The Code of the Responsible Diver
As a responsible diver, I understand and assume all the
risks I may encounter while diving. My diving duties
include:
- Diving within the limits of my ability and
training
- Evaluating the conditions before every dive and
making sure they fit my personal capabilities
- Being familiar with and checking my equipment before
and during every dive
- Knowing my buddy's ability level as well as my
own
- Accepting the responsibility for my own safety on
every dive
Training
As a Responsible Diver…
- I understand that my basic card is a learning permit
only. It does not qualify me to dive anywhere, at
anytime.
- I understand the importance of getting site-specific
training when planning to dive in an environment
different from my initial training.
- I understand the importance of continuing my diving
education in the form of supervised activities such as
night diving and deep diving specialities.
- I understand the need to get specific training in the
proper use and application of technical equipment such as
dry suits and computers.
- I understand the need to refresh my diving skills
under supervision if I haven't been diving recently.
- I understand the dangers of overhead environments
(caves and wrecks) and will seek specialized training
before doing such diving.
- I understand the need to keep my diving emergency
response skills sharp through supervised practice and
mental role playing.
- I understand the power of positive role modeling and
will assist those with less experience than myself.
- I understand that there are no limits to what I can
learn about diving. The more I know the safer I'll
be.
Health
As a Responsible Diver, I must be aware of many factors
before a dive. Health is one of the most important areas for
me to consider. A diver in poor health may be moments away
from NO health.
Before a dive consider:
- Fitness - Has it been awhile since I've been diving?
Am I in shape for the dive I'm planning?
- Illness - Am I suffering from a cold, hangover, flu,
or another health deficiency that may cause complications
during my dive?
- Medications - Am I taking ANY medications, including
over-the-counter drugs, without consulting a diving
physician first?
- Capabilities - Am I capable of performing the dive?
Do I have any disabilities that may cause complications
during the dive?
If you answered yes to any of these questions you need to
reconsider your ability to safely perform the dive. Getting
injured is no way to have fun.
Equipment
As a Responsible Diver…
- My equipment must be equal to the type of diving I
will be doing.
- My equipment must be properly maintained and in good
working order.
- I must have training in using my equipment and that
training must be current.
- I must practice with my equipment until all facets of
its use becomes second nature.
- I check that my equipment is operating properly
before each dive.
- My equipment is serviced annually according to
manufacturer's recommendations by a factory authorized
service technician.
- I understand that simply owning my equipment doesn't
give me the knowledge and ability to dive safely.
Environmentally Friendly Diving
Like the Hippocratic Oath taken by physicians, the
responsible diver's first duty is to do no harm; to enjoy
the ocean without diminishing it for those who follow and
especially for those who live there.
As a Responsible Diver…
- I have mastered buoyancy, fin control, and control of
my gauges and accessories so that my dive gear does not
bump or crush living organisms.
- I am careful about what I touch underwater.
- I do not break plants or coral or collect
"souvenirs."
- I do not feed or handle fish.
- I respect laws on size and limits for game.
- I collect and dispose of trash I find while
diving.
- I let dive buddies, resorts, and dive operators know
how I feel about environmental responsibility.
The resorts and operators I dive with:
- Use mooring buoys whenever available or anchor in
areas free of live bottom.
- Give thorough environmental briefings to divers
before they enter the water.
- Contain photo processing chemicals for proper
disposal.
- Dispose of trash responsibly.
- Uphold environmental regulations and game
limits.
The Dive
Now you are ready for the dive… or are you? Scuba
diving is an exciting sport, and like every sport, it
requires proper planning and preparation. Responsible divers
know that even on well-planned dives, the unexpected can
often occur.
Every dive is an adventure. Whether it be reef or wreck,
beach or boat, it is your responsibility to plan your dive
within the conditions of the dive site, within your
abilities and skill, and within those of your dive
partners.
Grab your gear bag and let's go diving…
Every diver, regardless of experience, uses a checklist
prior to the dive to make sure each piece of gear is
ready.
- Check your air. Test your gear.
- Ask about the dive. Check the depth. Check the water
conditions. Ask about the best entry and exit points, and
what you can expect.
- Are the dive conditions commensurate with your
abilities and skill level?
- Plan your dive. Check the dive tables (or your dive
computer) for allowed bottom time for the planned
depth.
- Review your dive plan with your dive partner. Discuss
with each other how you dive, what your skills are
and the location of your gear.
- Entering and exiting the water requires special care.
Watch for other divers and watch your gear. This is a
time when many divers lose unsecured gear.
- During the dive regularly check your air, depth,
bottom time, and your location.
- Plan a safety stop. Smart divers not only gauge their
air consumption to cover their descent and bottom time,
they also retain enough to cover their safety stop and
surface with enough to respond to an emergency, should
one arise.
Remember, how well you plan the dive will help reduce
some of the elements of risk and increase your enjoyment and
excitement on each dive. When you participate in any diving
activity you are under your own care, custody, and
control.
Your safety while diving is your responsibility.
Be a Responsible Diver,
Plan your dive… Dive your plan.
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