"We take a risk every time we dive"

There are many different reasons that entice people to want to go diving, although the danger factor is rarely one of them. Of course in some types of diving: cave diving, wreck diving or tec diving the adrenaline buzz created by the additional element of danger is what some people thrive off but this is not the case for most recreational divers. 

Personally, when I dive safety is always paramount. It is true, scuba diving can be dangerous and divers do take a risk every time they go under. From potential DCI, lung over expansion injury, drowning, running out of air, entrapment, entanglement, injury from marine life or panic; to the risk of being run over a boat or being put a risk by a panicking diver, the list of potential life threatening consequences of diving goes on and on.

However the purpose of this post is not to sensationalise diving nor to create anxiety about it, rather just to emphasise the importance of practicing dive safety when diving. For example taking an SMB with you may seem like a hassle or not mandatory, but when you are surfacing in open water it is the best way to make boat traffic aware of your position and ensure your safety. 

Equally; safety stops may also be dismissed as unnecessary if you have stayed within limits, however they are called SAFETY stops precisely for that reason; to ensure your safety regardless of your dive profile. Surely it is better to stay at 5m an extra 3 minutes (should air allow) than to surface immediately and risk possible DCI?  

However, one of the most important safety methods a diver can employ is the one before they even get in the water: a pre dive safety check or buddy check. The best way to do this is by using the acronym: BWRAF 

B - BCD 
Check function of BCD. Operate inflator and deflator to ensure that BCD can accept and release air. Test oral inflator. Operate all dumps to check that air can be dumped quickly. Ensure straps (shoulder straps, cummerbund) have no slack, and are lying flat.



W - Weights 
If a weight belt is worn, check that the belt is secure, and the strap arranged so that it can be released with the right hand of the diver. Ensure that weights on the belt are not likely to shift during movement, and are suitable for the diver. If a weight harness is worn, or the BCD possesses an integrated-weights system, test system for adequate operation. A secondary aim is to ensure that the buddy is familiar with the weight system of the diver being checked, and is able to operate them in an emergency



R - Releases 
Locate and check that all of your buddy's releases are properly secured and you know how to undo them in an emergency. This includes their Velcro waist band and at least two shoulder clips. Many BCDs also have a chest and stomach clip. It's a good idea to touch each clip as you check it and even count each one out loud as you do so. Remember to check the tank strap and clip. You can do this by placing one hand on the bottom of the tank and the other on the first stage regulator and trying to move the tank up and down to see if the strap moves.



A - Air 
Open air valve on tank. Most divers then close the tank a quarter turn for an added element of safety. Breathe the air through the regulators to ensure that it is fresh and dry: impure air is extremely dangerous underwater, but can usually be recognized through an unpleasant, often oily, taste or smell. Test operation of primary and secondary regulators. Both should breathe comfortably, and not 'free-flow' when purged. Make sure you check SPG when test breathing through regulators when breathing the air pressure gauge should not drop. Check hoses for damage. Ensure that the secondary regulator (the 'octopus') is attached in the triangle between the chin and the base of the ribs, and can be released easily: this ensures easy access for a buddy in the event of an emergency.



F - Final Check 
Conduct a final check of the diver. Ensure that hoses are clipped to the diver neatly, and are in the correct configuration. Make sure the diver has fins and a mask, and any other accessories (cameras, reels, knife, compass, torch etc.) needed for the dive. Check that these are secured to the diver, or else placed in a spot where they can be handed down once the diver is in the water. Correct anything else that needs doing.

However, any job, sport or hobby can be dangerous as long as you stay well within the limits, are vigilant and practice safe diving you greatly minimise the risk of ever having a problem in the water.