Chapter 2- Continual Improvement
Continual Improvement
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FIGURE 2-3. Any dive site can change radically from day to day and sometimes from hour to hour.
them if the conditions are at all questionable. The call
can save you a lot of frustration if they have canceled the
trip.
Make certain that you and your dive buddy are
physically and mentally prepared for the dive. If either
of you is not feeling well, consider not diving. There is
always another day to dive. Know how you would contact
emergency services in the event of an accident.
Planning for the Dive
When you arrive at the destination, there are still
many tasks to perform before you actually dive.
Evaluate the conditions when you arrive at the dive
site. Ask yourself whether it is safe and prudent to dive.
If you have any doubts, seek an alternate site–one that
is out of the wind, has negligible current, offers easy
entry and exit, has low waves and surf, or whatever will
improve the conditions that make you hesitant about
diving at your first selected site. If you cannot find
acceptable conditions, do not dive. Now that you can see
the dive site, ask yourself whether the dive is within the
skill level of yourself and your buddy. If the dive requires
greater strength or stamina than either of you possess,
or if either of you is apprehensive about the dive, find an
alternate location or cancel the dive.
If you are diving from the shore, choose a good vantage
point from which you can observe entries and exits
as well as water conditions. Determine the size and duration
of wave sets. Look for currents. You can watch for
drift of swimmers or floating objects to determine longshore
currents. Rip currents often show as foam, areas
of dirty water, or disturbances in wave patterns. Choose
your entry and exit points. Have at least one additional
exit site in case some situation, such as a change in wind,
current, or tide height eliminates your first choice.
If you are on a chartered dive boat, the captain will
make the decisions about the dive location based on your
safety and his or her knowledge of the dive location and
the conditions. You will be briefed about what to expect
– the depth, the terrain, any current or hazards and what
you can expect to see. Remember, the decision to dive is
still your responsibility. The captain can make you aware
of many factors, but you must be the judge of your own
abilities and your preparedness. As with shore diving,
take note of currents, visibility, waves, swell, and chop,
and plan your dive accordingly.
If you are diving from an anchored boat, you will
normally descend on the anchor line. Pause with your
buddy at the bottom of the anchor line to organize