You are all ready to go and dive to the most beautiful area on earth. When diving in any area, even in the waters of the crystal blue Pacific Ocean, it's important to follow proper safety precautions. If you have taken a diving course, then you may know the important points to look at before diving in the water. As a matter of fact, you probably shouldn't be diving if you are not certified, but if you must break the general rules, then here are some basic safety precautions to ensure better safety for you, your dive buddy, and a check list for the safety of your equipment.
Checking the safety of your equipment is not just enough for proper check list safety guidelines for dive equipment. It's also important to check your buddy's system as well. Never, ever go on a dive trip without the assistance and coordination of a dive buddy. You both become the lifeguard for the other, and it can be a life saving situation if you lose air or become incapacitated during the dive. Your buddy is your life saver, and you are his. Make sure to always go under the sea water with an experienced diver who knows what needs to be done in case of a serious emergency.
The safety tips check list is broken down into five components. Diving schools and other instructors have come up with an acronym for the checklist. It's done with BWRAF and there are plenty of mnemonics that go along with this acronym to help you find the ability to memorize and remember which equipment is most important to check. A few sample mnemonics that have come about to help new divers remember which equipment needs to be check for both you and your buddy:
Safety Tips Checklist
Begin With Review And F riend
Beans With Rice And Fish
Because We Really Are Friends
Tip 1: BC
Check to make sure that it is fitted correctly, all the hoses are going to the right connectors, operation, low pressure inflator connection, and that the tank is firmly situated and the tank won't slip out.
Tip 2: Weights
Check you and your buddy's weight belt. Make sure it is on tightly. Some weight belts are made where weights are integrated or added in a compartment. If it's in a compartment, then you should make sure the compartments are properly closed.
Tip 3: Releases
Check to make sure you and your buddy's releases are secured. Many BCDs have multiple clips such as a clip that attaches at both the stomach and the chest. As you check each clip, make sure you listen to their sound to make sure they are securely fastened. You can also check to make sure it's securely fastened by lifting the tank up and down to see if it moves.
Tip 4: Air Tank
The air tank is important to make sure it is working properly before diving into the water. Check to make sure your buddy's air supply is turned on and he should do the same for you. Also make sure the tank is full of air before diving into the water. Ask your buddy to take a breath, and the needle on the air gauge should not move as your buddy takes a breath. If alternative air is available, check its air supply as well.
Tip 5: Final Check
Do a final review - inspect for out of place equipment, missing gear, dangling gagues. It's much easier to do it now than in the water!
Lutetia McDivitt writes on a number of topics - Hawaii adventures, various products she thinks are interesting and under served, and general information about Hawaii.
Check out Hawaii scuba diving. It's really fun!
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