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Scuba Diving Safety and the Importance of a Diving Buddy

June 16, 2008 By

By Thijs Hottenhuis

Scuba diving has always been a "buddy-sport," an activity that you did with at least two people. You learned how to dive together, and help each other, should the need arise. Lately, some divers move first to technical diving and then to solo-diving. There are now even books and official courses promoting solo-diving on the market.

Solo-diving as an alternative to buddy-diving does not make a lot of sense. It is another way to promote diving, to make some extra money, that may be interesting for the marketing department of some scuba diving organizations, but it is a dangerous development. The main danger lies in the fact that most players in the scuba diving industry have the tendency to copy one another, when there is money to be made.

Scuba diving has always been a "buddy-sport" for a reason. For some people solo-diving may be more attractive, considering the freedom you have when solo-diving. But there is a price to pay, and this price is a higher risk of having accidents. Every scuba diving safety organization can confirm that solo-diving is a higher risk activity than buddy-diving.

One reason for this is the buddy-check. When you perform a good buddy-check your equipment receives a double-check before the dive: once by you, when you build it up, and once by your buddy, who does a systematic check of your diving equipment. This means that the chance that you enter the water with faulty equipment is much smaller.

But it does not stop there. During the dive your buddy can help you, when you become entangled, or when you have an equipment problem. And in extreme cases, like when you have a heart attack or a deep water blackout, your buddy can bring you to the surface. When you have these extreme problems when you dive on your own, it means that this dive was your last dive.

You not only need a buddy in these extreme cases. It is good to have someone who reminds you about the time and depth limits of the dive, or who asks you if you still have enough air. A buddy who can point you in the right direction when you are lost underwater. Or tow you during a long surface swim, when you are very tired.

These examples show that it is safer to dive with a buddy than without a buddy. It does not matter whether you have double equipment, like double dive-computers, or double knives. They do not replace a good buddy, who cares about you and is willing and able to help you should the need arise.

It may be a personal preference whether you dive solo or with a buddy, but the accident statistics do not lie: buddy-diving is safer than solo-diving. So when you adhere to the principle "safety first," you always dive with a buddy. For most people this is not just safer, but more fun too.

Thijs Hottenhuis,

Scuba Diving Instructor, Web-writer and Webmaster of:

http://www.safediving.org

"The Online Encyclopedia Of Scuba Diving Safety."

http://www.scuba-diving-links.com

"The Biggest and most Up-To-Date Scuba Diving Links Directory on the Internet."

If you love scuba diving, you will love these two websites!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thijs_Hottenhuis
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Scuba Diving Safety – Helium is Our Friend

June 16, 2008 By

Scuba Diving Safety - Helium is Our Friend
By Thijs Hottenhuis

"Helium is our friend" is a quotation from George Irvine, head of the WKPP project. When we decide what gas mix we are going to use for our dive, and look what would be the best mix for this particular dive, then we will often choose for helium as part of the mix, instead of diving on air.

Adding helium to the mix often makes the dive safer, especially during deep dives, because of the characteristics of helium. When we dive below 30 meters, helium has the following three advantages:

-Helium is less narcotic then nitrogen or oxygen; we therefor experience less nitrogen narcosis.

-Helium is less dense then nitrogen or oxygen; the mix has a lower breathing resistance.

-Helium off-gasses quicker then nitrogen; we have a better and quicker decompression.

The fact that helium is less narcotic is reason enough to choose helium as part of the mix. Deep air diving is still the main cause of diving accidents; by adding helium to our mix we can avoid the problems associated with deep air diving. We avoid the usual symptoms of nitrogen narcosis: impaired judgement, lowered reaction speed, altered consciousness, by adding helium.

The lower density of helium is another good reason to use it, because when we use air at depth, we experience higher breathing resistance, and therefor a higher chance of "hypercapnia." "Hypercapnia" is a buildup of carbon dioxide in our body, that can cause hyperventilation and, in extreme cases, unconsciousness. Adding helium to the mix is a simple and effective method to avoid these serious problems.

The last benefit is that helium off-gasses quicker then nitrogen. Decompression theory is a difficult subject, but by using helium as part of the mix you can do a quicker and safer decompression then when you use air for your deeper dives.

Helium has two negative sides, which do not offset the benefits, but which need to be mentioned here. One is the high cost of helium, the other the fact that helium is a good thermal conductor.

Using helium-mixtures is more expensive than having your tanks filled with air. Especially in areas where it has only been introduced recently, helium is very expensive. But still, what price can you put on having a bigger chance to have an accident? Do you want to pay with money or do you want to pay with your safety?

Helium is a good thermal conductor, which means that when you use a dry-suit you cannot use the helium-mix as an inflation gas for your dry-suit. The common solution is to take a small tank with either air or argon, and use this as inflation gas during the dive. That means an extra tank and regulator, extra equipment, and extra money that needs to be invested. I think that in the long run this is a very good investment.

When you look at the negative sides of helium; the costs and the higher thermal conductivity, and the positive sides; less nitrogen narcosis, comfortable breathing, and quicker and better decompression, then the pros out-weight the cons. Then you understand why George Irvine states: "Helium is our friend."

Thijs Hottenhuis,

Scuba Diving Instructor, Web-writer and Webmaster of:

http://www.safediving.org/

"The Online Encyclopedia Of Scuba Diving Safety."

http://www.scuba-diving-links.com/

"The Biggest and most Up-To-Date Scuba Diving Links Directory on the Internet."

If you love scuba diving, you will love these two websites!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thijs_Hottenhuis
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Scuba Diving Safety and the Myth That Anybody Can Dive

June 16, 2008 By

By Thijs Hottenhuis

Scuba diving used to be an activity that attracted adventurous people, who were very comfortable in the water, fit and healthy snorkelers and swimmers. Lately it has become a mainstream activity, that is advertised as something that anybody can pursue. The result of this marketing effort is that you can expect anybody to sign up for a diving course, regardless of their medical fitness, physical fitness or comfort level in the water.

This view of scuba diving as an activity for everyone is clearly a myth. You need to be medical fit to be a diver. One third of all diving accidents involve people who are medically unfit to dive. They should not be diving in the first place, and if they had a realistic view of how healthy and fit you need to be for diving, they probably would not have started to dive.

A good basic fitness level is just as important. When a dive goes as planned, and the conditions are easy, you do not need to be fit at all. But as soon as something happens; an equipment problem, a stronger current then expected, a long surface swim to the boat, you understand that fitness is crucial for safe and enjoyable diving. Some divers complain when a dive is tougher then expected, but the time they spend complaining would be better spend working out in the gym.

A good aquatic comfort level is mandatory for signing up for a diving course. It is bizarre, that sometimes even people who cannot swim at all sign up for a diving course! The only reason I can see for this is the continuous marketing efforts of the diving industry. Diving became a must for modern people: when you go to Paris, you have to see the Eiffel Tower, and when you go to the Red Sea, you have to do a diving course!

Diving is not a must, when you go on a holiday. You can also swim, snorkel, work on your suntan, party, go sight-seeing above the water, or read some good books. If you do not feel truly comfortable in the water, if water is not your element, then do not dive. There are 100.000 other interesting activities you can pursue.

If you decide to do a diving course, then you will first have to check if you are medically fit to dive, by filling out a medical statement, and if necessary , visiting a doctor. It is crucial for your safety that you are honest during this check. Once you are declared medically fit, you will also have to asses your fitness and aquatic comfort level.

If either your fitness or aquatic comfort level is not good enough, there is work to be done. A regular, good swimming workout solves both problems at the same time, and gives you a good foundation to start a diving course. It is an investment that will pay itself back in better health and more fun during your dives.

Thijs Hottenhuis,

Scuba Diving Instructor, Web-writer and Webmaster of:

http://www.safediving.org/

"The Online Encyclopedia Of Scuba Diving Safety."

http://www.scuba-diving-links.com/

"The Biggest and most Up-To-Date Scuba Diving Links Directory on the Internet."

If you love scuba diving, you will love these two websites!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thijs_Hottenhuis
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Scuba Diving Safety – Practicing Your Basic Diving Skills

June 16, 2008 By

By Thijs Hottenhuis

One aspect of scuba diving safety is the training of your basic diving skills: mask clearing, regulator recovery, out-of-air drills and buoyancy control. There are more skills that are considered to be basic diving skills; buddy checks and compass navigation to name a few, but let's look at these four for the moment.

Mask clearing is a skill you need, when water leaks into your mask because you move your facial muscles, you need to clear the water out of your mask. The regulator recovery is a skill you might need when you lose your regulator from your mouth, often caused by a fin-kick from your buddy. There are two ways to recover the regulator, the "sweep-method" and the "reach-method."

Out-of-air drills are normally only needed when you forget to monitor your air supply, and breath your tank empty. You then need to secure the octopus of your buddy for breathing. And buoyancy control is a basic skill, because without good buoyancy control, you need to use your strength and stamina to control your depth, and this depletes the reserves you might need during an emergency.

These four skills have in common that they have to be practiced until they become second nature. You cannot practice them once or twice and then think that it is enough. When you need the skills they have to be trained reflexes, and that means that they have to be trained regularly, over and over again.

Most holiday-divers, and even some divers who dive almost every week, hardly practice the basic diving skills. This is downright naive. If you study martial arts, how often do you practice a certain kick? One, two, or hundreds of times? When you play tennis, how often do you repeat your backhand drills, before you are satisfied with the results? Five times, ten times, or hundreds of times?

Every year several divers die because they have a regulator or mask problem, and they do not have the necessary routine to solve the problem, and then panic. They thought that practicing a couple of times would be enough, and they where proven wrong. Do not end like one of these statistics. It does not take much time to practice the basic drills, and it will build your skill and confidence.

A good way to practice your basic diving skills is to take a couple of minutes during every dive, after the safety stop, to work on improving your skills. Mask clearing, mask removal and replacement, regulator recoveries (both ways) and an out-of air drill, all while remaining neutrally buoyant, to practice your buoyancy control at the same time.

If you make this "skill drills" part of your diving routine you will become a more confident and capable diver. The more skilled you are the better you will feel underwater. You will be better equipped to cope with emergencies. You will feel more relaxed and have more fun while diving.

Thijs Hottenhuis,

Scuba Diving Instructor, Web-writer and Webmaster of:

http://www.safediving.org/

"The Online Encyclopedia Of Scuba Diving Safety."

http://www.scuba-diving-links.com/

"The Biggest and most Up-To-Date Scuba Diving Links Directory on the Internet."

If you love scuba diving, you will love these two websites!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thijs_Hottenhuis
http://EzineArticles.com/?Scuba-Diving-Safety---Practicing-Your-Basic-Diving-Skills&id=1218365

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Scuba Diving Do's and Don'ts (You Might Have Overlooked)

June 16, 2008 By

By Darrell Young

If you have ever taken a sea cruise to say the caribbean or west coast around Catalina, you'll recall how blue and clear the water was. The perfect location for underwater enjoyment.
I think that (If) you were into scuba diving, or maybe not, and the cruise offered an underwater expedition you would want to sign-up. A big (If). If you sign-up, you would want to be in good physical condition and be an experienced swimmer, and most of all be Certified. Certification assures the cruise dive team you are a qualified Scuba Diver, the Grim Reaper also lurks underwater.

Scuba diving is one of the greatest sports activities in the world, but there are certain knowledge involved before entering into your exciting journey.

Here are some Do's and Don'ts connected with Scuba Diving.
(Do's): (1) Be in good physical condition and be Certified. Physical Fitness and Certification are the two most important aspects of diving, make your journey enjoyable and safe.

(2) Have a check list. There are many items to consider, but these are the most important items to be sure you have before leaving home.

Mask, Diving Fins, Weight belt, Regulator and Octopus, Compass, Dive Light with backup, Dive knife, Dive watch, Air Tank and backup, Dive flag, Spare mouthpiece, First Aid kit, Flare gun-don't forget the flares.

(3) Have a diving partner. This will make your diving more pleasant and safe, especially if you get into trouble. Keep visual contact at all times, and try not to kick out you're partners mouthpiece.

(4) Have a third person. It's very important to have a third person along top side. They should have a cell phone handy in case of trouble, they can also assist you when getting out of the water.

(5) Take along an underwater camera and underwater light and backup. You'll want to show your friends and family pictures of your beautiful underwater adventure.

(Don'ts): (1) Please Don't Drink and Dive. Intoxication can put a diver in a compromised position. One being, the inability to use common sense, and make rational judgments, especially when it involves safety involving yourself and your partner. Leave the booze at home to enjoy while your viewing your pictures.

(2) Forget to let someone know where you are going and approx. when you'll return.

(3) Eat a big meal before making your dive. You should wait at least two (2) hours after eating before you make your dive. Diving on a full belly can put you in a dangerous situation. Not only creates the possibility of acquiring cramps, but also possible upchucking in your mouthpiece making it difficult to breath.

These are just a few of the Do's and Don'ts connected with the sport of Scuba diving.

Here are a few topics in my Tid-Bit section you might be interested in.

Tid-Bits: Several centuries B.C. ancient carvings revealed Assyrian soldiers crossing rivers using inflated goatskins. This the only documentation that inflated goatskins might have been used as breathing devices. I'll leave this to the readers imagination.

Leonardo de Vinci made the first known mention of an underwater breathing device. (UBD) around the 15th century. He described it as Bad Human Nature, and gave no details as to how it worked. Mainly because using the (UBD) could possibly be used to sink ships and even used to commit murder.

Waterproof goggles were first introduced in France in the 1930's. They were actually invented by Guy Gilpatrick to keep the salt water out of your eyes at the surface. Thanks Gil.

The first Scuba Certification course in the USA was offered by the L.A. Co. Dept. of Parks and Recreation. The program was introduced by Albert Tillman and Bev Morgan.

It was 1956 before wetsuits became available to the public.

I will be adding Tid-Bits to upcomming articles. The main topic of this article is to caution you as a diver to use sound judgement in safety and take advantage of the great rewards you'll receive from your Scuba Diving Experience

If you are new to scuba diving, or experienced, you can visit my website at http://www.scuba-pro-tips.com for Tips and solutions you might use in your quest to discover how to become proficient in the beautiful art of Scuba Diving

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darrell_Young
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