NAUI Scuba Diver
24 Continual Improvement
minimize or eliminate the problem.
Before the dive, you have the option of not diving.
You can also talk about the dive, try to determine the
reason for the stress and change the dive plan. Sometimes
rehearsing the dive in greater detail will open possible
solutions to the perceived stress. People are more likely to
panic when they run out of options (figure 2-10).
During the dive, it is especially important to act
promptly, but not hastily, to face the problem and find
a solution. Stop, breathe, think, then act is what you
learned in your entry-level class. Apply it now. Stop your
activity and breathe deeply. If you see signs of stress in
your buddy, get them to do the same. When you get your
breathing under control, go to the next step, think about
the problem and solve it. Try to get control of yourself
underwater; don’t head immediately to the surface.
Underwater you have plenty of air. At the surface, you
will be subjecting yourself to additional problems of
flotation, waves, breathing, etc. If you can solve the problem,
you may decide to continue the dive. If the problem
persists, such as you are cold or you simply can’t feel
comfortable, it is time to end the dive. If you and your
buddy have things under control, you can end the dive
safely. If you react hastily, you may only cause further
complications.
Most of your diving will be enjoyable and not stressful,
especially if responsibly planned. Still, it is possible
to venture deeper than you feel comfortable or to get into
a task-loading situation, and realize it only after you are
there. As a responsible and safe diver you should dive
aware, be watchful for stress and take steps to control it.
If the stress is a result of your being inadequate to the
demands of the dive, then return to dives that are within
your ability and comfort level. Seek out additional training
to prepare you for more complex and demanding
dives.
PREPAREDNESS AND TRAINING
Any activity requires preparation. Engaging in a new
activity may mean that instruction or training is advisable.
This is especially the case in scuba diving. It may be
possible to learn some advanced diving skills by reading
and private practice or by trial-and-error, but this is not
the safe way to proceed. While it is true that experience
is a good teacher, it frequently gives you the test before
the lesson. One of the reasons you are in this course is
because it offers opportunity to advance your skills under
supervision. As a responsible diver, you should take the
time to prepare yourself for safety.
When you acquire new diving skills or techniques,
build on your new abilities carefully. In diving, we speak
of staying within one’s “comfort envelope.” If you find
you are outside of your comfort envelope, you are probably
well outside your skill level also. Stop your activity
and take stock. Decide what you should do to restore your
sense of assurance. Ascend to a shallower depth? Stop the
particular activity until a later dive? End the dive?
Do not dive beyond your fitness level. Being responsible
for your own safety also means that you must assess
your own physical ability to conduct any dive. What is the
distance to the dive site? Will it require a long surface or
underwater swim? Is there a current? If so, will you be
able to drift dive with the current, or will you be required
to move against the current? Are you recovering from
a recent illness or injury that will affect your stamina?
Know your own capabilities and limitations, and avoid
environments that could place excessive demands on you.
The activities of your Advanced Scuba Diver course
will introduce you to many tools that you will use in your
future diving career. You may decide to explore some in
greater depth with specialty course training. Whatever the
activity for your dive, remember that good preparation
and planning are necessary elements in diving safety.