healthy. That is perhaps the main demand of scuba diving. Living under the water is more difficult than living on the Earth. The organisms of people who have health problems may not access that kind of living conditions.

People who have heart and breathing problems shouldn’t dive no matter what equipment they may wear. It can really be very dangerous.

However, if you think you can’t do without it, and are eager to witness the beauty of the other world, consult a doctor and dive only if you are allowed to.

Now I want to turn to young, healthy and energetic scuba divers. Are you eager to learn more scuba diving tricks? Do you think my tips can be valuable and useful while diving? Then go on reading this entry, the main purpose of which is to make your dive an easy and enjoyable thing.

Scuba diving has gained such a great popularity only in recent years, and that is why not many people are aware of the secrets of scuba diving.

Know that no matter whether you are an experienced diver or just a starter you should treat seriously every dive. No diver should feel casual about the diving activity. This can be named the golden rule of all the divers.

Each diver should himself make the activity safe and secure. The combination of fitness, serious attitude towards the procedure, self-reliance, diving tricks as well as experience and equipment will be the insurer of safe scuba diving.

Fitness: Fitness is the guarantee for a comfortable and enjoyable dive. Always take care to check yourself fully before diving. I mean checking not only your physical state but also your equipment. Many professionalized divers ignore this, but this check-up is really crucially important. Never overestimate your power. If you feel a little bit sick, do not dive. In case you feel some sickness when already in water stop diving and ascend to the surface. It’s not about being a hero; it’s about your health.

Always have some signal device with you, especially if you are diving in difficult areas. Many unexpected things may happen. You’ll need the device especially when you are far from your diver-friends.

It is a must for every diver to think quickly and wisely. Conditions under the water may change very quickly and you should know how to orientate yourself immediately. The truth is that only a healthy and fit diver can think and orient quickly.

Attitude: As I have already mentioned it doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced diver or just a beginner you should give great importance to the whole procedure. Such are scuba diving rules. Besides watchfulness and sense of responsibility towards oneself, a diver should elaborate the goals and motives of his diving. It’s very interesting and, why not, essential to set personal records and try to reach them.

A diver should not only physically but also psychologically be ready for the dive. If you have fears about underwater environment, do not dive alone. It’s much more interesting to dive with a group. You’ll more easily overcome your fears when there are people around you. Your unpleasant feelings will immediately disappear the moment you find fun in the dive. But if you feel pressured and uncomfortable under the water stop diving.

Self-reliance: As all divers assert, it’s a real pleasure to dive with a group. But remember, each one is responsible for oneself. You can rely on others’ help, but never fully. Do not dive, especially in dangerous and complicated areas, if you are not sure about your diving abilities. In order to be self-reliant you should thoroughly check your diving equipment before getting involved in the activity. Take care not to miss any element of the equipment. As you know there are different types of scuba diving. You should necessarily be geared up appropriate to the dive you are involved in.

Do not compare yourself with your diver-buddies. Never follow anyone to the places you don’t want to dive. Make decisions yourself.

While diving make pauses to regain your energy. Don’t let yourself get tired. It spoils the whole diving impression. Try to stay as fresh and energetic as possible. Only in that case you’ll feel the real attraction of scuba diving.

If you feel comfortable, healthy and energetic while diving, you’ll also have time to shoot photos of your adventures, as making photos is one of the most interesting things in scuba diving.

A wise diver would never ignore the above mentioned. If you’d like to be a good diver try to follow these few and simple tips.

Now are you ready for the dive? Great! I wish you unforgettable and adventurous moments under the water.

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Scuba Diving safety tips according Padi

“A danger foreseen is half avoided”

• Divers should limit their depths according to their training, certification level, and experience.
• Regardless of level of training, any increase in diving depth should be incremental.
• Further training and/or supervision is needed when diving in a new type of environment.
• Avoid overweighting; carry out a buoyancy check whenever using new equipment.
• Remember to reduce weighting when going from salt to fresh water.
• Ensure that all weight systems used have a quick release and that each buddy is familiar with its operation.
• Always review emergency procedures prior to each dive.
• Have regular medical checkups and stay in shape for diving.
• If surface conditions, currents, or visibility deteriorate, consider aborting a dive.
• Consult tide tables where appropriate and seek local advice on prevailing diving conditions.
• Use surface marker buoys and ascent/descent lines wherever appropriate.
• Always inform a non-diver where you are going and when you expect to return.

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All good things come to an end, and at some point your dive will be over. Ascending at the end of a dive should be carried out with great care. This is the part of the dive where decompression sickness can develop, so your ascent must not be hurried.

When to ascend ?

Dives often end when you reach a prearranged time to surface, either to meet the boat cover or to account for changing tides. However, you may decide to ascend before this if the site proves uninteresting, or if you or your buddy are cold or tired. You may also be forced to ascend if you have only 725 psi (50 bar ) left in your tank, if you are making a decompression dive and reach the scheduled minimum volume of air in your tank, or if problems cause you to abort the dive.

Before ascent, you and your buddy should signal the “thumbs up” to each other that you are both able and ready to ascend to the surface. If possible, avoid making a “free ascent,” with no visual reference to guide you. If you can follow a reef wall or a permanent mooring line, for example, this will give you a natural sense of your ascent rate, in addition to your computer readings, and can help avoid disorientation. Sometimes, though, it is not possible to ascend up a line or along a natural feature, and it can be helpful to deploy a delayed surface marker buoy ( DSMB ) this will give you a vertical reference and also signals your position at the surface. Ideally, both members of the buddy pair should carry a DSMB. If you are diving on a wreck or a site with a guideline, aim to get back to the line for your ascent—not only will boat cover know where to pick you up at the surface, but the line will assist you in making decompression stops and, in a current, can provide something to hold on to. If you do not manage to get back to the guideline, send up a DSMB.

Making your ascent

To start your ascent, slowly breathe in or let a little air into your BC—this should cause you to rise up. Rise up next to, and ideally face-to-face with, your buddy so that you can check each other’s rate of ascent and condition. As ascent continues, carefully monitor the amount of air in your BC (and drysuit if relevant)—the air will expand as the pressure decreases during your ascent, causing your rate of ascent to increase rapidly. Keep one hand on the BC exhaust hose in order to vent air from it as you ascend. You may also need to dump air from your drysuit. You can fin to assist your ascent, especially to gain momentum to begin with, but this will not be necessary if you are correctly weighted and positively buoyant. Keep breathing normally and do not hold your breath. A conservative estimate of a safe rate
of ascent is 50 ft (15 m) per minute (or slower) up to 16 ft (5 m) in depth. At this point many divers make a 3-minute safety stop. Whether you do or not, the last 16 ft (5 m) to the surface should take another full minute. If making a decompression dive, make all your scheduled safety stops and check with your buddy as you do so.

Essential Tips

Always monitoring a dive computer. Dive computers help the diver judge ascent rate. Some devices give audible warnings if safe limits are exceeded.

Signaling to ascend. To ask your buddy if they are ready to ascend, or  to signal your intent, raise your thumb (common underwater sign). Many amateur divers thinks that thumbs up means OK , in languauge of scuba diving it is  simply a signal to ascend

Buddy pair ascending a guideline. A buoyed line moored to a wreck or seabed feature offers one of the safest guides for an ascent, especially in a strong current.

Following a slope. Ascending next to a natural feature, such as a reef, offers a reassuring reference point.

Making a safety stop. Divers make a precautionary safety stop at 16 ft (5 m) to allow nitrogen to exit the body’s tissues at a safe rate.

Deploying an inflatable buoy. Await recovery at the surface from your boat cover, which will have sighted the buoy at the start of your ascent. The buoy should be left in its inflated state until you have been recovered.

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Scuba Diving Knives are important safety tools for divers and not tools for self-defense. They are not designed for struggling against sharks or with any other marine animal. A divers knife is an essential safety tool that a diver carries just in case the need may arise to cut through an entanglement ( and not cut the corals ) .

Because these knives are always being used in underwater environment, blades are usually made of stainless steel or titanium.
Diver’s knife is usually small in size and because their main goal is to be able to cut lines or ropes.

A dive knife must have a sheath for mounting it on your scuba gear or on your body body. The sheath should keep your knife securely also it should be located in a such way which will let you to get it easily with use of one of your hands , for example on the leg ( inside of the shin ) or on the Buoyancy compensator. Many Buoyancy compensators have special holes for mounting sheath (as shown).

According to an old maritime tradition scuba diving knives must be made blunt , as it does not affects its properties as a knife, but greatly reduces the risk of injury or accidental damage to the equipment under the water.

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The existing global statistics about attacks of sharks are not entirely reliable as It has been changed significantly over the past decade. If we talk about the average value, then it is about nine unprovoked shark attacks per year. Slightly less than 20% of them are fatal cases.

In other words, a few million dives per annum with less than two fatal accidents because of shark attack. Deaths caused by lightning strikes are much more likely and I’m not talking about deaths caused from car accidents, but everyday we drive car not fearing about death, right?

In addition I want to add that there are areas where the chance of being attacked by shark is higher than in other places. The most frequent cases of attacks occurred on the continental shelf of the USA (mainly Florida and California), Australia, as well as two-thirds of the coast of South Africa.

Sharks are one the most mysterious creatures of Ocean waters and still there are many thing which are not even investigated. They exist for over ten million years and during this period they changed very little.

There are about 370 varieties of sharks, ranging from 15 cm (Dwarf Lanternfish aka Etmopterus perryi ) and reaching up to 13 m ( Whale sharks ) .

Sharks are fearsome predators, with amazingly sharp sensory system. They can feel very weak electric fields, low frequency sounds (such as issued by dying or wounded animal). Sharks are able to detect the smell of single drop of blood which dissolved in million drops of water. At the same time the vision of sharks are not well developed.

Most of sharks are not dangerous for humans at all. There are only about 42 species of sharks which have ever been detected during attacks. Mostly attacks occur with presence of Great White Shark (call me crazy, but I adore this animal). According to ocean researchers, these sharks are often taking people for seals (their traditional food). In fact, people are not “good choice” for them. They pay much more attention to animal with rich fat such as seals and sea lions. After the Great White Sharks, Tiger and Bull sharks are leading.

Attacks mainly occur from the bottom or from rear, thus sharks are not visible by diver. But if the diver is able to see the shark, he can understand sharks intention from its be. Usually nervous shark is S-bending his body while swimming: Curving it’s back, pectorals descent, the tail fin is straining, sometimes (rarely) it is possible fluctuation of head from side to side.

What to do when a shark becomes aggressive

If you see a shark, who have taken the above posture, try to go back to the boat, if it is possible, if no, slowly go to the bottom, or push yourself to the wall reef.

If a shark is approaching very close to you, let the train of bubbles from your scuba gear directly on the fish, as well try to scream.

If nothing helps and shark still approaching you, try to hit its face, but only if you have gloves on hands or any solid object (eg, camera). The skin of many sharks is very rough and can easily make your hand to bleed ( there no need to describe what will happen in that case )
How to avoid shark attacks

You can reduce the already tiny chance of an attack by following these simple tips

* Do not dive in places where there fishing is taking place, particularly near the submarine hunters. Diving seabirds are good indicators of such activities.
* Immerse with group and not alone. – Sharks most often attack lone individuals
* Do not open the deep and shallow places near stall deep.
* Avoid the water at night, dawn, or dusk – Many sharks are most active at these times and are better able to find you than you are to see them.
* Do not dive in troubled waters.
* Avoid wearing shiny jewelry and dresses with contrasting colors. – The reflected light looks like shining fish scales.
* Do not disturb sharks.
* Do not dive if you have a bleeding wound.
* Go back to the boat when the shark becomes too inquisitive or take an aggressive posture.

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Got a question from one of our female readers and decided to answer it publicly as it might be interesting for other female divers

Question

Hello sir , I’m 23 y/o female and planning to become a diver and have 2 questions which affects only female divers.

1. Is it safe to dive during menstruation, as I’ve heard some gossips that blood can attracts shark  ?
2. Also what do you think ?  Is it safe to dive during pregnancy ?

L. Monica

Dear Monica , I’ll try to shortly answer to your questions

1. It’s safe to dive during menstruation

Amount of blood during menstruation, which could appear in the water is very little. Experiments have shown that sharks did not react to the menstrual blood, as it contains a high percentage of dead cells. It turned out that only fresh blood excites the appetite of the sharks. So attracting sharks by this way you simply can’t The only thing which is worth paying attention is dehydration which is common during menstruation, but simply drinking water will prevent this problem too.

So do not worry such thing will never happen because of menstruation

What about Pregnancy

2.  Diving is not recommended during pregnancy

The opinion of all doctors in the world is same: Do not dive during pregnancy. The reason for this recommendation lies in the fact that the blood supplying oxygen to the fetus, partially bypassing the liver, and accordingly may contain a larger number of nitrogen bubbles, which may harm the developing fetus. Another aspect is that during decompression illness ( which may happen both to males and females ) patient should be entered into recompression chamber, there he/she should be treated with oxygen under high pressure and take some medicines which can harm the health of the child and lead to abortion.

But…

If the holiday was very enjoyable and successful, during that time you discovered that you are pregnant – do not worry. Diving is safe during first 2-4 weeks of pregnancy.

For the sake of justice it should be noted that such clinical studies on pregnant women never been made.

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Night Diving

       Explosion of colors of corals and sponges in the beam of underwater light, concentrating on details in a narrow range of light and meeting the active night living beings – this is the motivation of night diving.

       Night diving has well increased scale of being more risky and additional risks as: flows, penetration diving, decompression should be excluded. But the main risk in night dives is the underwater psychology, about which we wrote couple of weeks before. Diving site, equipment and underwater skills must be exactly the same as several hours earlier at the same place in the daytime. 

Planning A Night Dive 

    Dive site for the scheduled dive should be familiar from previous immersion in order to facilitate orientation. To mitigate the exposure to darkness dive must begin at dusk, even the bright moon at night is credibility with its reflected light. Requirements to the night diving site:

1. lack of surf or strong flows (stable weather, tides control);
2. sufficient visibility under the water and the absence of
obstacles, such as ropes, cables, trees or caves;
3. lack of surface activity as dredgers or traffic.
4. a reliable and safe entry and exit, without steep slopes, and islands of algae, or the bottomless pit;

 Immediately prior to diving you should thoroughly checked your and your partner’s equipment. This also applies to the illuminator, which is needed after immersion for removal of equipment.

Checklist before a night dive

  So before we start a more detailed discussion about what to do, or what not to do, let’s just go over a short checklist, which is a must to remember for everyone and in addition to the usual activities and security requirements pay special attention to the following items:

1. You know where you go! You must have dived here during daytime
2. Do not take alcohol at least 2-3 hours before the dive
3. The group must not exceed 3 per.
4. Particular attention to your and your partners’ diving equipment
5. Only non decompression dive
6. Diving where you know where the bottom is – do not dive into the abyss
7. Do not swim away a long distance
8. If possible, do not exceed a depth of 8-10m (at Sea 15-20m)
9. Set compass course correct and check it with partners
10. Clarify light signals (light on hands, on chest) and emergency signals
11. Use dive lights only under water (do not confuse with the emergency signals)
12. Do not dazzle other divers
13. Do not touch, do not cover and not to frighten sleeping creatures
14. Keep the dive light away from the computer and the compass (magnetic switches).
15. Keep the dive course accurate
16. Remember the way back to the anchor or to the coast (natural landmarks or compass)
17. Keep away from the nets, ropes and other obstacles
18. Do not raise the sludge
19. If you lost your dive light, do not panic, take the spare light or the chemical one
20. If there is no backup dive light contact with the partner
21. If you lost your partner: after a short search turn off the light for a second, if still no result, do not panic and calmly  start a controlled ascent.
22. And finally and again: night dive is not for training and exercises, but to receive impressions

  
Be ready!

  With darkness primitive human fear is approaching, making some divers bring under water powerful lights of 50-100 watt, with which they think they may fight monsters from the television, instead of diving under the water calmly. No! This isn’t the way, so carefully read this article.
Night diving gear can be the same as during the daytime (with some exclusion), it must be complete and fit, studied and experienced.

  
Safety Gear

  The equipment must also be complete and fitted. This refers to the luminous or reflective devices, with the possibility of dive at night, even without the light. At night, it is important not only what you see, but also who will see the diver at a distance from the boat. As with all the dives in the sea requires a set of safety equipment that should have every member of the group.

These include:
 
1. Reflect able and light collecting strips and inserts in suits.
2. Flash lights
3. Rocket signals
4. Acoustic signals
5. Dive knife – even a little, to be sure, because at night with limited lighting you can be easily entangled in nets or lines, and must be easily and quickly get out.

 All equipment must be put as close as possible to the body. Equipment should be well studied.
Dive Lights

 To be fully ready, first and the most important part in night dives is the reliable, easily managed dive light with a maximum power of 30 – 50 watt with a sufficient work time, including the time for dressing and road time.

Even reliable lights can be broken or lost, therefore it is necessary to keep a spare light for the team. Particularly it is worth noting comfort of dive light control.

Requirements to the dive light are:

1. waterproof housing, impact resistant, rugged shell, protection from the full discharge of the battery, the battery level alarm;
2. durable, shock-resistant, working perfectly on surface;
3. stable grip with the possibility of attachment to the ring line jacket with a carbine;
4. good controllability even with thick gloves;
5. single-or double-ring seal on the inner diameter of the threads;
6. quick chargeable device that makes the light functional for multiple times, following one after another dive.

 
What about your partner?

 
  Night diving means that you have enough experience, so that there is no problem with the equipment and skills. Usually, adjusting diving plan you should with the partner with little experience.

The group should not comprise of more than three divers, including not more than one beginner. He/she must understand the special rule: absolute honesty. Beginner should well understand the danger signals of the head of the group, which in this case with manual contact should rectify the problem. This leads to a precise instructions before diving and the beginner should be always in the middle.

Briefing before the diving;

  Personal gear, as well as the partner should be examined, manageable with closed eyes and thoroughly tested. Informed diving details (depth, duration, and when to do that). Particular attention is paid to the use of underwater signals at night. Repeat the signals given by a light, such as, «all in», (circular motion lamp) and an alarm. We recommend that you show signs on the backwards to the breast, highlighting their lantern, then the light will be sent from the partner.

Normal planning of emergency situations is different from the day diving because of the following reasons:

1. darkness hinders any rescue action;
2. doctors, a pressure chamber, pharmacy, etc. is more difficult to find at night;
3. prefer own safety (oxygen artificial respiration device, a mobile telephone, the exclusion of risk, fear).

You can go. Dive!

  The attraction of the night dives is to see many living organisms, which can be met only at night, and watch sleeping fishes, which we know from the daytime diving. Many of the creatures have different colors at night.

  If you need to consider fishes closer cover deflector arm to reduce the luminous flux. The same rules are to protect the environment for daytime diving also.
  Finally, all is behind and we are in. This could be the start of the shore, or, if the diving starts of a boat, holding on the rope. Here is a free entry into the darkness requires some habits. Flashlights should be included at all times to facilitate the gathering of the group. With the loss of partner light should be turned off for a second to find him/her with help partners light. This disabling can be done only briefly, the other diver does the same.

  At the time of diving may be situations where an agreement when all the lights are switched off simultaneously for a short time. For example, while observing the magnificent play of luminous marine organisms in tropical seas.

  The duration of diving should be precisely defined, as to ensure peace on the shore. Not later than the first pale light starts flashing signal or battery level, the whole team should be at the point of exit.

Dangers at the night dives 

  Dangers lie already at the entrance. Steep slopes, slippery ground, profits, accumulation of islands or shoals of algae can cause problems for divers and their equipment.

  However, the main danger is psychological. The most experienced diver fear the night, when suddenly from the darkness, fearful of his movements, the fish encounters with him. The difference is that an experienced diver smile, a newcomer may panic because of stress waiting for shark attacks

    Another risk – it is underwater obstacles that may be encountered because of negligence or limited visibility. In this situation only calmness and slow retreat helps. This is the same as if you have sailed in a cave and suddenly came across an upright wall. Periodically monitoring the direction of the compass, find the way back. Check the course at night is most needed, without it turning at a light you can easily lose their bearings.
Another danger are ships. It’s better not to dive in such sites. Even a quiet anchored ship can be dangerous. There are accidents in which a diver is sucks by the cooling pump.

 A big risk can be considered the so-called effect «vertigo».
This loss of senses in the field of orientation in space. These include:

1. eye, showing the horizon
2. specific sensors in the muscles, which indicate the direction of application of force
3. body equilibrium, the so-called vestibular apparatus, indicating the direction and change of the situation.

 
  Dived in slightly turbid water, with no visible bottom, you may lose all three of the sensors with the minor problems with the pressure, feeling the sudden dizziness. In severe cases, you can lose orientation when it is not possible to determine where the top and bottom is. Such places the entrance to the water should be avoided. This effect disappears as soon as reaches the surface and see the stars or the boat lights.

Health disorders – alcohol – drugs – drugs

  It goes without saying that violations of health and after taking alcohol, receive certain medications and immediately after the meal is not allowed to dive.

Mental problems.

  Darkness, especially among beginners, is an easy sense of fear. Increased psychological stress for a diver can cause panic and the erroneous actions. The truth to yourself and especially to the partner – this is a mandatory requirement. When the symptoms of fear (random motion of the lantern, the frequent breath, wide-open eyes) you need to create a bodily contact, and possibly finish the dive. People suffering from claustrophobic (fear of  closed spaces), should not dive at nights.

Loss of partner.

  In a dense co-navigating and observing light partner, the loss of the latter is reduced to a minimum. However, if one is lost, your dive light must be turned off for a second, to better see the light of the partner. Lights can be switched off only for search and then for appointment appointment. If this search does not result in a short time, emerge.

Problems of orientation.

  Night dives should be conducted only on the well-known for the daily water diving site. Reliable orientation marked by the natural orientation or compass must be guaranteed. Do not swim for long distances, if possible, stick to the boat, or place of entry into the water.   
Compass course must be pre-determined and stored or recorded on a tablet. It is necessary to take into account the deviation of a compass due to the mass of metal or a magnetic switch.

 
Loss of orientation;

  At night diving, mostly when surfacing, there can be dizziness, which may lead to a complete loss of orientation.

  Eyes, we define to the horizon and look for a fixed point. If you close your eyes, you lose information. We are just helpless, especially if you are in motion.

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