Scuba Diving and Sports Diving have over the last ten(10) to fifteen (15) years become a mainstream family sports activity and as such are currently very popular in most holiday destinations and even at home (In Colder Climates Diving is even very popular, UK, Scandinavia, Germany etc.etc.)... I am writing this blog for two major reasons; 1. Because Diving has been my life and my passion for a very long time, and 2, There is a growing concern with Fast-Track, Resort and Scuba Training that in some rare cases can be dangerous, and even fatal...
My background is from a training and certification agency called ITDA Group International, International Technical Diving Agency. www.diveitda.com and along with most of the other mainstream training and certification bodies worldwide our primary concern is diver SAFETY... This blog is aimed at two levels;
1. Learning to Dive Safely and 2. Certified Divers from any and all agencies to consider the basic skills involved in SAFER DIVING,Understanding Decompression and dive theory, (Yes! All diving is Decompression Diving, and calling it "No-Decompression Diving" does NOT reduce the risks), also to develop and practice those skills which are vital to Safer Diving.
Learning to Scuba Dive is very easy, but beware of those
Dive Centres advertising, Cheap 1 or 2 day certification programs that give you an International License to dive without supervision.For many people these programs will be fine but for some they may be disaster.... The basic elements in learning to dive safely are just threefold;
1. Understanding and Managing the Equipment and 2. Breathing from Scuba underwater and learning to move around, and 3. Personal Safety, Understanding a little bit about the physics and physiology involved will help to understand the risks involved...
Before anyone learns to dive they would be well advised to be reasonably fit and healthy, (You do not need to be superman or Wonder Woman), just average fitness for your age group...
There are some very serious contra-indications to diving and these include:
- Heart or Lung Problems
- Recent Surgery
- Head or Neck Injuries
- Pregnancy or possible pregnancy
- Any recurring headaches and pains
- Epilepsy
- Drug dependant Asthma (Ventolin or other dependants)
- Insulin Dependant Diabetics
But they will ask you to fill out a "Disclaimer/Wavier Form", to offer them some protection in the unlikely event of an accident. In some cases they may even ask you to just write no, next to all the questions, as on most forms answering yes can lead to a request for medical examination / check up before diving...
And this may increase the cost and put people off... If you are of average general health and average fitness, you will probably be fine in most cases, however having also been trained as a Medic and an experienced Hyperbaric Chamber Operator, I would strongly advise anyone to have a medical check up before learning to dive... I have seen too many diving accidents... That should not have occured but some people even dive against the advice of a doctor...
Diving Safety for already certified divers. Please take the diving safety quiz at: www.diveitda.com/saferdiving.htm and see how you score.... As certified divers at any level you must consider the hazards involved in every dive and the more experience you get, you will become better safer divers. Please consider the following safety tip to increase your diving safety and pleasure:
- Always Complete a Risk Assessment before Diving
- Always maintain your diving fitness level
- Check and recheck your Equipment (Especially after servicing or if New)
- Plan your Dive and Stick to It! Build in Safety margins of 30%+
- Know your Buddy and dive group before the dive
- Know where the radio is, First Aid Kit and OXYGEN (And know how to use it!)
- Be able to perform a rescue from the depth you are diving to
- Prepare an Emergency Plan and Evacuation plan if diving in remote areas
- Be properly experienced and trained/certified for the diving you are doing
- DO NOT DIVE BEYOND YOUR OR OTHERS IN YOUR GROUP LIMITATIONS
There are far too many other aspects of SAFE Diver training to include here in this blog, which is just to get your interest... Wet your appetite... I have written many manuals on diver training from Sports Diving, to Professional Diving, and have just published a New hardback and now available as a low cost E-Book (-50% off retail)... Safer Diving from Beginner to Professional, available from: www.diveitda.com/ebooks.htm
Please take a Higher Level Training Program in Rescue and Dive Medic or Diving First Aid / Basic Life Support... From your agency... Or if you wish to view the ITDA Group Web site...
Steve Murray PhD. DMT(IT)
Assessor Examiner / Professional Diver
and English Lecturer...
Please visit: www.webplusenglish.com English Training Programs on-line...
Please visit our diver training & certification site at: www.itdagroup.com
If you are a diver and have some interesting stories about safe diving or about accidents or near accidents please let me know... stevem@itdagroup.net
