Is Scuba Diving Safe? Expert Tips and Insights!

Yes, scuba diving is a safe, fun, low-risk activity.

Like any other sport, scuba diving is as safe as you make it. By investing in training, having a dive plan, staying aware underwater, and choosing reputable dive operators, you can dive without fear.

I know a lot about scuba safety. I volunteer with Scubanauts International, a group of scientific scuba divers in grades 6-12. Our group has strict safety guidelines and yearly training requirements that both kids and adults participate in.

These kids are safe, confident, and skilled scuba divers. If they can do it with ease, so can you.

Additionally, I’ve completed over 300 dives (in four states and seven countries). Currently, I am NAUI rescue diver certified and a divemaster in training.

Feeling nervous about breathing underwater is a common “safety” concern. Anxiety around trying something new (like scuba) is normal, but it doesn’t mean scuba diving isn’t a safe activity.

Scuba diving injuries and death are rare. More people end up in hospital emergency rooms from biking, running, and bowling than scuba diving.

Also, scuba diving is a growing sport! Scuba diving tourism increases by about 10% every year according to GVR market research. The U.S. scuba tourism industry is worth 500 million dollars a year!

Six to nine million people worldwide scuba dive.  Two and a half million people in North America are scuba certified.  My first scuba certification was from PADI (the largest scuba diving certification agency) and since 1967 PADI has certified over 28 million people!

Worldwide There are approximately 1000 scuba accidents reported per year, and 80-100 scuba related deaths. However, many of these deaths involved health issues such as a pre-existing heart condition. Additionally, another 1/4 of the deaths occurred while cave diving. This is a specialty certification and often considered to be the most dangerous form of scuba diving. I do not cave dive.

Just like any sport, it’s all about knowledge, preparation, and following safety protocols.

So, dive without fear! Scuba diving is a simply amazing experience, you won’t regret it!

Here are eight safety tips you need to know to dive with confidence.

Article Summary

1. Scuba Training and Certification Agencies
2. Equipment and Maintenance
3. Scuba Dive Safety Protocols
4. Environmental Awareness
5. Health Considerations
6. Emergency Preparedness
7. Personal Responsibility
8. Minimum Age for Scuba Diving

Scuba Training and Certification Agencies

Scuba diving certification agencies play an important role in ensuring safety and competency among divers.

The main agencies include the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), the Scuba Schools International (SSI), and the smallest is the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC).

PADI is the largest and most recognized globally. NAUI is a non-profit and known for its rigorous training standards. SSI emphasizes digital learning and a streamlined approach to certification. BSAC, prominent in the UK, emphasizes club-based training.  

All four agencies promoting safe and responsible diving.

The more certifications and dives you participate in, the more your diving will improve.

The three best things I did to improve my scuba diving:

1. Advanced certification. Although this certification does not automatically make you an “advanced” diver – only repeat dives in different water conditions can do that. Advanced certification is a great way to get more practice diving and continue building your skills and confidence in the water.

• Practice, practice, practice. As a beginner diver, I went on a dive trip to Roatan with a local scuba club. I dove 4-5 times a day for a week. I had an incredible time, and my overall diving skills improved immensely during this trip.

• Nitrox certification. Nitrox is an enriched oxygen air mix (on average 32%-36%). Nitrox allows you to dive deeper and longer with shorter rest periods between dive intervals and less fatigue (especially if doing a lot of repeat diving).

Equipment and Maintenance

I cannot emphasize this enough; buy scuba equipment you feel comfortable in!

Beginner divers usually rent their gear.  I would recommend spending time and money finding a comfortable mask that fits your face.

I’ve tried many different mask brands over the years (I have a small forehead that causes mask leaks). I found the absolute perfect mask fit and I bought extras in case the company stops making them.

Ask the dive shop about its refund policy before you purchase any gear. The internet is the worst place to shop for dive gear. Every scuba gear brand fits a little differently. Shop in person and support local dive shops.

Nothing ruins a dive faster than a leaky mask or a mask that fogs up. Make sure to clean your new mask with mask scrub (or plain toothpaste). I put a de-fogger gel in the night before a dive and do a quick rinse before I start my dive. However, all dive shops have some type of de-fogger they offer free to divers.

Key components of scuba gear include a mask, a regulator to breathe compressed air, a buoyancy control device (BCD), a rash guard, a wetsuit or drysuit for protection, gloves, a knife, a compass, fins, a tank, weights, “safety sausage”, and a dive computer for monitoring air, depth and dive time.

Proper maintenance of scuba equipment is critical to ensure its reliability and safety.

Rinsing with fresh water after each dive helps prevent corrosion and removes salt and debris. I use a 27-gallon container and soak my gear in fresh water for an hour or more. Additionally, I add a couple of cap fills of OdoBan to the water, which keeps my BCD and wetsuit smelling fresh.

Have a “bench check” inspection of your BCD and regulator every year (off-season is best for faster turnaround times). The scuba shop will check your equipment for signs of wear or damage, focusing on critical components like hoses, O-rings, and regulators.

Have your gear serviced by certified technicians is vital to ensure performance and safety underwater.

When possible, plan a local “check-out” dive after equipment servicing, especially before you leave for an out-of-state or out-of-country scuba trip.

Scuba tanks are required to be inspected yearly for corrosion. This is indicated by a dated registration sticker on the side of the tank.

Every five years a scuba tank is professionally cleaned in a process called “hydrostatic testing”.

The purpose is to ensure the scuba tank meets safety standards. Scuba tanks are all dated and marked with an additional “hydro” stamp or sticker.

The most common issue (that occasionally happens) with rental tanks is a worn-out O-ring. You will hear air leaking out of the tank when you connect your regulator and turn on your air.

This is a simple fix that takes less than a minute and is nothing to worry about.  All dive shops/ dive boats have O-rings on board and will change it out for you.

Proper storage in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight also helps extend the lifespan of scuba gear. Fin straps and mask straps wear out over time, I carry extras of both in my dive bag.

By maintaining equipment, divers can enjoy safe and comfortable underwater experiences.

Scuba Safety Protocols

Dive buddy safety is a fundamental aspect of scuba diving, emphasizing responsibility for each other’s well-being underwater.

Before every dive, divers should conduct a pre-dive safety check together, commonly known as the “buddy check” or “buddy pre-dive safety check.”

A “buddy check” involves checking that each other’s equipment is properly assembled, secured, and functions correctly.

Verify your scuba buddy’s air is turned on before a dive (the divemaster or boat crew will double check this too).

Communication signals should also be reviewed before a dive to ensure a clear understanding underwater.

“Plan your dive and dive your plan” is a meaningful scuba diving motto.

A scuba dive plan is essentially a detailed blueprint for your dive. This plan covers everything from where you’re going to dive to how deep you’ll go, how long you’ll stay underwater, and how you’ll get back safely.

However, once you are certified it is up to you to continue the practice. I ask these three things before every dive:

1. Is the dive being led by a divemaster or are buddy pairs on their own to navigate the dive site.
2. What is the expected depth and dive time?
3. Water currents – have they been weak, medium, or strong in the area?  Dive shops/boats will avoid dive sites with heavy currents or cancel the dive.
4. Safety stops, are you diving deep enough to need one? Three minutes at 15 feet is the norm, but deep dives at 80-100 feet sometimes require a minute stop at 40 feet. As a best practices rule, my dive buddy and I do this anyway.

It’s not just about picking a spot and jumping in; it’s about carefully considering all the factors that could affect your dive, like currents, visibility, and marine life.

Plan for what you will do in case something goes wrong. For example, getting separated from your dive buddy (typical protocol is to look around for one minute and then surface).

So, a dive plan is like a safety net, ensuring you and your buddy agree about the dive before the dive begins.

Once underwater, divers should stick to their planned dive profile, including maximum depth, bottom time, and safety stops.

Environmental Awareness

Environmental awareness in scuba diving means minimizing the impact of diving activities on marine ecosystems.

Controlling buoyancy is very important in order to avoid accidental contact with fragile coral reefs.

Respect the wildlife, have a “hands off” approach, and keep your distance.

I didn’t know if I wanted to scuba dive because I had an irrational fear of sharks. Now I pay extra money to go on shark dives. I absolutely love diving and snorkeling with sharks, it’s an incredible feeling seeing these animals in person.

Honestly, it is rare to see a shark, they want nothing to do with scuba divers (they are afraid of the bubbles from the regulator).

It common to see nurse sharks in Florida, they are very gentle sharks. Nurse sharks like to sleep under the rocks at the bottom of a reef and tend to swim away as soon as they see divers.

Practicing different finning techniques, such as frog kicking or helicopter turns, helps prevent stirring up bottom sediment that can reduce visibility.

If scuba diving from a boat, consider boat safety. Look up as you ascend so you do not hit another diver or the bottom of the boat. If on a drift dive (where the boat picks you up at the end of your dive) keep your distance from the boat until the boat crew tells you it’s safe to board.

Do not get right behind another diver on a boat ladder. If a wave hits the boat, or if they slip, they could fall back and hit you. Wait until the diver gets completely on the boat and then swim up to the ladder.

Furthermore, remember environmentally friendly dive practices, such as reef-safe sunscreen and reusable water bottles, reduces pollution in aquatic environments.

Health Considerations

Three common scuba diving health considerations are:

1.“Ear squeeze”. Ear squeeze is when your ears won’t “clear” when you are on your scuba descent, and you feel a pain in your ear. This is common in the diving world, and the trick is to go slow and take your time.

New divers tend to rush down to the bottom.

One of my dive buddies has ear issues, we descend slowly and are usually the last to the bottom.  If you are nervous this could happen to you tell your buddy and divemaster beforehand.

2. Sinus issues. Sinuses can contribute to “ear squeeze”. I have allergies and always have sinus medicine with me on a dive. Carry sinus medicine in your dive bag and take it before you dive.

3. Sea sickness. If you suffer from seasickness (or are concerned you might get it), I recommend taking Dramamine, Dramamine Light, or Bonnie (my preference) as prevention. If you know you are prone to seasickness pre-load your system with Dramamine Lite 2-3 nights before your dive trip, as soon as you wake up on the morning of your dive, and again midday.

Never, never, never be afraid or feel bad canceling a dive or ending a dive early if you are not feeling well. This is the number one rule of diving!

Of course, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption on days you are scuba diving helps to avoid breathing issues and dehydration.

Stay hydrated. Good hydration supports efficient off gassing of nitrogen during your dive ascent to the surface. I have never been on a dive boat that did not have water available. For beach dives bring along your water bottle.

If you are concerned with your scuba fitness, a medical check-up with an EKG is a preventative measure. With Scubanauts, I am required have a doctor sign a medical release stating I am “fit” to dive every 2 years.

Emergency Preparedness

The Divers Alert Network (DAN) is a significant resource for emergency preparedness training and guidelines.

DAN emphasizes the importance of dive planning to reduce risks before they happen.

DAN known for offering affordable medical scuba dive and dive trip insurance. This dive insurance is a mandatory safety requirement for everyone in my teen scuba group.

In being prepared, divers can boost their confidence and safety.

Divers seeking additional skills, practice, and training in this area can obtain the Rescue Diver scuba certification course.

Moreover, divers should research medical facilities and emergency procedures specific to their dive location, especially if scuba diving overseas or in a remote location.

Personal Responsibility

Number one rule of scuba diving – If you or your buddy feel uneasy or unsafe during a dive, it’s critical to speak up and call the dive off, if necessary, without feeling guilty about it.

Your safety and that of your buddy should always come first, and there’s no shame in making the right decision to abort a dive if conditions or circumstances warrant it.

It means being honest about your capabilities and limitations and never pushing beyond your comfort level.

Communication and respect between dive buddies are key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable diving experience.

Minimum age for scuba diving

How old do you have to be to scuba dive?

Children as young as 10 can undergo training and obtain a junior open water diver certification.

They’re restricted to a maximum depth of 40 feet (12 meters) and must dive with a certified adult.

There is no agreed-upon minimum age for scuba diving certification. Reputable scuba diving agencies such as SSI, PADI, and NAUI offer junior scuba diving programs for children.

In Scubanauts, the teen scuba group I volunteer with, our minimum diving age is 12. However, some of our members started diving with their families at 10 and 11 years old.

Twelve years old seems to be the perfect minimum starting age for our group. At age 12 (or older) our Scubanauts have enough strength (able to carry their equipment), maturity, and interest in our scientific diving missions (such as working in an underwater coral nursery).

According to statistics from the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA), approximately 3% of all scuba divers worldwide are under the age of 18.

The age at which a child can safely start scuba diving depends on factors such as physical development, maturity, and individual readiness.

How Dangerous is scuba diving? This blog post emphasizes that scuba diving is safe and an incredibly thrilling experience.

Training, dive planning, and reputable dive operators ensure your dives are safe and unforgettable.

Any hesitation you may have about scuba diving is completely normal. Remember, scuba diving ranks among the safest sporting activities.

How safe is scuba diving? Scuba tourism would not be growing by 10% every year if it was a dangerous activity.

Scuba diving with safety and confidence, acquired through credible certification agencies and personal preparation is the opportunity for an unforgettable underwater adventure! 🌊🤿