Scuba Certification In Northern Virginia: 6 Common Scuba Diving Mistakes

Scuba Diving is a very safe sport.  However, like anything else things can go wrong.  Every year the  Diver’s Alert Network or DAN collects statistics relating to the previous years mishaps in scuba diving.  From this analysis it is possible to spot contributing factors to scuba diving emergencies.  Here are the five most common as reported by DAN.

Mistake #1: Neglecting Your Heath

As divers, we have an obligation to maintain good health. DAN recommends an annual physical by a physician familiar with dive medicine for anyone over 35 or any time there is a noticeable health change.  As we get older it becomes even more important to maintain good physical conditioning not only when scuba diving but in general.  Heart attacks are a leading cause of dive fatalities.

Mistake #2: Divers Exceeding Their Level Of Experience and Training

When we scuba dive we increase our dive experience and this builds the knowledge and skills inherent to dive safety.  As divers make more dives, they gain experience and practice with basic and emergency skills. This will better prepare them to meet challenges that may occur on a dive.  However, if we are attempting to try a totally new type of scuba diving endeavor commons sense dictates that we undergo some additional training and practice prior to this new experience.  Many divers, however, think nothing of pushing the envelope so to speak without any additional training or thought.

Mistake #3: Poor or No Buddy Communication

As scuba divers we routinely dive in buddy pairs for both safety and practicality.  It is only good common sense to sit down with your dive buddy prior to the dive and review your dive plan.  During this time a review of safety procedures should also be discussed.  This goes a long way in preventing dive problems.  Maintaining this contact and communication throughout the dive contributes to dive safety.

Statistics have shown that a majority of dive accidents occurred with divers either diving along or who had become separated from their buddies.  Good communication can prevent this error.

Mistake #4: Not Practicing Those Critical Skills

When you received your initial scuba diving training you were taught not only basic skills but several very important skills related to dealing with scuba diving emergencies.  Just like any other skills unless you either use these skills or practice them you become rusty and they are no longer second nature.  Then if a problem arises it is far more difficult to preform them.  DAN data clearly shows that many dive related accidents are a result of diver error, not necessarily equipment problems.   All scuba divers should routinely practice those important skills and if they have not been scuba diving in a while consider taking a scuba review course to refresh those skills.

Mistake #5: Not Maintaining Your Scuba Diving Equipment.

Equipment issues are involved in a large number of scuba diving injuries.  One of the advantages of owning your own equipment is that you know it fits you properly and that you are familiar with its characteristics.  Owning your own equipment makes you not only a better diver but a safer diver.  However, you must still have your equipment serviced on an annual basis to be sure that it is functioning in peak performance condition.

Mistake #6: Not Accepting Personal Responsibility For The Dive.

Each and every diver has equal responsibility for the conduct of the dive.  Everyone should be aware of what takes place during a dive and be prepared to modify the dive plan if conditions occur that could increase risk.  All too often divers routinely follow the Divemaster or group without regard to their personal depth, dive time or remaining air supply.  You would not want to drive a car without a gas gauge, but I have seen scuba divers following computer profiles without their own dive computer.  Running out of air or exceeding your allowable dive time is far more serious then running out of gas on the highway!

No matter how experienced a scuba diver you are, what your certification level,  or how long you have been diving, it is imperative that you follow the same common sense scuba diving rules that you were taught when you were first certified. If you avoid the mistakes we just discussed you will go a long way to making your Aquatic Adventures safer….

Learn To Scuba Dive In Northern Virginia: Tips on Saving Air

One of the very first things that you notice about an experienced scuba diver is how much longer they can stay down on every dive compared to the other scuba divers.  This actually becomes a badge of accomplishment among scuba divers.  It often takes quite a bit of experience to accomplish this, but there are a few tricks to help get you started.

Be Neutrally Buoyant When Scuba Diving:

Most new scuba divers, and many not so new divers where way too much lead when scuba diving.  Being over weighted makes it easier to go down, but is more then off set by many other factors.  First, when over weighted you have to put more air in your Buoyancy Control Device at depth.  This in turn creates more drag and resistance making you work harder.  Working harder makes you use your air faster.  Secondly, the extra air in your BCD means that your body position on the dive is more diagonal then horizontal.  This also creates additional drag causing you to use even more air.

Stay More Shallow On Your Dives:

You learned when you were first certified as a scuba diver that the deeper you go the more air you use with each breath.  If you make shallower dives or stay a little bit more shallow then the group you will use less air then if you dove deeper.  This in turn will increase your bottom times on the dives.

Breath Slowly and Deeply During the Dive:

When you breath, you take in 21% oxygen with each breath and exhale about 16% oxygen.  You are using a small amount of the oxygen you breath in.  The most efficient way to breath when scuba diving is to breath slowly and deeply throughout the entire dive.  This forces you to use more of the oxygen in the air that you breath with each breath.   This slow and deep breathing actually helps increase your bottom times on the dive since you are using your air more efficiently.

Own and Maintain Your Equipment:

You personal scuba equipment is your mode of transportation through the underwater world.  When you own your own scuba equipment it should have been personally fitted to you when you  purchased it.  The sales person at the Dive Center also made sure that what you purchased was suited to you personally and the type of scuba diving that you do.  Having your own equipment means you will be used to your equipment and not have to work as hard as you do when using rental equipment.

By maintaining your equipment in peak condition it will perform better throughout the dive helping you conserve your energy and improve your air consumption.  A regulator that is out of tune or a regulator or BCD that has even a small leak with waste air during your dive, shortening your bottom time.   If you use rental equipment when you scuba dive you have no control over the care that the equipment is given, nor any guarantee that it even fits you properly.

Scuba Diving Equipment: Wear Appropriate Exposure Protection or Scuba Wetsuit:

Many scuba divers do not realize the role that a wetsuit or proper exposure protection plays in bottom times.  Your body burns oxygen to help maintain its warmth.  A diver who is cold will go through his or her air faster then a scuba diver who is not cold.  Newer or less experienced divers may not feel cold since they are working very hard due to poor body positioning or just plain poor dive technique.  An accomplished diver does not generate his or her own heat since they are very efficient when scuba diving.  On your next dive vacation look at the Divemaster on the Dive Boat.  You will notice that the Divemaster is wearing a full wetsuit, since he or she is very efficient in the water and also knows the value in appropriate exposure protection.

Practice Good Buoyancy Control:

Good buoyancy control is something that is learned over time.  A good way to get started with good buoyancy is to take the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty Dive Course.  This is a specialty that focuses on being properly weighted, having a streamlined body position in the water and having an efficient kick stroke.  During the Peak Performance Buoyancy Course you will also learn not to use your hands when diving.  Sculling or using your hands simple creates more drag and resistance in the water and causes you to use your air more rapidly.  The PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Course literally puts the icing on the cake, so to speak about what we talked about above.  Good buoyancy control also comes in handy in many types of scuba diving, such as underwater photography or wreck diving.

Take some time to practice these tips and you will be surprised at how quickly your scuba diving improves and your bottom times along with it.

Scuba Dive Travel in Northern Virginia: Dive Boat Etiquette

Scuba diving on a dive boat is a luxury.  It will get you to an out of the way dive site that you might not be able to reach otherwise.  The captain and crew work very hard to insure your comfort and safety.  A few common sense rules to follow will help make your trip all the better.

1 Always Arrive At The Boat On Time:
Dive boats are often in use multiple times each day.  It is important that they depart and return on time or the subsequent dives will not be on time.  Divers should arrive at the designated loading area a little prior to the announced boarding time.  You need to allow ample time to double check your gear and to allow for any additional paperwork that might be needed that day.  If you are late in arriving you may literally miss the boat!

2 Do Not Board The Boat Until Asked Aboard By The Crew:
Dive boats need to be properly prepared prior to their departure.  Fresh dive cylinders, snacks, first aid supplies and even emergency oxygen need to be loaded on board or checked prior to casing off.  The crew needs adequate time and space to get ready for the days activities.  If you board too early you simply get in the way or even prevent the crew from completing their assigned tasks.  As soon as the boat is ready you will be invited aboard.  Once on board you should quickly and neatly stow your equipment and double check everything prior to departure.

3 Listen To The Boat Safety Briefing:
At the beginning of any dive boat trip a member of the crew will give a boat safety briefing.  Listen carefully.  The safety briefing will include not only important safety instructions in the case of an emergency but some common sense tips on what will work best on the particular boat from which you are diving.  Pay attention and do not distract the attention of others by talking during the briefing. 

4 Stay In Your Allotted Area or Space:
Dive boats with a load of scuba divers and dive gear can be very crowded.  For your comfort and the comfort and safety of everyone on board you need to set up in a confined area and keep you equipment there as well.   Pack you gear in a folding mesh dive bag prior to boarding the boat.  Set your equipment up in your area and stow your bag and any extra gear in the area beneath your bench.  It is not only good manners to maintain you gear in your own space, but it will prevent possible equipment damage or even divers from tripping over your items.

5 Be Safe – Heavy objects on the deck and Cameras on the Camera Table:
Even while at the dock, Dive boats can roll when waves brush up against them.  Heavy objects like weight belts can fall off of benches.  Weight Belts and other heavy objects should be safely stowed where they cannot fall and damage other equipment or even worse a diver’s foot.

6 Set Up Your Gear – Check To Make Sure You Have Everything:
Once your dive gear is on board immediately set up your scuba unit.  Check your air then turn your air off and purge the line.  Secure your unit with the ropes or bungees that the boat has in place.  Make sure you have everything.  Once the boat departs it is too late to replace a forgotten item.

7  Use the Proper Buckets:
Most Dive Boats will have a bucket to rinse masks and a separate bucket to rinse cameras.  Some boats will even have a third bucket for other gear.  Never put your mask in the camera bucket.  The defog that you use on your mask can damage the chemical coating on the camera lenses.  If you need to rinse your mask and their is no mask bucket dip your hand in the camera bucket and scoop some water out to pour into your mask.  Once you rinse your mask do not pour the water back into the camera bucket.  Regulators and wetsuits should never be put in a mask or camera bucket either.

8 Keep The Dry Area Dry:
Many divers will bring a towel, camera and even a log book on board.  These items are usually stowed in a “dry area” of the boat.  Please make sure that you keep this area dry.  Do not place wet gear or towels in this area.  If the boat has an enclosed cabin area it is important not to enter that area while wearing a wetsuit.  Water in that area not only creates a safety hazard for slipping but can cause mildew and odor in what is the living area of the boat.

9 Enter & Exit The Water Properly:
When divers are lined up to enter the water be ready.  Have your equipment appropriately in place and be ready to go when it is your turn.  Use the entry technique recommended in the Dive Briefing.  When returning to the boat wait your turn to use the ladder.  Hold the trail line until it is your turn.  Never get onto the ladder when someone is still climbing out.  If they were to fall they could land on top of you.  When it is your turn quickly move to the ladder and follow the technique recommended in the dive briefing.  Once on board move yourself and your equipment out of the way to make room for the next diver.

10  Remember The Crew: Thank and Tip the Captain and Crew:
The boat crew goes out of their way to make sure that you have a safe and enjoyable trip.  Be sure to thank them.  It is also customary to tip the crew.  If the crew went above and beyond the call of duty in helping you either spot critters, take care of your gear or even help you in or out of the boat it is nice to thank them with an extra gratuity.  Like a waiter or waitress, tips are a major part of their income.

Scuba Diving from a boat offers several advantages in addition to just being fun.  The Professional Association of Diving Instructors, PADI, offers a scuba diving specialty course entitled Boat Diver.  This is a great course to take and will make you not only a better scuba diver but a more courteous one as well.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Alexandria, Virginia the Boat Diver Specialty Course is offered on many of our Scuba Diving Vacation Trips.

Scuba Certification in Northern Virginia: Buoyancy Control Tips

Appropriate Buoyancy Control Device:
Proper buoyancy control starts with a properly fitted Buoyancy Control Device or BCD that is also appropriate for the type of scuba diving you are doing.  Scuba diving in cold areas requires a thicker wetsuit then scuba diving in warmer or tropical areas.  The extra thickness of the wetsuit means that the scuba diver has to wear more weight then a diver with a thinner wetsuit.  The extra weight means that the buoyancy control device needs to have more lift capacity then that of a warm water diver.  You can dive in warmer water with a cold water BCD but you may not be able to dive in cold water with a tropical weight BCD.

Maintain Proper Weighting:
Scuba divers wear lead weight to offset the natural positive buoyancy of the human body and pieces of scuba diving equipment like the diver’s wet suit.  If you do not wear enough weight you will not sink properly.  If you wear too much you will have to over inflate your buoyancy control device to offset the excess weight.  This will cause extra drag and resistance when diving making the diver work harder.  Working harder means wasted energy and that the diver will breath through his or her air supply at a much faster rate.  You can check to make sure that you have the correct amount of weight by floating on the surface in a face up position.  Let all of the air out of your BCD and inhale fully.  You should float at eye level.  When you exhale you should start to slowly sink into the water.  Remember that an aluminum scuba cylinder will become more buoyant as the air within it is used up.  For this reason a diver should add four pounds of weight to offset the excess buoyancy that will be present during the latter part of the dive.  Thus the scuba diver will be properly weighted at the end of the dive when doing a safety stop.

Maintain Proper Body Positioning and Stream Line When Diving:
The best position when scuba diving at depth is to be as horizontal as possible.  This means that the diver will have less drag and resistance and will not have to work as hard during the dive.  A proper fin kick will insure that energy is not wasted.  Keep your hands together and do not skull or use hand movements when scuba diving.  Hand movements merely create more drag and causes the diver to tire and to use air faster thus shortening your bottom time.  Streamlining also means having your equipment properly secured and pinned to your BCD.  This will prevent entanglements and insure that you are more streamlined.

Scuba Continuing Education-Practice Peak Performance Buoyancy
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors or PADI has a scuba diving course called Peak Performance Buoyancy.  It is designed to teach the scuba diver to wear appropriate equipment, practice good and safe diving techniques, be streamlined and wear the correct amount of weight when diving. These are the same suggestions that we just discussed above.  The Peak Performance Buoyancy course not only reaffirms these concepts but adds new insight like using breath control for minor adjustments instead of relying on your BCD inflator.  Those scuba divers who practice Peak Performance Buoyancy find that their air lasts longer meaning longer bottom times and that they not only enjoy the dives more but are less tired post diving as well.

Learn to Scuba Dive in Northern Virginia: Shore Diving

Last week we discussed the advantages of scuba diving from a dive boat.  This week we are going to look at scuba diving from shore.  There are many areas in Florida, along the coast line or the Caribbean that offer beach access to the ocean or sea.  Being able to simple wade into the water and scuba dive along the shoreline offers easy access to many dive areas that are often over looked.  Since the water along the beach often has waves and perhaps even some currents it pays to take a few extra steps when shore diving to insure your safety.

Scuba Diving Equipment for Shore Diving: Dive Flags & Floats:
Many dive locations require by law that any scuba diver display a dive flag and float when scuba diving.  This is to warn boats in the area to realize that scuba divers are in the vicinity, and that they should take precautions to prevent running over a diver who may be on the surface or diving just below the surface.  When entering the water from shore, the float and dive flag should be kept between the diver and the shoreline.  If the float where out in front of the diver, waves could throw the float at the divers which could cause injuries.

Back into the Waves:
When wading into the water if there are any waves, place yourself so that your back is against the waves.  When a wave strikes lean into it and the wave action will straighten you.  If you face the waves the pressure from the waves can dislodge your mask causing problems.  It is also easier to be knocked over if you face the waves rather then back into them.

Keep Your Scuba Regulator Ready:
Always have your regulator second stage in your hand.  Should you be knocked down by a wave you will be able to simply put it in your mouth.  Many divers will enter the water with their snorkel in their mouth.  That is fine but you still need to hold on to your regulator in case you trip or fall.  Also make sure that your alternate air source is securely fastened in case you need to reach for it.

Get into the Water Before Donning Your Scuba Fins:
Fins were not designed to walk in, and doing so can cause a diver to trip or stumble.  It is best to walk into the water until it is deep enough to support you and then don your fins.  Usually, between knee and waist deep is an ideal depth.

Be Deep Enough Prior to Diving:
Once you have donned your fins you may need to back a little deeper into the water prior to actually scuba diving.  Follow the rules we listed above and when you can drop down a few feet to be under the waves do so.  It is then far easier to swim out underwater from that point.

Stay Close to Your Dive Buddy:
Scuba divers should always dive in buddy teams.  Waves and undertow can often move divers around.  To maintain your safety, stay together so that you can assist each other if needed.

Be Extra Careful When Exiting a Shore Dive:
Coming back into shore can be challenging if the wave action has increased during your dive.  Often winds or even tides will cause wave action to increase making it very difficult to stand up and remove your fins.  If necessary simply body surface into shore.  If necessary you can crawl out on your hands and knees with the regulator in your mouth.  It does not look very graceful but is far better then being knocked over.

Know When Not To Dive:
If it is very wavy and if the surf seems to be rising it might be better to call the dive off.  Scuba diving is fun.  If the surf action makes it difficult, take a moment to think about your safety.  Some days it is just better to call it a day and try again when the conditions are better suited to scuba diving.  Also you may be an experienced scuba diver but you need to consider the skill level of the other divers.  If they are novices and the weather is creating more challenging conditions  you may want to reconsider for your buddy’s sake.  As we mentioned earlier, scuba diving is fun, if your buddy is over exerting and not enjoying the dive it might be better to dive later, when conditions are better suited to safe scuba diving.

Scuba Certifications in Northern Virginia: ScubaEarth Dive Community

One of the great joys of scuba diving is that it is a very social sport.  The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) has introduced a new social website called ScubaEarth.  This is a Facebook type of site dedicated entirely to scuba divers.

PADI says that ScubaEarth™ is an online scuba resource and social community for divers and other water lovers. It’s a robust, one-stop site to research, plan and share dive experiences. ScubaEarth hosts everything from current weather and dive conditions to photos and videos for those constantly craving scuba snacks.

There are thousands of travel websites, but few dedicated to divers looking for their next vacation, virtually anywhere in the world. ScubaEarth can help you answer questions like:

• Where should I go on my next dive trip?
• What will I see?
• What should I pack?
• When is the best time to go?
• What kind of local flavor is there?
• How can I keep a digital logbook of all my dives & share them with my buddies?
• How can I browse other logged dives to see recent dive conditions at a dive site?
• Where can I keep a digital record of all my PADI certifications?
• How can I find a PADI Dive Center or Resort to dive with and take my next PADI course?
• And much more.

PADI Dive Center in Northern Virginia: PADI Scuba Courses & Dive Travel

As a premier Dive Center in Northern Virginia, Aquatic Adventures recognizes the value of offering both Scuba Classes and Courses and the opportunity to try these on a dive vacation by sponsoring Dive Trips throughout the year.  This is all part of the same social aspect of scuba diving that we referred to in the beginning of this article.

Learning to Scuba Dive is the first step.  Having safe scuba equipment makes scuba diving more fun and more enjoyable and having the opportunity to dive in several exotic locations with friends who you met while learning to scuba dive just makes it that much better.

Learn to Scuba Dive: Wreck Diver Specialty Diver Course

Shipwrecks are a natural place to scuba dive.  Whether the wreck was sunk during a war, in a mishap or on purpose, shipwrecks quickly become part of the marine environment and make a wonderful place to scuba dive.  Whether a sunken ship, an airplane or even an automobile, wrecks quickly become over grown with coral and become a collecting point for fish and other aquatic life.  The PADI Wreck Diver Course teaches you the proper safety techniques of scuba diving in and around a wreck, and how to dive these wrecks responsibly.

Scuba Dive Training: Wreck Diver Specialty Course – An Enjoyable Experience

The best part of taking the Wreck Diver Specialty Course is that you actually scuba dive on wrecks during the course.  This enables you to gain experience wreck diving while under the supervision of your Wreck Diving Instructor.  Your Wreck Diving Instructor will be an excellent source of experience enabling you to learn correctly and safely.

What Is Included In the Wreck Diver Specialty Course?

During the Wreck Diver Specialty Course you will learn the techniques for exploring shipwrecks on scuba and how to avoid common hazards.  Many of the various techniques for researching and learning the background of wrecks is discussed.  Due to the potential hazards of diving on sunken wrecks much time is spent on discussing equipment considerations and dive safety.

Shipwrecks can be quite hazardous, with many holes and passageways in which a scuba diver can become disoriented and even lost. Special techniques and considerations for safely entering and exploring the inside of intact wrecks is covered.   Last but by no means least the Wreck Diver Student spends time learning how to plan, organize and then carryout a wreck dive.  There are four training dives conducted during this course so the student get lots of practice, while under supervision of his or her PADI Wreck Diving Instructor.

Scuba Diving Equipment for Wreck Diving

Scuba diving on shipwrecks requires some specialized scuba diving equipment.  Wreck reels, submersible marker buoys, and lift bags are often used when diving on shipwrecks.  Learning about this equipment and practicing with it is an integral part of learning to scuba dive on shipwrecks.

Scuba Diving on shipwrecks is an exciting and enjoyable experience.  It is diving on a piece of history.  The PADI Wreck Diver Specialty Course allows scuba divers to learn the proper techniques for safe and exciting wreck diving.

Aquatic Adventures: Learn to Scuba Dive Safely: The Dive Computer vs The Dive Tables

Today, everyone uses a calculator to add, subtract, multiply or divide.  However, if we did not learn multiplication and division in fifth grade we would not know how to use a calculator.  The same holds true for Scuba Diving Computers.  You learn the basics of dive safety when you learn how to use Scuba Diving Tables.  You learn to complete your deepest dive of the day first, and to start a scuba dive by doing the deepest part of the dive first then working your way shallow.  Scuba Divers who learn on Dive Computers often overlook these important considerations.

Dive Computers Offer Longer Bottom Times

When using a Scuba Dive Table like PADI’s Recreational Dive Planner (RDP), you calculate the length of your dive as being at the deepest part of the dive for the entire dive.  A Dive Computer, which has it’s own depth gauge and timer will accurately calculate how long you are at each depth.  Consequently, the Dive Computer will credit you for the time at shallower depths and give you longer dive times.

Another nice feature of the newer dive computers, is that many of them allow you to download your scuba dive profiles onto your PC or your Mac.  This is a very easy way of maintaining that ever important document: the Dive Log that we spoke about two weeks ago.

Types of Scuba Diving Computers

Wrist Mounted Dive Computer:
This type is typical of a basic level, watch-style computer.  The Wrist Dive Computer provides data on depth, dive time, ascent rate, and safe dive profiles, and is for use with normal breathing air or Nitrox if so programmed.

Console Integrated Computer:
This computer is built into the scuba diver’s console which is attached to the SPG or high-pressure hose from the 1st stage of the regulator. Because of this it also displays remaining air supply and often has an underwater compass attached to it as well.

Hoseless Dive Computer:
This wrist-mounted computer also displays how much air remains in the diver’s tank by means of radio signals from a transmitter screwed into the high-pressure port of the 1st stage of the regulator.  This is a very sophisticated unit that tells the diver not only how much bottom time is left based upon nitrogen absorption, but how much bottom time is left based on remaining air supply.

Multi-Gas  or Technical Dive Computers:
This type of computer can calculate dive profiles for several different mixtures of breathing gas, from normal air to various oxygen-enriched blends of Nitrox or helium based gas.

Use Features For Dive Computers:

Always look at the dive computer and make sure that the numbers are large enough to read.  If you wear glasses or contacts take into consideration what kind of magnification, if any is in your scuba diving mask.

Make sure that the batteries are user changeable.  If is very time consuming and expensive to have to ship your computer back to the manufacturer for a battery change.

Other considerations are: Can you operate the computer with your dive gloves on?  Is the Owner’s Manual easy to understand?  Does the computer allow you to use the type of breathing gas that you plan to dive with?  Can you adjust the conservatism of the computer to suit the type of scuba diving that you do?

Dive Training: The Dive Computer is Only As Safe As You Are:

Remember what we said: in the very beginning of this article.  It is your responsibility as a Scuba Diver to practice safe diving techniques and to follow the prescribed procedures that have been a standard for safe scuba diving.  A Dive Computer is only as safe at the diver using it.

Learn to Scuba Dive Safely: Pre-Dive Safety Procedures

Scuba Diving is a fun and safe sport.  Safety is dramatically increased, however, by following a few common sense safety procedures that are taught during the initial scuba diver training.

Dive Training – Pre-Dive Safety Checks: BWRAF

Every scuba diver should go through a routine Pre Dive Safety check with his or her dive buddy prior to the dive.  Even airline pilots do a flight check prior to taking off.   Similarly, scuba divers should follow the routine pre-dive check as well.  It consists of BWRAF and stands for Buoyancy Control Device, Weight System, Releases, Air and final OK.  The acronym “Begin With Review And Friend”  is taught in the beginner Open Water Course, and should faithfully be practiced prior to every scuba dive.

Scuba Diving Training: Listen to the Dive Briefing

Most of us have traveled on airplanes so frequently, that we often tend to tune out the pre-flight instructions from the flight attendants. Prior to all boat dives the Divemaster usually gives a dive briefing on the safety aspects and parameters of the dive such as depth and bottom time to be followed.  The Divemaster will also talk about any safety procedures to be followed as well as things of interest on the dive.  Since every scuba dive location is different, it is important to listen carefully to the briefing, you will be expected to follow these instructions, and that can often prevent problems.

Review and Discuss your Scuba Diving Hand Signals

Scuba divers speak to each other underwater by using hand signals.  You and your dive buddy should review these signals prior to the scuba dive.  That way you will both be on the same page so to speak, and that can prevent a host of problems that might arise due to a failure to communicate properly.

Review your Emergency Action Plan

Dive teams need to decide on just how to carry out the dive plan. Who will navigate and who will be responsible for other aspects of the dive.  Other dive procedures need to be discussed, such as how close the divers will be to each during the dive and what to do if they become separated.  This sounds very basic but by reviewing them prior to the scuba dive may make a major problem only a minor annoyance.

Scuba Diving Safety: Maintain Your Physical Fitness

Last but by no means not least, all scuba divers should maintain their physical fitness.  While scuba diving is not a cardiovascular sport, it does require some physical effort.  Being in reasonably good physical condition will help prevent or lessen the likelihood of over exertion.  It will also go a long way in insuring that the scuba diver has an enjoyable experience.

Maintain Your Scuba Diving Equipment

Scuba Diving Equipment, just like your automobile, needs periodic maintenance to run efficiently.  By having your scuba diving equipment serviced annually, you will prevent many of the possible problems that often occur due to worn or out of tune scuba equipment.  Regulators and Buoyancy Control Devices (BCD’s) should be serviced annually.

Maintain Your Scuba Fitness: Scuba Continuing Education

If you have not been diving in a while refresh your scuba diving skills.  Take a Scuba Review  Course to refresh those skills.  Consider taking a Scuba Continuing Education Course, like the Advanced Open Water or Rescue Diver Course.  The very best Scuba Divers are the one’s who scuba dive regularly and thereby keep their scuba skills sharp.

Scuba Diving is fun and exciting. By practicing these few safety rules and procedures you will make sure that the exciting part is not life threatening.

Scuba Diving Equipment: The Snorkel

The snorkel is perhaps the simplest piece of Scuba Diving Equipment and also one of the most controversial pieces of Dive Equipment.  The snorkel itself is simply a plastic tube approximately 16 – 18 inches long and about 7/8 inches in diameter.  It is usually has the overall shape of the letter “J”.

Snorkels are used by scuba divers on most every dive.  A snorkel makes diving easier and more enjoyable.  Quality scuba snorkels, such as those by AERIS Diving Equipment, Mares Diving Equipment, Sherwood Diving Equipment and Scuba Pro Diving Equipment are constructed of high impact plastics.  They are slightly longer in length than a snorkeling snorkel to compensate for the scuba diver being slightly lower in the water.  Good snorkels have smooth inner surfaces to reduce drag and enhance ease of breathing.  The snorkel is usually purchased by the diver when they learn to scuba dive and is a required piece of Scuba Diving Equipment in almost all Dive Training.

Snorkel Options:
Snorkels with Purge Valves:

Snorkels are available in a variety of styles.  Most snorkels today have a Purge Valve.  A purge valve is a thin membrane or wafer that forms a one way valve at the bottom allowing water to drain out but not re-enter.  The purge valve makes a snorkel much easier to clear water from and thus easier to use.

Flexible or Contour Shaped Snorkels

While the overall shape of a snorkel is always a “J” shape the shaft can be either contoured to lock in the “J” shape or it can be flexible so the mouthpiece portion of the snorkel falls away when not being used.  The contour snorkel is used primarily by snorkelers who do not scuba dive since the snorkel is almost always in their mouths.

Scuba divers alternate between having a snorkel or the scuba regulator in their mouth.  The contour snorkel very nicely falls out of the way when using the scuba regulator so scuba divers usually prefer the Flexible Snorkel.

Snorkel Tops:
Open Top - Semi Dry Snorkel - Dry Snorkel

Open Top Snorkel: The least expensive snorkel has an open top.  This is probably the most commonly used snorkel due to the lesser costs involved.  This works well but in heavy rain or in waves water can run down the top of the snorkel barrel.

Semi Dry Snorkel: Many snorkels have a deflector on the top of the snorkel barrel.  This deflector is designed to deflect rain or waves and to keep the water from running down the barrel of the snorkel.  This is a useful feature and only adds about $10.00 to the price of the snorkel.

Dry Snorkel: Many snorkelers prefer to have a Dry Snorkel.  These snorkels have a lever or rotating piece that actually seals the top of the snorkel if the diver’s head goes under water.  This is a very useful feature for those who are just not comfortable with water in their snorkel.  This feature adds about $15.00 – $20.00 to the price of the snorkel but is well worth it if water in the snorkel bothers you.

Why Use A Snorkel When Scuba Diving?

At the very beginning of this article we stated that the snorkel was a controversial piece of scuba diving equipment.  Scuba Divers routinely use a snorkel to get from the back of the boat to the anchor line where they will descend.  The snorkel allows the divers to conserve their air supply while on the surface.  If the scuba diver is diving from shore he will snorkel out until he gets to deep water and will then submerge.  Again the snorkel saves air in the cylinder allowing for longer and safer bottom times.

All of the major scuba certification agencies require the use of a snorkel during scuba diver training.   This is for both practical and safety reasons.  Many scuba divers, however, prefer not to use a snorkel.  The reasons for this is to just carry one less piece of equipment.  The snorkel, however, is a safety item.  If the diver has a long surface swim or needs to wait a long period of time for the boat to pick them up the snorkel is not only convenient but can be life saving in the presence of severe waves or chop.  I personally, always scuba dive with a snorkel.