1. Plan the Dive. Or Don't Dive at All.

Before entering the water, every diver should follow a strict pre-dive protocol. That includes:

• Confirming maximum depth and dive duration

• Agreeing on entry and exit points

• Reviewing hand signals and emergency procedures

• Designating a primary and backup buddy

Too many incidents begin with vague plans or overconfidence. Treat every dive with the respect it demands.

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2. Master Your Buoyancy

Controlled buoyancy isn’t just about comfort—it prevents injuries and preserves the marine environment.
When your buoyancy is neutral:

• You reduce air consumption

• You avoid accidental contact with corals or sea urchins

• You gain better control in currents or low visibility

This is a core skill. If yours isn’t consistent, make time to train and practice it.

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3. Never Hold Your Breath

This is fundamental, especially for scuba divers. As you ascend, the air in your lungs expands. Holding your breath can cause overexpansion injuries, including fatal lung barotrauma.
The rule is simple:
Breathe continuously and never hold your breath—especially while ascending.

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4. Trust in Equipment—But Check It First

Always conduct a thorough gear inspection before entering the water:

• Test your regulator’s airflow

• Ensure your BCD inflates and deflates properly

• Check for cracks, corrosion, or leaks

After diving, rinse everything with fresh water. Salt destroys seals faster than you think. Equipment failure is preventable—if you’re diligent.

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5. Don’t Touch Anything. Ever.

Respect the ocean. Touching coral can kill it. Touching marine animals can injure both you and them.
Hands should stay close to your body unless used for signaling or managing equipment. Avoid grabbing rocks, ledges, or the reef for stability. If you must, only contact sandy or barren surfaces with your knees or fins.

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6. Maintain Visual Contact with Your Buddy

If your dive buddy is more than a few seconds away, you are diving alone. That’s not acceptable.

• Practice emergency air-sharing drills regularly

• Stay within three kicks of each other at all times

• Agree on a maximum separation distance—then stick to it

In emergencies, seconds matter. Stay close. Stay accountable.

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7. Monitor Your Air—Religiously

Keep an eye on your pressure gauge every few minutes. Do not trust your memory or instincts.
Ascend with no less than 50 bar (750 psi)—preferably more. Running out of air is one of the most common causes of panic underwater, and it’s entirely avoidable.

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8. Ascend Slowly and Always Make a Safety Stop

Decompression sickness ("the bends") doesn’t care how experienced you are. Ascend at no more than 9 meters (30 feet) per minute, and always perform a safety stop for at least 3 minutes at 5 meters.
Even when your computer says it's not required, stop anyway. It’s good practice—and often lifesaving.

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9. Stay Hydrated Before and After Diving

Dehydration thickens your blood and increases the risk of nitrogen absorption. That raises your chance of decompression sickness by as much as 40%.
Drink plenty of water before diving. Avoid coffee and alcohol for at least 12 hours beforehand. Hydration is safety.

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10. Train Continuously—Stay Humble

Advanced certifications aren’t badges of ego—they’re tools for survival.

• Rescue Diver courses teach you how to manage real emergencies

• Night and Deep Diver specialties expand your competence in complex environments

Every dive is a chance to improve. The ocean doesn’t reward arrogance—it punishes it.

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Final Thoughts: The Ocean Has No Mercy for Complacency

Dive experience is valuable—but it doesn’t make you invincible. The divers who survive decades underwater are not the boldest. They’re the most disciplined.

“The best dive is the one you come back from safely. ”

Every one of these ten rules has prevented serious injury or death in real-world cases. Respect the ocean, follow your training, and never take shortcuts.