Before You Dive

A safe and trouble-free dive starts ahead of time. Before you dive, follow these dive safety tips.

Make a Checklist:
Based on your own needs and experience, create an inventory list of dive gear, no matter how large or small. It will help you to remember what to bring with you. When you are finished with the dive, you can use it to account for your gear to make sure you have everything. Make notes about which equipment needs repair or replacement before your next dive.


Inspect Your Equipment:
Make sure that all your equipment and instruments are working properly. This includes your gauges, regulator, dive computer, weights, tank, BC, personal equipment, etc. If there is a problem it is better to discover it and fix it before getting in the water. Also, get your navigational bearings by orienting yourself to your compass before diving.


Know Your Buddy:
Spend some time with your buddy before the dive, especially if the person is someone you have not dived with before. You’ll get a feel for his or her personality, skill and comfort level, all of which can affect your dive. Also look for signs of fear, stress and nervousness. If you aren’t comfortable having that person as a buddy, you can request someone else or back out of the dive.


Pay Attention to the Briefing:
The dive briefing is important because it contains information on the dive conditions such as water temperature, currents, visibility, etc. If you have any questions about the conditions, ask before starting the dive. Always voice your concerns ahead of time. If you are not diving with a dive operator, then plan your dives accordingly.