Safety First: Know Your Equipment

BY AHMED NABIL – ALPHA DIVING

Don’t miss a dive due to minor issues with your scuba diving equipment. Whether it’s a missing O-ring, wetsuit tear or a broken fin strap. Make sure you keep up to date with your BCD and regulator services.

The safety process starts from the moment you buy or rent dive gear. Selecting the right equipment from the start is key; make sure it fits well and meets your needs and know its specifications. Dive within your training and equipment limits. Finally, make sure you properly clean and store your equipment after each use to ensure your investment stays in good condition.

As a diver, you have to familiarise yourself with all these things.

Understanding the theory, principles and operation of your diving equipment can be easy and fun. Remember that maintenance, or “the process of keeping something in good condition”isn’t just needed to keep the warranty valid, but to prolong the life of your scuba gear, and keep you alive! Repairs and servicing should always be done by certified experts.

HOW DO YOU START?

Whichever diving organisation you follow, there will be a section in your level one diver training which covers equipment. Please read and practice that section carefully. Still feel that you need more hands-on training? Thirsty for more? Preparing yourself to become a rescue diver, or divemaster? You can proceed to the next level of learning with an equipment speciality course.

The course covers recommended care and routine maintenance procedures, correct equipment storage methods, common problems you may encounter with your equipment, and recommended professional maintenance procedures. Above all, it will help secure your safety, along with the ability to make better purchasing decisions when considering new equipment.

Please contact your local dive shop, instructor or email your diving organisation directly. You will get yourself educated, trained and most importantly, enjoy safer and fun diving. There is no better investment than investing in training for yourself.