1. Do an orientation check.   Ask the diver his/her name, the date, and to explain what happened on their dive.  Answers to these questions may demonstrate the diver has some confusion.  Even if answers to these questions are correct, make sure general conversation is making sense.
2. Eye test-  With the head held still, have the diver follow your hand while it moves in upwards/downwards, and in side to side directions.   Your hand should be placed approximately 18 inches from the person's face.   The eyes should track smoothly in every direction and should not exhibit any jumping/bouncing around while tracking.   Look at their peripheral vision - when are they able to see an object coming around from behind their head?  Is it symmetrical on both sides?  Shine a flash light in their eyes.  Do their pupils get smaller, then larger again when the light is removed?
3. Forehead -  With the divers eye's closed, lightly touch their forehead and face.   Are they able to feel your touch and is it the same on both sides of the face?  Check strength by trying to open the divers eyes (from above their brow)  after they have shut them tightly.  Ask them to furrow their brow.   Is there a difference between right and left brows?
4. Observe the divers face.  Is the diver able to pucker his lips to whistle?  Is the diver able to smile?  Have them clench their jaw and  have the examiner feel if both sides of the jaw are exhibiting equal strength.  Is sensation present?
5. Check the ears.  With the divers eyes closed, ask them if their hearing seems normal.  Hold your hands 2 feet from the divers ear.  Rub your finger and thumb together, and gradually  move closer until the diver is able to hear you.
6. Check the gag reflex.  Does the diver's "Adam's apple" move up  and down when you ask him to swallow?
7. Have the diver stick their tongue out.    Make a note whether the tongue comes straight out or moves to one side or the other.
8. Check the shoulder strength.   With your hands firmly positioned on the divers shoulders, ask them to shrug their shoulders.  Is one side stronger than the other?  Do the shoulders have any sensation here?
9. Check arm strength.  Ask the diver to squeeze your fingers.  Is one hand stronger than the other?  Have them raise their arms to chest level straight in front of them.  Push down gently, then pull on elbows with the diver attempting to  resist the motion.  Is one side stronger than the other?  Are they able to feel both their arms?
10. With the diver's eyes closed, check sensation their chest.
11. With diver lying flat, have diver raise and lower their legs with resistance.  Note if there differences in strength between sides.  In standing, check balance and coordination by asking them to walk in a heel-toe fashion.   Guard closely, as falls should be avoided.  Is sensation in the legs present?

If the diver is unable to complete one of these tests, indicate which test was omitted and why.

Repeat the tests every hour.  Make sure results are documented and present them to medical personnel.

Notice how the exam moves in a head to toe direction.  The body parts are highlighted, and work their way from mind/brain to the feet.  These two things may help you remember the steps of a complete exam.  Hopefully this tool is one you'll never have to utilize, but as a responsible diver, you should review and practice it frequently so that if you find a diver in need, you'll be able to step up and help.

-- Shannon

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Suffering a ruptured eardrum is an unfortunate and unnecessary complication of scuba diving. If you understand a couple facts about your eardrum and about scuba diving, it's actually quite easy to avoid.

What is the Eardrum?

The eardrum (also known as the tympanic membrane) is the thin membrane that separates the outer and middle ear. This important structure serves two purposes: It prevents ear infections by serving as a barrier to block bacteria from entering the middle ear, and it also allows you to hear. When sound waves strike the ear drum, it vibrates and creates nerve impulses that travel to the brain, resulting in a hearing sensation.

As you can probably guess, the two main consequences of a ruptured eardrum are possible infection and temporary hearing loss.

How Does an Eardrum Rupture?

Although a ruptured eardrum can be caused by several things, including acoustic trauma, fluid buildup from ear infections, and direct damage from foreign objects, the main concern divers need to be aware of is barotrauma (pressure-induced injury).

The middle ear is an airspace, and all air spaces are affected by changes in pressure. Whenever the pressure outside an airspace is greater than the pressure inside, the outer pressure causes the airspace to compress, unless the imbalance is equalized.

Divers call this compression a squeeze. Another common situation in which you may have felt a squeeze in your ears is being on an airplane. If your ears have ever "popped," it's most likely because of a pressure imbalance.

A squeeze can range from uncomfortable to downright painful. You most likely encounter small changes in pressure everyday; however, you don't need to consciously equalize your ears because of a built-in equalization structure known as the Eustachian tube. This tube connects your middle ear to your throat. When air passes between the middle ear and your throat through this tube, the pressure in both air spaces is equalized. Yawning, chewing, swallowing, and wiggling your jaw can also help with this.

But if this built-in equalization mechanism is so handy, why do divers sometimes run into problems with their ears?

The problem is that the Eustachian tube is an airspace too, so it is subject to changes in pressure just like the ears. As the ambient pressure of the water increases, the tube is compressed or even sealed. Without an open air passage, the middle ear compresses, and the ear drum is sucked inward due to the vacuum effect. If ears aren't equalized and the vacuum effect continues to increase, the ear drum could rupture.

What Can You Do About It?

To avoid perforating your eardrum, you need to equalize your ears often during a dive (about every 5 to 10 vertical feet). You can't yawn, chew, swallow, or wiggle your jaw while you have a regulator in your mouth, but equalizing is still very easy!

Simply pinch your nostrils shut with two fingers while you gently blow through your nose. No air should escape from your nostrils, and you should feel a slight pressure or outward bulging in your ears. Make sure not to do this forcefully, though, or you'll risk blowing your eardrum anyway...exactly what you're trying to avoid!

What To Watch Out For

When you're diving, if you notice any pain, ear ringing or buzzing, or hearing loss, you should end the dive and see a doctor.

A ruptured eardrum takes about 2 to 3 months to heal. After that, you should check with an ear, nose, and throat specialist to see if it is safe to dive again. While your normal doctor would probably use an octoscope to examine your eardrum, the ENT specialist uses a binocular microscope that is capable of detecting much smaller perforations. This is important because higher pressure levels can cause water to jet through even a tiny perforation, so you need to be sure the eardrum is completely healed before you dive again.

If you follow the tips outlined above, you'll probably never have to worry about being sidelined by a ruptured eardrum. Take it slow and follow responsible diving protocols, and you'll enjoy plenty of fun, safe, injury-free diving!

Katie Plotner is the creator and editor of http://www.fun-and-safe-scuba-diving.com a site that specializes in providing new and inexperienced scuba divers with easily-accessible information on scuba diving safety, equipment, certification, and tips for fun diving. A certified diver and lifelong ocean enthusiast, Katie is currently pursuing a degree in marine biology from the University of Rhode Island. She can be contacted at http://www.fun-and-safe-scuba-diving.com/contact.html and welcomes all questions and concerns related to diving.

Copyright -- You may copy, republish, and redistribute this article, provided the content, author credit, active links, and this copyright notice remain intact.

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Like any sport, in scuba diving, your equipment is important to your performance. However, unlike sports such as tennis or baseball, scuba diving equipment not only allows you to perform better, it also keeps you safe and sound. When you choose to go scuba diving, you are taking a risk. While it is not one of the most dangerous sports out there, any time that you strap on an air tank and head several hundred feet below the surface, you are putting yourself in a bit of danger. Obviously, while under the water you are susceptible to any of the many creatures the live below the oceans surface.

This can include dangerous fish, eels and sharks. You also have to deal with sharp objects that may be below the surface such as coral or scraps of metal left over from ship wrecks. The biggest danger however is not being able to breathe properly under water or coming up to quickly and creating air bubbles in your lungs. Having the proper equipment and knowing how to use it can protect you from almost all of these things. As for the sharks, just keep your fingers crossed.

The first piece of equipment you will need is a wet suit. Wet suits are made of synthetic rubber and are lined with nylon fabric. A wet suit covers your entire body and will serve two purposes. Firstly, it will keep you warm when you are submerged in cold water, it does this by keeping the moisture away from your body, thus helping to regulate your core temperature. The next protection it will provide is against getting scraped or cut by something. If you brush up against coral, a wet suit will provide a barrier between your skin and the sharp object. Flippers are good to have to in order to swim easier.

The next piece of equipment is the most important. As scuba diving takes you down below the oceans surface for long periods of time, you will need to be able to breathe. The oxygen tank is therefore the most indispensable part of your gear. This tank is strapped to the divers back and pumps oxygen directly into your face and eye mask (which are obviously important as well). Depending on the length of your dive, you can get oxygen tanks with varying amounts of oxygen. You should always have a bit more than you need in case of emergencies.

Having the correct equipment will keep you safe and ensure that you have a great time exploring the depths of the ocean!

Sydney Garrison is an avid cyclist and sports enthusiast. She is also a partner in an online bike rack store.

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There are many activities that you can do to be able to have some fun. Those who love nature can go hiking in the forest or climb a mountain. But for those who love the water, nothing beats going scuba diving.

Going underwater isn't just putting on a wetsuit and then jumping off the boat. Given that there are some dangers, here are some useful tips that are strictly enforced especially when taking a vacation in a private resort.

1. Those who love to rent the scuba diving equipment should be licensed to do so. This means presenting a plastic card certifying this before being able to proceed with the transaction.

Scuba diving isn't just for experienced divers. Most resorts conduct classes for beginners who can certify a beginner after a few days of training. Most of the lessons will be done in a pool so the progress of the student can be monitored in a controlled environment.

2. Going underwater and seeing the coral reef is different than going for a drive to the mall. This is because the person isn't familiar with the territory, which makes it important to always stay close with the group or the dive master.

3. Before diving from the boat, divers should always check the equipment. There are people who prepare the equipment but you should double check to make sure the oxygen gauge is full, the zippers and the locks on the wetsuit and the fins are working and the goggles aren't foggy.

People who do not check on the equipment will have to surface immediately ahead of the others thus ruining the underwater adventure.

4. Another safety tip is for you to learn the basic signs used underwater. These are usually done using sign language, which is the only way to communicate given that it is difficult to talk with a mouthpiece on.

5. The most important tip for scuba diving especially for beginners and experienced divers is to always go in the water with a partner. Studies have shown going in pairs increases the chances of being rescued in the event of an emergency.

Scuba diving is a lot of fun. By learning the basics, you will be able to enjoy the adventure over and over again in different dive spots across the country to see something different that is better than what Sea World has to offer.

I am Uzi , thank you for reading hope it was informative for you. For receiving another useful information about scuba diving please join my list at : http://www.freescuba-diving-lessons.com and enjoy from qualitative tips on a constant base. You can also visit my web content on: http://www.fun-scubadiving-lessons.com to enrich your knowledge on the subject.

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Scuba diving is a very exciting and fun sport for different ages. However, you can't deny that it can also be a dangerous activity especially for beginners. Nevertheless if you know the essentials of scuba diving, you can ensure safety and enjoyment.

Here are some important scuba diving tips for beginners:

1. Never learn scuba diving on your own. Take diving lessons that lead to certification before you attempt scuba diving. There are many professional diving schools that can provide this.

2. Check with your doctor to see if you are fit for scuba diving. Be sure to undergo a swimming test before you take your lessons. As a beginner, you don't need to be a competitive swimmer but should at least know how to swim properly.

3. Dive only in waters which you are certified for. There are special certifications for diving under ice water, in underwater caves, and by shipwrecks. These dangerous forms of diving need special training.

4. Never go scuba diving alone. During your first dives, be sure that you aren't only accompanies by beginners.

5. Follow instruction carefully and listen to the dive group leader.

6. Each time you go scuba diving, check your equipment that everything is functioning properly. Also make sure that everything fits you well.

7. Check the weather conditions in the area where you plan to drive. Check with the local weather bureau if it is safe to dive. If you hear of a storm coming cancel your diving trip. Not only will you get wet on the way, lightning might hit the water and you could get struck.

8. Wear sun block before diving. Even if you are underwater, you can still get sunburned. And you wouldn't notice it because of the cool water.

9. Drink a lot of water whenever you are on the surface. Being surrounded by water doesn't mean that you body will get the water it needs. Many people get dehydrated while scuba diving.

10. Be aware of the symptoms and the signs of conditions such as heat exhaustion and hypothermia. Learn about the first aid treatment for these.

11. While going on the way to the diving site, be sure to protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses because the sunlight can be reflected by the water.

These are just general scuba diving tips for beginners. To know more about scuba diving, consult a licensed diving instructor.

For receiving another useful information about scuba diving please join my list at : http://www.freescuba-diving-lessons.com and enjoy from qualitative tips on a constant base. You can also visit my web content on : http://www.fun-scubadiving-lessons.com to rich your knowledge on the subject , I am uzi thank you for reading hope it was informative for you.

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Scuba gear, like many other forms of sport and exploratory equipment, requires care and maintenance in order to last. Ideally, these items will not only last many years, but will also continue providing service which is as good as new.

Although not the most complex article of diving equipment, a scuba mask is no exception. It is a vital item which allows for underwater vision, whether the diving is taking place near Maui, Hawaii or Yongala, Australia.

Here are a few tips for taking optimal care of these items and retaining clear and comfortable sight for many dives to come:

• First time cleaning - Many new articles of scuba gear will come with labels which must be carefully removed. In addition to this, new masks in particular may have an oily residue or remainders of liquid silicone on their lenses or even their straps. Some of this material may be left over from the manufacturing process. The oily film may have been applied to the silicone to protect it during shipping. If left upon the lens, this film may cause the mask to fog up during dives. It may also prevent the mask from sealing to skin correctly, allowing it to slip off at inopportune times.
  To clear away these residues, there are a few cleaning solutions available. The first is a store-bought mask scrub. Be certain to read their instructions closely, as some are harmful for plastics. Other possibilities are to use a non-abrasive liquid dishwashing detergent, or even toothpaste. When toothpaste is utilized, it is important that a gel variety is not selected.
  Follow any of these treatments by rinsing the mask fully in clear and clean water before wearing.
• Travel care - Scuba masks commonly come in a protective case. These cases are ideal for their storage. Replacement cases are often available. For traveling convenience, a scuba gear bag may be purchased with a special pocket intended for holding the mask.
  Before leaving for a vacation which involves diving, it is wise to inspect the mask and ensure that it fits snugly. It (and all other gear) should also be inspected for any wear and tear. Ensure also that the equipment is fully dried before it is packed away.
• General treatment - Avoid leaving the mask in direct sunlight, which can be drying and bleaching. Also, do not place it face down as this may encourage scratches on the lens surface. Always clean the mask with freshwater after use.
• Defogging tips - Saliva and a toothpaste rinse are simple and generally readily available remedies to prevent the fogging up of diving lenses. There are also many commercially prepared defog solutions available for only a few dollars at any dive shop.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on parenting, recreation, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on scuba diving, please visit Scuba Gear, home to useful information on Maui scuba diving and much more.

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One of the most important aspect of every dive is to perform a pre-dive safety check, which is known as a buddy check. Pre-dive safety checks are taught by most certifying organizations. You should always perform this check with your buddy before beginning any dive.

This pre-dive safety check has a few functions: you make sure that your buddy's equipment is working as it should. You should also familiarize yourself with your buddy's equipment. this familiarization will make you aware of how to release their weights, use their deflator, and use their alternate source of air, all of which may be necessary in the event of any emergencies during the dive.

This check should always be performed once the equipment has been donned, with the exception of the mask and fins. It's ideal to perform this check while on the boat before entry or on the shore before any shore dives. If this check does slip you mind, it can be performed during decent.

This safety check is broken down into several components which are abbreviated with the acronym BWRAF. There are many mnemonics that can help you remember the steps in this safety check. You should use whatever you'll remember best. Here are some of the most common mnemonics.

• Begin With Review And Friend
• Because We Really Are Friends
• Bunnies Will Run Away Fast

Buoyancy

You want to ensure your buddy's BCD is working properly.  To do this, begin by inflating their BCD.   Do not infate it complely   You will also want to deflate the BCD to ensure that the deflator is working properly.

Weights

Check your buddy's weight system.   How this performed will depend upon what weight system being used by your buddy.

• Weight Belt: Check that your buddy's weight belt is on properly and secured.  Check that the quick release is free of obstructions and easily accessible.   Weight belts with excess length should should not be tied or tucked into the BCD or around the belt in such a way that it's difficult to perform a release.
• Integrated Weights: Check that your buddy has their weight pockets in their BCD (with weights in them!), that they are properly secured, and that you know how to release them.   For those BC's that use Velcro for the weight pockets, make sure the Velcro is not to worn that it prevents the pockets for being properly secured.

Releases

Check that all of your buddy's releases are properly secured.  This includes, but not limited to Velcro waist bands, shoulder clips, boot straps, and etc.   Many BCDs will have a chest and stomach clips. It's a good idea to touch each clip as it is checked.  Remember to check the tank strap and clip as well. You can do this by placing one hand on the bottom of the tank and the other on the first stage regulator and trying to move the tank up and down to see if the moves up and down in the secured tank strap.   If the tanks slides while doing this, resecure the tank.   It is often a good idea to wet the strap before securing it to the tank.

Air

Check that your buddy's air is turned all the way on and half a turn back. Have your buddy take one or more breaths from their regulator while you watch their SPG. While you look at the SPG, ensure that the tank is full (approximately 200 bar or 3000 psi) and that the needle doesn't dip as they breathe. If the needle dips this is a sign that the air isn't turned all the way on or there is a problem with the regulator. You should also test your buddy's alternate air source by taking two breaths from it.

Final OK

Check that your buddy has all other necessary equipment such as mask and fins. Ask your buddy if they're ready to go and if all is ok you're ready to dive.

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Are you thinking of trying a night dive? It can be a little scary at first but once you try it, you'll be hooked. It's a whole new world down there. Here are some tips to make that first night dive go smoothly:

Keep it Shallow

A night dive is typically a shallow dive. I would say 60 feet is probably max with 30-40 feet more the norm. On our night dives we typically had a maximum depth of 35-40 feet.

Dive a Familiar Site

If this is your first time scuba diving at night, try and go to a site you are familiar with. In the Caribbean, many dive operators will do a night dive at a dive site that they went to during the day.

If you are thinking of doing the night dive, sign up to do a dive at the night dive site during the day. This way you will have some idea of what the area is like and may feel less apprehensive.

Get Some Light

You obviously need some dive lights when you are doing a night dive. It's best to have a primary light and a backup light in case the first light fails. The secondary light can be small and could fit into your pocket.

You don't need the biggest and brightest light you can find. In fact, it is fun, once you get accustomed to diving at night, to turn your light off and let your eyes adjust to the dark. You'll be amazed at what you can see. Of course, it is up to you and get the light you would feel comfortable with while diving at night.

If you don't want to turn your light off underwater (I've never had a problem turning it back on but you never know) you can always face it into your BC so you get the same effect.

Many dive operators will also attach a glo-stick or something similar to your tank. This makes it easier to spot someone underwater. One dive group may have one color, another group a different color or the divemaster will have a different color so it is easier to tell who is who underwater.

Please note that some areas do not allow the use of glo-sticks due to their chemicals. In this case, another device, such as a light, can be put on the tank.

Get Familiar With the Hand Signals

When you are night scuba diving, you need to discuss the hand signals before you begin your dive. Since it is dark down there, your buddy won't be able to see your hands.

If you are on a dive boat, the divemaster will probably tell you what signals to use. If they don't, just ask. There is nothing wrong with that.

A typical way to use hand signals is to shine your light on your hand so your buddy can see them. Another common night diving signal is to move your dive light in a circle to signify "OK." Moving it up and down or back and forth can signify yes or no. Whatever you choose to use, just make sure you clarify before you begin the dive.

Take it Slow

There is alot to see at night. You will see a whole different world underneath at night than during a day. Take your time and look in those nooks and crannies.

The reef also looks brilliant and colorful in the beam of your light. Much different than during the day when you are diving deeper and the colors are absorbed.

Watch Where You Aim That Light

Be aware of where you aim your dive light. If you put the full force of that light beam into somebody's eyes, you can momentarily blind them. It will take a little while for that diver to adjust his night vision again. So be careful.

I hope these tips will help make your first night dive a comfortable experience.

Have a great dive, Dianne Rein from www.scuba-diving-smiles.com.

Dianne Rein runs an online scuba diving guide. You can read her complete list of night scuba diving tips on her website. You will also be able to find boat scuba diving tips and air consumption scuba diving tips to help improve your scuba diving experience.

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We all know being able to clear your ears while scuba diving is very important. After all, if your ears don't clear you'll have to abort the dive. So how do you clear your ears?

The most common method is called the Valsalva maneuver. In this technique, you pinch your nostrils closed and gently blow through your nose.

If you are having problems, try these steps to help you descend safely:

• Start Before You Go Below the Water

If you are using the Valsalva maneuver, gently blow through your nose while you are waiting to start your descent. This "pre-pressurizes" the ear and makes equalization easier upon descent. Start this before you even go under the water.

• Equalize Early and Often

You've heard this in your scuba diving class. Begin equalizing as soon as your head goes underwater and continue equalizing every few feet. This is probably the most important step to descending without ear problems. If you are having problems clearing one ear, tilt your head - with the blocked ear toward the surface.

• Descend Feet First

Your Eustchian tube is affected if you descend with your head first and it makes it harder to equalize your ears.

• Ascend if You Have Problems

If your ears are not clearing properly, ascend a few feet to reduce the pressure. Try clearing them again. If it still doesn't work, ascend a few more feet and try again. Rinse and repeat until you have cleared your ears successfully.

• Do Not Force It

If you have tried ascending and it is not working, abort the dive. If you force yourself down, you can cause permanent ear injury. In this same vein, if you are using the Valsalva method, do not blow forcefully. It should be a gentle blow. A forceful blow can also cause ear injury. It's better to forego a dive than have ear problems for the rest of your life.

• Do Not Dive With a Cold

Another mantra you probably heard in your scuba class. Congestion can make equalization difficult. And even if you are able to ascend, you run the risk of having problems during ascent, a condition called "reverse squeeze." This can also be caused by medications wearing off during the dive. If you do take medicine, just be aware of the risks.

Follow these steps and you should be well on your way to having nice clear ears. Take it easy, take it slow and have a safe, comfortable dive.

Have a great dive! Dianne from www.scuba-diving-smiles.com

Dianne Rein runs an scuba diving website at scuba-diving-smiles.com You can read her full report on ear clearing tips as well as several pages of more scuba diving tips on her website.

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Reason to Learn

This basic skill is taught so that you know how to clear water from your regulator whenever you need to put it back in your mouth while underwater. You will need to do this while sharing air with a buddy or in the unlikely event that your regulator is knocked from your mouth.

Here's How:

1. Inhale normally from your regulator.
2. Holding the regulator with your right hand (as pictured) remove it from your mouth. Hold it with the mouth piece facing down
3. While the regulator is out of your mouth, slowly exhale by blowing small bubbles.
4. Place the regulator back in your mouth.
5. You will now clear the regulator using one of these methods:
   • Exhalation method: Sharply exhale into the regulator.
   • Purge button method: Use your tongue as a splash guard by placing the tip of your tongue on the top of your mouth behind your teeth, or by covering the hole in the regulator with your tongue. Push the purge button on the front of your regulator gently.

   Using either method, all of the water in the regulator will be forced out of the regulator's exhaust valves.

6. Cautiously inhale. Normally the regulator will be clear, but there may still be a small amount of water in the regulator. Breathe carefully from the regulator just in case. If water remains, repeat step 5.
7. If all is clear, breathe normally and give your instructor the OK sign.

Tips:

1. Remember to continuously exhale while the regulator isn't in your mouth.
2. If the regulator begins to free-flow (air comes gushing out) when you take if out of your mouth, either turn it so that the mouth piece is facing down or put your finger over the hole in the mouth piece. Using either method the free-flow should stop.

What You Need:

• A full set of scuba gear.

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