How to Plan a Dive

Make scuba diving safe by planning your dive ahead of time. Good preparation will keep dumb little mistakes from ruining a great time under the water. Planning a dive doesn't have to be a chore or even very complicated. It is actually planning for fun.

Instructions

    • 1

      Select a buddy. Never dive alone.

    • 2

      Once you've contacted your partner, decide on what your diving objective is. Are you catching lobsters, spear fishing or taking underwater pictures? With an objective in mind, you and your buddy will work together as a team, dividing each task.

    • 3

      Choose a dive site that is good for your objective. Plan for an alternative dive site in case conditions aren't suitable the day of your dive. Decide on the best time to go and how to get there.

    • 4

      Inspect all your equipment. Make sure the tank is filled. Use a checklist to go through the equipment to see if anything is missing or needs to be repaired before you go. Every piece of equipment in diving is important. If you wait to check it at the dive site there is a possibility one little piece of broken equipment could make you cancel the dive.

    • 5

      Just before you leave, get a current weather report. Gather items such as your certification card and log book, sunglasses, wallet, lunch and ice chest. Pack the equipment bag so that the first thing going in is the last thing you'll need coming out.

    • 6

      File a dive plan with someone who isn't going with you. Tell him where you're going, when you expect to be back and what you will do if you're delayed or you go to the second dive site.

    • 7

      At the site, check the weather again, decide where to enter and exit, review hand signals with your buddy, and review what to do if you become separated. Agree on time, depth and air supply limits. In other words, right before you enter the water is the time to discuss every thing possible while you can still speak. Enter the water and have fun.