To avoid serious injuries or accidents, divers must follow the rules of scuba diving. Scuba divers are required to regularly check their gauges during dives so they don't run out of air. They can quickly run out of air, which can prove fatal. Holding breath during diving can lead to serious injury. Continued breathing is fine as the air in the lungs expands during a dive and contracts during a descent.
Before you dive, make sure to do safety checks
Before diving, divers conduct pre-dive safety inspections. A pre-dive checklist is an inspection of all gear and equipment before you go into the water. This check can be performed from shore or from the boat. This is a great opportunity to adjust and inspect equipment, check the air supply, and familiarize yourself with the equipment of your buddy. These are some helpful tips for performing pre-dive safety inspections.
Safety checks for pre-dive equipment
You should perform several safety checks before you go scuba diving. Before diving, ensure that you have tested all your equipment. Your wetsuit and hoses should be tested. Your dive operator should be able to show you how to use your emergency procedures and decompression chamber. Test all your buddy's equipment, including their tank straps. This will enable you to know how best to safely exit the water, in case something goes wrong.
Ascending slowly to avoid decompression sickness
To avoid decompression sickness, scuba divers should ascend slowly and always stop at the surface. It's easy and can save you tons of time. You should always be looking for boats while you are descending and keep your distance from the dive flag. If you cannot hear any boats, it is safe to continue slowly.
Always wear a snorkel while scuba diving
If you want to dive in deeper waters, a snorkel will be necessary. It allows you to breathe underwater while avoiding the risks of a drowning or an accident. It is crucial to maintain good airway control. If the snorkel doesn't fit properly, water from its mouthpiece can leak into your airway. Some snorkels may be too uncomfortable to wear. You may want to look for a new style of snorkel if this is the case.
Do not hold your breath when scuba diving
If you have trouble breathing underwater, don't hold your breath while scuba diving. A few feet can cause damage to the lungs. Your regulator should be in good shape and maintained regularly in order to prevent overpressure. You can also try to avoid holding your breath altogether by focusing on your breathing rate. No matter how much you love diving, you should not hold your breath underwater.