Basic Dive Safety

some dive safety pointers to remind yourself about



The use of 'common sense' is one of the most important things that we use on a daily basis to help us prevent injury or death to ourselves and others and 'common sense' as with any potentially hazardous activity is the cornerstone for safe practice and fundamental to any dive safety regime.

I'm for safe diving

Scuba Diving is a very safe sport, with a very good dive safety record, but when people don't plan and carefully consider their actions they run a much higher risk of incurring personal injury or even death, so make sure you consider the dive safety of you and those around you most carefully.

At no time is that more true than when you use equipment improperly or incorrectly, without proper knowledge, training and skills. Don't be the one that places others in danger coming to your aid when you could have so easily have prevented the incident all together.

To be a safe scuba diver you must have the proper knowledge, training and skills, and it is also important that you remain current and active in the sport in order to keep your skills up to date.

I'm for safe divingEnsure that you gain your certification in SCUBA diving from a Nationally Recognised Training Agency prior to the use of any SCUBA diving equipment or accessories. Dive centers will not hire you equipment without proof of certification.

Always take the time to read the various manuals that are supplied with any gear you purchase. Seems obvious doesn't it? - you will be surprised at how many divers don't and then get into difficulties as a result.

Become familiar with your equipment, first of all, in a controlled environment such as a pool or safe inshore location.

Take specific training appropriate to the type of diving you are planning to do. The various training agencies offer a wide range of speciality courses for that very purpose. Sure they cost money! skills save lives, so how much is your life worth?

Before every Dive perform a complete pre-dive safety check (BWRAF - Begin With Review And Friend - remember that?)

  • BCD - Check adjustment, operation, low pressure inflator connection, and that the tank is firmly locked into the tank band.
  • Weights - Check for proper weighting and that the quick release system is clear for ditching and its location is known by your buddy.
  • Releases- Make sure that both you and your buddy are familiar with the releases and how the work. Check each other to make sure they are secure.
  • Air - Confirm that you both have ample air for the dive, that your valves are open, that regulators and alternative air sources work, and that you know where to find and how to use each other's alternate air sources.
  • Final Okay - Give each other a final inspection looking out for out of place equipment, dangling gauges, missing gear etc.


Always make sure your equipment is regularly and properly maintained and by a qualified service technician and don't be afraid to ask for confirmation that he/she is manufacturer trained.

Always check the functionality of equipment following a service and before you take that long flight to the exotic spot you have been planning all year! - Even the best technician can make a mistake - it's a bit late to find out when you're 1000's of miles away from home.

I'm for safe divingStay active and practice to maintain your skills.
Maintain proper health and physical fitness for the activity that you're participating in and remember, some forms of diving are far more physically demanding than others.

Know your personal limitations and always scuba dive within your personal limitations. This is one of THE most important premises to follow. Many totally preventable accidents would not have occurred if only people took this important point on board. Don't be in a rush to 'go deep', explore wrecks etc. until you have got a number of dives under your belt and feel comfortable at every dive. Does your buddy feel confident diving with you? Do you feel confident diving with him/her? If you have the slightest doubt then neither of you are ready for anything more demanding. More of the same diving is required in order to fully develop your skills. Then move on to other areas that may interest you AND get trained for them.

So is dive safety at an all time low? NO not at all. It is perhaps a testament to the recreational dive industry that it has such a fine safety record when compared to many other sports. Yes, diving can be fatal, but more often than not dive safety is compromised by individuals operating well outside their particular level of experience and training.

Dive regularly, keep in appropriate shape, maintain your gear and keep your training up to scratch and you will enjoy many years of diving - take dive safety seriously and have a fantastic time.