How To Prepare For Your Diving Trip
Diving is a way for you to get in touch with all the beauty and life the ocean has to offer. Diving also requires preparation in order to be safe and successful. If you're new to diving, make sure you're prepared for your next trip by following these steps:
1. Practice
Practice makes perfect--especially with diving. Before you go into the water you need to know diving basics first. Go to a local pool or lake and familiarize yourself with the process. Practice taking your gear on and off. Know how to operate all your gear, especially your dive computer. Make sure everything is in good condition. Practice diving and using gear until you're comfortable.
2. Buy, repair, or replace gear
Working, accurate gear is the key to a fun and safe diving trip. Here is a quick checklist to use to prepare for your trip:
- Have your regulator overhauled
- Check your wetsuit for holes and make sure it fits
- Check all your zippers, belts, and release straps
- Have your personal decompression meter serviced. A dive computer service typically includes battery replacement and testing. Some services include calibration.
3. Purchase insurance
Before leaving for your trip, make sure your health insurance plan covers diving. If not, see if your travel insurance covers medical expenses that you may incur on a diving trip. Some diving companies offer special diving insurance that you can buy. You can also buy insurance for your diving gear.
4. Review emergency procedures
Make sure you have your emergency beacon in good condition and ready to go. Study all the emergency hand signals before your trip. You also need to make a plan with your companions for different emergency situations. Know what to do if you get separated or if there's a medical emergency. You also need to recognize the signs of nitrogen narcosis in yourself and others. Nitrogen narcosis is a medical condition that affects the ability to think and act. Here are the signs:
- Euphoria or paranoia
- Trouble reading a dive computer or watch
- Change in taste
- Seeing strange color
Having your dive computer calibrated by a dive computer service will also help you avoid decompression sickness and its symptoms.
5. Have a physical
Just like checking your gear is important, it's also important to check your body. You need to be in good health to make your diving trip a safe one. Make an appointment to see your doctor. Your doctor will check you for medical conditions that put you at risk when diving. Some of these medical conditions include heart or lung problems. Your doctor will also make sure you're up to date on all your vaccinations.
These five tips will ensure that your next dive trip is safe, fun, and relaxing.
