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Diving
safety.
Scuba diving is statistically one of the safest adventure sports in the world — when correct protocols are followed. This guide covers the essential safety practices every diver should know.
Pre-dive checks
The acronym BWRAF — Begin With Review And Friend, remembered as "Burgers With Relish And Fries" — is the standard buddy equipment check sequence. Perform it without exception, even on familiar dives.
- B — BCD: Check inflation, deflation, and harness fit. Ensure all straps are properly secured.
- W — Weights: Confirm correct amount, quick-release is accessible, and your buddy knows how to operate it.
- R — Releases: Check all buckles, clips, and fasteners on each other's equipment.
- A — Air: Confirm valve is fully open, verify pressure (minimum 200 bar for most recreational dives), test both regulators including the alternate.
- F — Final OK: Overall check — fins, mask, dive computer, SMB, torch if applicable. Confirm underwater hand signals.
Beyond the BWRAF, check site conditions: current direction and strength, surface visibility, entry and exit points, and the position of other divers and boats.
During the dive
Air management
The Rule of Thirds is the standard for most dives: one third of your supply for going out, one third for returning, one third as emergency reserve. On open water recreational dives, many operators use the Rule of Quarters (turn at 50 bar). Never ignore buddy air signals.
Staying with your buddy
Maintain constant visual contact. Ideal range is 1–2 metres; never more than 10 metres separation. In current or low visibility, maintain physical contact or use a buddy line. If separated, ascend to the surface per your pre-agreed protocol.
Buoyancy control
Correct neutral buoyancy protects reefs and reduces air consumption. Adjust your BCD in small bursts. Never over-inflate: an over-inflated BCD can cause an uncontrolled ascent.
Environmental awareness
Continuously monitor: dive computer, buddy, surroundings (current, visibility, marine life). Anticipate changes — currents can increase suddenly at reef tips or channels.
Ascent procedures
The cardinal rule: never ascend faster than your smallest bubbles. Diving agencies establish 9–18 metres per minute as the maximum safe ascent rate. Most dive computers will alert you if you ascend too quickly.
Safety stop: Perform a 3–5 minute safety stop at 5 metres on all recreational dives. While not mandatory, it significantly reduces the risk of subclinical decompression sickness. On deep or repetitive dives, your computer may mandate it as a required stop.
Deploy your SMB (surface marker buoy) from 5 metres before ascending to the surface. This alerts boats to your presence and makes you visible in open water — especially critical at sites with boat traffic.
Upon surfacing: fully inflate your BCD, establish visual contact with the boat or shore, and signal OK. If anything is wrong, signal clearly for assistance.
Surface & post-dive
After diving, residual nitrogen in your blood and tissues requires time to safely off-gas. Follow these guidelines:
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water before and after. Dehydration is a significant risk factor for DCS.
- Avoid intense exercise: No intensive cardiovascular exercise for at least 2 hours post-dive.
- Avoid altitude: Do not fly or ascend to significant altitude for at least 12 hours after a single dive, 18 hours after repetitive dives, or 24 hours after dives requiring decompression stops.
- Alcohol: Avoid alcohol immediately after diving — it reduces the body's capacity to off-gas dissolved nitrogen.
- Self-monitoring: Monitor for symptoms for 24 hours. DCS symptoms can appear up to 24–48 hours after a dive.
Always log your dive: maximum depth, bottom time, start and end pressure, water temperature, site, and conditions. Your dive log is an important medical record.
When to call the dive
A safe diver is one who calls the dive without hesitation. Calling a dive is not a failure — it is the correct exercise of judgment. The following situations require aborting the dive immediately or not entering the water:
- You feel unwell or experience any discomfort before entry
- Equipment did not perform correctly during the check
- Conditions exceed your experience or training level
- Your air supply is depleting faster than expected
- You experience any unusual symptoms underwater (dizziness, numbness, difficulty breathing)
- Your buddy signals they want to ascend
- Your dive computer enters violation mode or ascent rate alarm
- You lose sight of your buddy and cannot locate them within one minute
Social pressure to "complete the dive" has been a factor in many diving accidents. No dive is worth more than your life. When in doubt, get out.
Keep learning
Safety deepens with continuous training. Consider Rescue Diver, DAN DEMP (Dive Emergency Management Provider), and first-aid courses.