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Dive Safety

Safety Standards

Following are examples of some internationally accepted general safety standards and regulations that dive centers, dive guides and diving Instructors should apply. They are more or less the same all over the world and more often then not, diving is regulated by law in the country where you are. A lot of these regulations come from the standards and procedures that diving organizations use and apply to their members. If you find yourself in a place where regulations don't excist and the dive center and/or its staff are not affiliated with a diving organization, you and your dive guide or instructor should still follow the rules to ensure a safe and enjoyable dive.

When you familiarize yourself with these rules and general safety standards you´ll be able to dive safely and you´ll know what to look for when you enter a dive center and/or go diving with one. You´ll be able, as well, to easily verify if you are taken care of in a correct and safe way. 

In the Dive Center

In the shop the dive center should:

• Inform the diver (to be) clearly about all the options available.

• Use up to date (training) materials that are easy to understand.

• Have certifications on display that show that the staff is properly trained in Dive Rescue, Oxygen First Aid and Medic First Aid.

• Have records available of maintenance of the equipment and compressor.

• Have a certificate on display stating that their compressed air is clean.

On the Boat

When a boat is used the dive center should have the following on board:

• Oxygen equipment in good working order and with enough oxygen for the time of transportation between the dive site(s) and medical facility.

• Medic First Aid kit.

• A member of the staff trained in MFA and the use of oxygen equipment.

• Drinking water.

• Basic tools and spare parts.

• Communication equipment.

• Dive flag.

• Written emergency plan that can be understood by everybody.

• Life Jackets for the divers and staff.

Diving Equipment

The diving equipment and other related equipment or machinery such as a compressor should be in good working order. To ensure that, they should undergo the following tests and maintenance:

1.- Scuba tanks should undergo a visual inspection at least once a year and a hydrostatic test, at a certified facility, at least every 5 years or earlier if indicated by the visual inspection or if the tank has suffered any damage. The date of the latest hydrostatic test should be stamped in the neck of the tank. The tank valves should be serviced at least once a year. Tanks should always maintain a minimum pressure of at least 10% of their working pressure.

2.- Regulators, BCD´s and instruments should be serviced at least once a year. They should be tested for leaks, tested to see if they work properly and the hoses and mouthpieces should be checked every time before going out on a dive.

3.- Electronic instruments and computers should be cared for, serviced and tested according to manufacturers specifications.

4.- Scuba equipment may only be rented to somebody who has at least a current basic scuba diving certification.

5.- Compressors should receive periodical general revisions and maintenance according to manufacturers specifications. They should use the correct oil and the filter system should be set up and serviced also as indicated by the manufacturer. The safety valves should be checked regularly to ensure they function adequately. The compressed air should be analyzed periodically in accordance to international standards for compressed air quality and comply with the requisites for breathing air as set forth by the US Navy.

6.- Tanks may only be filled if they are current with respect to the visual and hydrostatic tests.

Note: The Dive Center should register the maintenance and repair of scuba equipment and compressor in a service logbook.

Before the dive

Before the dive the dive guide or dive center should verify:

• That the person that wants to dive has a valid scuba diving certification.

or

• That the person has completed an Introductory Course or Program, given by a Scuba Diving Instructor (see below).

Before every dive the dive guide should give the following information:

• General description of the dive site

• Description of the environmental conditions

• How to protect the environment

• What risks exist and how to prevent those becoming a problem

• General organization and conduct (buddy teams, formation, signals, etc.)

• How the equipment works

• How to enter and exit the water

• Descent and ascent procedures

• Maximum depth, time and air consumption

• Emergency procedures

During the dive the divers and staff should follow these rules:

• The dive plan has to be respected

• The aquatic environment has to be protected and damage to it avoided

• On the surface there has to be a person who knows the dive plan and is trained in emergency procedures

Note: The dive guide is obliged to abort the dive if, at his or her consideration, there are potential risks present that may endanger the group of divers

After the dive:

After the dive the dive guide should:

• Make sure all the divers are out of the water (post dive roll call).

• Give a debriefing.

• Make sure the divers are ok and monitor the divers for signs and symptoms of decompression illness (if applicable).

Non Certified Divers

If a person is not a certified diver, he or she should take an Introduction into Scuba Diving, conducted by a Scuba Diving Instructor.  This introduction should consist of the following:

1.- Knowledge development session with an explanation of:

• The diving equipment and how it works.

• The potential risks if a dive is not conducted the correct way.

• The importance of adequate buoyancy control.

• The basic underwater (hand) signals.

• The safety and emergency procedures.

• How to conserve and protect the underwater flora and fauna.

• How to conserve underwater cultural heritage (wrecks).

2.- Confined water training session with the student practising the following:

• Bouyancy control.

• Mask and snorkel clearing.

• Equalization techniques for ears and mask.

• Techniques to recuperate and clear the regulator.

• Use of an alternate airsource.

• Use of underwater signals.

• Moving underwater (use of fins).

• Proper descent and ascent techniques.

Depth

The Maximum Depth Limits for recreational divers:

• Non-certified divers after completing introduction = 12m (40ft).

• Certified divers with basic certification = 18m (60ft).

• Certified divers with advanced certification = 30m (100ft).

• Experienced certified divers with advanced certification = 40m (130ft).

.

Source: Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-05-TUR-1998, Secretary of Tourism (SECTUR). These are the safety requisites dive operations in Mexico have to comply with according to the Federal Law of Mexico. For more info (in Spanish) go to the website of SECTUR.

Many of the standards mentioned above you´ll find in the list of requirements PADI Resort Centers have to comply with, see the section on "PADI Requirements".

Safety Tips

What can you do to make your dive safer? Following are some practical do's and don't's that every recreational diver should follow to prevent decompression illness and other injuries or accidents. Try to stick to these safety standards even if your buddy or dive guide doesn't!

DO:

• Always dive with a buddy

• A thorough buddy check before every dive

• Make a safety stop at the end of every dive

• Ascent as slow as possible

• Use a line for your descents and ascents

• Plan your dive and dive your plan

• Dive within your limits

• Maintain buoyancy control at all times

• Stay within the limits of your dive table or computer

• Use proper and complete equipment

• Always carry an alternate airsource

• Dive with a dive center that follows safety standards

• Take your course(s) with a professional Instructor

• Regularly practice your diving skills

• Continue your diving education

DON'T:

• Use alcohol and/or drugs before diving

• Exceed the maximum depth for your level

• Exceed the maximum depth limit of 40m (132ft)

• Dive with unfamiliar equipment

• Dive in unfamiliar conditions without a guide

• Fly or go in the mountains within 24 hours of diving

• Exceed the maximum ascent rate of 18m (60ft) p.m.

• Attempt diving without the proper training

• Harass or touch anything in the water

• Hold your breath at any time while using scuba

• Let a "friend" teach you diving

• Dive if you have any doubts about the dive

• Do anything you don´t want to do

Refer to your course manual(s) or your instructor or dive center if you have any questions about how to conduct your dives safely. You can also contact (or become a member of) the Divers Alert Network. DAN is the organization dedicated to dive safety. For more info go to the DAN Website.