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LEARNING GOALS In this chapter you will: • Learn about the steps to long range and short range planning. • Be introduced to the steps to follow to safely conduct your dive. • Learn why it is important to plan your dive and dive your plan. • Be introduced to the importance of recording each dive you do. To further reduce the risks in diving, it is essential that you plan and prepare your dives in advance. Also, the best way for you to get the most enjoyment out of diving is to plan your dives. For our purposes, planning is all of the arrangements you make for a dive, from the time you decide to go diving until your planned dives are complete. Planning is divided into sections: • Long range planning. • Short range planning. • Preparing to dive. • Conducting your dive. • Post-dive review. You need to know the steps of planning so you can enjoy the best kind of dive. Planning ensures you have all the equipment you need in good working order, that you know what to expect at the dive site, and helps you avoid any last minute rush. In some cases, being able to go diving is possible only because you have made reservations in advance. When you, your equipment, and your buddy are well prepared for a dive, you will have the best possible chance of having a pleasurable experience, which is the goal of recreational diving. LONG-RANGE PLANNING Your long-range planning begins many months ahead of a major dive trip. For a day of diving at a local site, your long-range planning also begins well before your dive. If you wait until the night or even the week before a dive to start planning, it may be too late to pull everything together to have a successful dive. Your first step is to plan the objective of your dive. For example, you might want to practice your navigation skills or try out a new underwater camera. Your objective might also be to see a new area of the world and the diving it has to offer. Your second step is to select your location. Your location could be anywhere in the world, and take from a few minutes to a number of days to reach. You should also discuss an alternate location in case conditions are unacceptable at your primary location. Remember to investigate whether the location is a marine preserve, whether boat traffic or fishermen are present, and so on. If the dive site is unfamiliar to you, you must research it. Books are available that provide information on popular locations, but you should also find a contact person in the area to obtain local knowledge about the proposed site. Sources include dive resorts, dive stores, dive clubs,dive instructors and dive masters. The more you can learn in advance, the better prepared you will be. NAUI Scuba Diver 150 Dive Planning and Recording FIGURE 6-1. PRE DIVE OBSERVATIONS ARE AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF DIVE PLANNING.


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