Tips for Safe Diving

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mark Sobus
  • 36th Wing Safety Office
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  School's out. Time to grab your gear and hit the ocean and do some shore diving. You check off your dive gear as it gets thrown into your bag: mask, snorkel, fins, boots, gloves, BCD, reg, and let's not forget the camera. You head down to the beach and you notice that the waves are breaking on the reef. It's such a beautiful day and I don't understand why the ocean won't cooperate with the weather. So, you decide to brave it anyway and end up getting thrown around by the waves and current, making it impossible to put your fins on. Not feeling very comfortable with these conditions, you head back to the safety of the beach and decide to call it quits and work on your tan. Looks like a nice day gone bad. Things like this do happen to divers when they aren't properly prepared.

Being prepared for diving requires a little homework and responsibility on your part. Guam's waters offer a wide range of recreational opportunities. Scuba diving on Guam is some of the best in the Pacific. Along with this come certain precautions you must practice to avoid the inherent hazards. These simple rules will enable you to have a good time safely in the water.

- Know the tide conditions. The National Weather Service has a recorded message on surf, winds, and tide conditions. Dial 211 or 99-211 from any phone on or off base. Local TV, radio, and newspapers also publish this information. If the water conditions for your chosen location are not safe, pick another beach or better yet another day.
- Plan your dive and dive your plan. Know where you are going to go and know what you are going to do once you get in the water.
- Always have a buddy; never dive alone.
- Never exceed your training, capabilities, and common sense while diving.
- Wear gloves and above-ankle booties. The coral reef is sharp and can cut you without your knowing.
- Have fun, but use some situational awareness and employ the fundamentals of risk management before venturing out. Watch out for your children and your fellow Airman; know where to go to contact emergency help if needed.

Respect the water. Assess the conditions, know your capabilities and wear the proper protective equipment before entering the water to make your day at the beach an enjoyable fun-filled event. Diving can be a great experience if you are properly prepared. Know the tide conditions, plan your dive, always bring a dive buddy, stay within your training and capabilities, wear the proper protective equipment, and remember to have fun. See you under the water.