Just Look No Touch

Most marine life injuries are generally the result of poor buoyancy skills and bad diving habits, mainly the later one. Inadvertent contact with marine life usually results in the destruction of many living organisms and sometimes a painful injury to the diver. Some fish use poisonous spines like scorpion fish, stonefish and lionfish. Many hydroids such as fire coral and anemones have stinging cells that will give divers painful reminders.

The best way for diver to prevent these injuries is by overcome the bad habit of touching things underwater. Divers should avoid the temptation of handling any marine life.

Healthier Diver, Safer Diver

Scuba diving can involve stressful situations such as buddy separation, equipment problems or disorientation. Out of shape divers are generally at higher risk in stressful situations; they are more prone to over exertion, higher breathing rates and higher chance to get decompression illness. On the other hand, fitter divers have a huge advantage over those who are out of shape.

If you are out of shape, it’s about time for you to start an exercise program and make it as part of your lifestyle. Fitter you, happier and safer dive experience. Needless to say, you will look great on the tight fitting wetsuit or skinsuit too :-D

Practice Self Independent

Recreational divers are trained and done in buddy pairs or teams. But diver should strive to be competent in all aspects of dive from start to finish without counting on someone else to take care of things for you. For instance, you should familiarize yourself with the dive site and be able to navigate underwater. Don’t be content to play follow-the-leader even on guided dives. When diving with buddy, each diver should share responsibility for planning and executing the dive.

Get additional training like Rescue Diver, EFR and scuba specialities to build your skills and confidence. Once again, avoid developing leader/follower relationship. Trust me; it’s more fun if you’re more self-reliance on each dive.