Returning Safely At The End Of Your Dive
By Chex

Just like all the divers out there, you would like to have your dive last as long as possible but invariably it must come to an end. Here are a few safety tips and advice to safely end your dives.

Signal your partner - Always important. Make sure your dive buddy knows that you are preparing to surface. Surfacing alone and leaving your buddy clueless is one of the worse things you can do. Remember, communication is extremely important here.

Preparation - Well, make sure you are ready to surface. Have your hand on the Power Inflator to let loose unwated air if you are ascending too fast, have your gauges in view so you can check your ascend rate, depth, air. etc... LOOK UP and make sure you have a clear ascend trajectory. You don't want to hit anything or anybody on your way up. Hiting your head under someone's tank is an extremely painful experience.

Location, location - You want to make sure you know where you are surfacing. Having to swim 100 yards on surface might not be what you were looking forward to after a long and exhaustive dive. You don't want to surface right under the boat either for obvious reasons.

Slow Ascents - Remember, this is not a race to see who surfaces the fastest. If your buddy is ascending too quickly, make sure he/she knows and corrects the problem.

Safety Stops - Better safe than sorry. Make sure you know your dive profile beforehand to see if you need or not a safety stop. In case of borderline or if you are unsure, make a safety stop anyways. It won't hurt, unless of course if you are almost out of air.

Inflate your BC - Your BC does more than strap in your tank. Inflate it when you are on the surface. Save and conserve your energy. Make sure your dive buddy is next to you and that everything is OK.

Wait for your turn - Again, this is not a race. Don't crowd the ladders and don't stay below of one until the dive before you is safely and securely on the boat. Dropped weights, and tanks are heavy hazards. A false step or a slip and will send the diver back down to the water and you do not want to be at the receiving end of it.

Relax - You are the last one in the water? Relax. The boat captain knows you are still in the water and will not leave without you. Making sure your and other diver's safety comes first is very important

Follow these simple rules and advice and you will be back on the boat in no time. Remember, safety first. Have fun and enjoy your dives. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the readers of http://www.scubadivinguniverse.com and http://www.no-deco.com