SSI OPEN WATER DIVERCMAS ONE STAR DIVER

PROGRAM

LECTURE 3

EMU UNDERWATER SPORTS CLUBCIU UNDERWATER SPORTS CLUB

Safety Diving

One of the most vital parts of every scuba dive is the pre-dive safety check, also commonly known as the buddy-check. The check should always be done with the diving buddy before starting the dive.Pre-dive safety check has 2 goals: to make sure that all of the equipment used by your diving buddy is working perfectly and to familiarize yourself with your buddy’s gear so that you are know how to free of their weights, to use their deflators and alternate air source. All these information will be essential in the case of any emergencies faced while diving.

The pre-dive scuba safety check ought to be carried out when you have put on all of your gears, except for the fins and mask. It is recommended that the pre-dive scuba safety check routine be done while the divers are still on the boat or on land. Under special circumstances, this check can be performed while the divers are in the water prior to the dive.

                                   

                                     

• Buoyancy

• The main idea of buoyancy check is to ensure that your buddy’s buoyancy compensator (BC) is working as it should. Start by inflating the BCD, though not completely as it may cause discomfort on your buddy. Deflate the BC to assure hat the deflator is operational as well.

• Weights• Inspect the weight system on you buddy. Check

on your buddy’s weight belt to make sure that it is put on properly and the quick-release is hindrance free and can be accessed quickly. Inspect also the weights which are being put in your buddy’s BC to make sure that they are secured properly and that you are aware on how to let loose of it.

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• Releases• Verify that all the releases on your buddy are

correctly secured. This will include the Velcro at the waist band and the two clips on the shoulder. Most of the buoyancy compensators also have a stomach and chest clip. Do touch each of the clips during the check and count each of them out loud. Check on the strap on the dive cylinder and clip too by placing a hand at the tank bottom and the other hand on the first stage regulator and move the cylinder to observe if the strap will give way.

• Air• Check also that your diving buddy’s air is turned

on completely with a half-turn back. Take a look at the SPG while having your dive buddy inhale once or twice from the regulator. Check also that the dive cylinder is full by monitoring the SPG and that the needle doesn’t plunge as they inhale. Check also on your buddy’s alternate air source by breathing from it.

• Final OK

• Ensure that all the required gears such as mask and fins are in place and ask if your dive buddy is prepared to go. Only dive once everything is in order.

• Dive Computer

• Device that does all the hand work for you. No more multi level diving calculations, no more PADI wheel - based on empicic data and theoretic models - not necessarily always right but a great help for repetitive diving. Beeps often. Dive computers address the same problem as decompression tables, but are able to perform a continuous calculation of the partial pressure of inert gases in the body based on the actual depth and time profile of the diver. As the dive computer automatically measures depth and time, it is able to warn of excessive ascent rates and missed decompression stops and the diver has less reason to carry a separate watch and depth gauge. Many dive computers also provide additional information to the diver, for example, the water temperature, information on the diver's oxygen toxicity or the pressure of the remaining breathing gas in the diving cylinder

http://www.bjornwahlstedt.com/diving_philippines_2006-2007/images_sabang_2006_diving/balloon_2.jpg

Many cave diving accident victims assume they are swimming into a single, sewer-like conduit. Imagine their shock when, upon turning to exit, they discover multiple passageways behind them — and that which passage leads to safety is not always clear.             

NO HUNTING WITH SCUBA EQUIPMENT

• With one girl wearing a red tank and the other a yellow tank it might be possible to keep track of them even under the surface.