Understanding the safety concerns and annoyances of divers can help you make your early transition into the hobby much easier. There are particular behaviors that divers cannot stand. There are also easy-to-miss safety concerns that you must keep in mind when you are going to be taking your first round of dives. Nobody wants to be a bother or a liability, so keeping in mind the basic actions to avoid or to be aware of is key to having a quality and successful dive.
First and foremost is to always remember SAFE DIVE. Self-reliance, attitude, fitness, experience, diving skills, involvement, variety, and equipment are all necessary concepts to keep in mind. Each is an attitude of how one should be able and willing to act while diving. No diver wants to diver with a person who does not have the proper professional-yet-excited attitude toward diving. Divers also are not interested in diving with those who do not know how to deal with equipment properly. Nor do seasoned divers want to be with someone who does not possess the proper skills for a safe dive. If it your first dive, admit so. If your diving partners are much more experienced than you are, or are talking about taking on feats you are not sure you can handle, say so. Almost every diver will be much more comfortable pulling back a bit on the dive rather than deal with an emergency situation.
When it comes to annoying new diving partners, nothing will bother a good diver more than a person who cannot stay within the limits. Make sure you are safe and cautious. Do not force others to worry about whether what you are doing is safe. If other divers have to waste time on worrying about your safety, they cannot enjoy themselves. This also means ascending and descending slowly to avoid the bends.
Managing air is another important skill that you must hone and live by. By pushing the limits of your air supply, you endanger not only yourself, but also everyone else around you. Make sure that your air supply gauge reads properly and is not prone to lock up. Ensure all your pressure gauges are in proper shape as well. Be clear and precise on the call signs on when to “call the dive” and make sure there is a set time to check in for such a need. By having this information laid out before a dive, you avoid dangerous situations.
Finally, it is very important to make sure everyone is 100% clear on all the diving essentials and protocol. Any first-aid information that must be relayed should be made clear. Any information on equipment limitations or possible malfunctions should be noted right away. And it is always best to make sure everyone knows which dive computer is to be followed. The rule of thumb is usually that the most conservative computer is the one to follow.
