Safety rules
The rules that keep every dive safe.
Never hold your breath
The golden rule of scuba.
Ascend slowly
Slow ascents let nitrogen leave the body safely.
Dive with a buddy
Your buddy is your first safety system.
Pre-dive buddy check
BWRAF: BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final OK.
Equalise your ears
Equalise early and often, before you feel pain.
Decompression sickness (DCS)
Bubbles of nitrogen forming in the body after a dive.
Do not fly after diving
Wait before flying or going to high altitude.
Nitrogen narcosis
Deep air can make you feel drunk or careless.
Nitrox and oxygen safety
Enriched air has more oxygen and less nitrogen.
Plan your air: rule of thirds
One third out, one third back, one third reserve.
Control your buoyancy
Good buoyancy protects you and the reef.
Currents and drift diving
Never fight a strong current.
Hydration, alcohol and rest
A well-rested, hydrated diver is a safer diver.
Insurance and emergency plan
Know where the nearest chamber is before you dive.