Safe Diving Practices F
| Fitness to dive |
| Flares |
| Flying and diving |
Fitness to dive
Diving uses as much energy as moderate to heavy work. Before resuming diving, after a lay off, you are advised to regain physical fitness, practice basic underwater skills in the pool or sheltered water training area and complete a series of 'work up' dives before diving to depth. Ensure all divers are both physically and psychologically fit for the dives they plan to undertake.
Flares
Orange smoke and red handheld / parachute flares should be carried by all dive boats in order to attract attention when in difficulties at sea. Similar flares, in waterproof containers, are available for divers to carry in the event of them becoming lost at sea. Orange / red flares should not be used for signalling purposes in a non-emergency situation. Gun type flare launchers require a firearms certificate for use within the UK.
Divers are cautioned against taking such devices abroad, particularly when flying.
Flying and diving
Flying or travelling to altitude after diving can give rise to decompression illness. Flying or travelling to altitude before diving, may increase the risk of decompression illness on a subsequent dive. It is therefore recommended that divers use the BSAC 88 decompression tables (Levels 1-4) or other appropriate dive planning tool to determine whether the proposed dive / journey combination is acceptable.
(See BSAC 88 decompression tables / Altitude)
Page last modified: 18th Dec 2006 - 11:26:15