Responsible Diver Checklist

When you drive a car, there are certain things you must do to be considered a responsible driver. Just like in driving there also things we must do to be considered a responsible diver. The saying "ENJOY THE DIVE" will help you remember it.

E - Equipment well maintained and complete
Are you diving with old equipment ? When was your equipment last inspected and serviced ? You should have all equipment serviced on a yearly basis. The regulator needs to have all seals, and parts replaced every year. If you own tanks, again they need to be visually inspected yearly. They will drain all the air out, and look inside. Check the seals and refill. Has it been 5 years since you had the tank, you may need it to be hydro-tested.

N - Neutrally buoyant at all times
While at depth, you need to make sure that you are neutral to help protect the coral, plant life, and fish. Make sure your weights are positioned correctly to maintain a horizonatal position.

J - Just say no to drugs and alcohol
Goes with out saying, drugs and alcohol are not a good thing to do. It is even bad while diving. We, as divers, do not say we can not drink. But if you do drink then the last dive you made that day WAS your last dive. Alcohol predisposes you to DCS (decompression Sickness)

O - Observe conditions before the dive
What is the weather like the day of your dive ? What is the surf, or water conditions ? One of the hardest choices a diver has to make is whether to "dive or not dive". There is always the next day. Why put yourself in a potentially harmful position by diving in bad conditions, especially if they are beyond your training experience. Just stay out if you ever have a question on it.

Y - You've checked your air supply
Again another no brainer. Do the BWRAF procedure and check the air supply. Make sure you have enough for the dive and the air is turned on.


T - Take a safety stop before surfacing
Make a recommended stop at 15 feet for 3 minutes. This gives your body more time to "off gas" nitrogen before you exit.

H - Have an alternate air source
Must at least have an octopus set up in the "triangle" area. But better yet you should consider having a redundant air supply. An extra air supply with enough air to get you to the surface from any depth. My choice would be Spare Air. Check them out.

E - Enter and exit with care
You have a lot of gear on, so make sure you watch where you are walking. You do not want to fall and injure yourself before you get to the water. Pick good enter and exit points that are easy to navigate from keeping in mine safety.


D - Dive your plan
Every dive you go should be planned. The maximun depth, time, how you will swim the dive, who will lead, etc. Go over signals prior to the dive. Go over what you want to accomplish on the dive, ie see the wreck, feed the fish. Do not alter your dive plan, while underwater you may be thinking clearly and to alter it then, might put you and your buddy in an unsafe condition. Try to stay close to the plan you set.

I - I am a Responsible Diver
Make this statement to yourself that you are responsible and that you WILL do things to make you a responsible diver. Reading this is the first step towards that goal. Good for you.

V - Verify your buddy's equipment
Go over you buddys equipment prior to the dive by doing the BWRAF procedure. Check to make sure it is complete and working properly.

E - Enjoy the dive !
Above all this, make sure you enjoy the dive. The best way to do this is to make sure that you are properly trained for the dive you will make, that you have had plenty of rest prior to the dive, that you are mentally ready, and that you have planned the dive. If you do all the above you will have a Great dive.

Lets all be Responsible Divers. Until next time "Let's Get Wet".