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 youŽll be able to dive safely and youŽll know what to look for when you enter a dive center and/or go diving with one. YouŽll 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.
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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.
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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, BCDŽs 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.
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Before the dive
Before the dive the dive guide or dive center should verify:
or
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
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During the Dive
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
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After the dive:
After the dive the dive guide should:
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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.
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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).
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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 youŽll find in the list of requirements PADI Resort Centers have to comply with, see 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 donŽt want to do
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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 DAN
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