Staying Alive while Scuba Diving

Goal or Problem

Scuba Diving is an exquisite deep sea sport and many people travel around the world to enjoy this sport. The following article explains some things you will need to know in order to stay alive while scuba diving in sea or ocean.

Idea

Scuba diving is basically swimming underwater (in sea or ocean) using SCUBA - Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Scuba diving is a rare and extreme sport. If this is your first time, here is what you will need to know in order to stay alive in sea:

Communication in the sea:

One of the first things you learn in scuba diving is that it is not like swimming where you can take your mouth out of water to talk. So unless you are using special equipment, the only way to communicate is through signals. Now no one can hear you so it's important that you have visual contact with the person you are trying to communicate with. That is the reason your guide always stays a step behind and a step above you so that he/she has continuous visual contact. Now the key signals are:

• Make an "O" shape from thumb and point finger and keep the other fingers straight: Means that you are OK. So a signal towards the mouth and then the OK signal means that you are comfortable with your mask and are breathing properly.
• Keeping your hand horizontal and vibrating it: Means that you are not doing OK. So a signal towards your heart and then a horizontal vibrating hand means that you are feeling anxious or worried.
• Thumbs up: Means that you want to go to the surface. So if you signal thumbs up to your guide, he would take you up to the surface.

For more signals, have a look at the references.

Breathing through your mouth:

One of the most important fact is that in sea, you are breathing through an oxygen tank which is connected to your mouth so you have to blow in and blow out through your mouth and in no case, should you ever breathe through your nose. If by mistake you do, you will start to suffocate and will need immediate assistance from your guide or partner. That is where the signals we learned above will be useful.

Managing water pressure under water in sea:

As you start to go slowly into the sea, you will not feel the weight of the tank on your back anymore. On the other hand, you will begin to feel extreme water pressure against your ears that might even cause severe pain. This will happen every time you go a little deeper. The key is to hold your nose with your hand and blow the air "out". This will cause the air to flow through your ears relieving the water pressure. Do this again till the pain in your ears is completely relieved. Make sure that by mistake, you do not breathe in through your nose or you will start to suffocate.

Tackling anxiousness in sea:

As you go slowly down in the sea, you will begin to feel anxious which can severely affect your performance and cause fatal mistakes. The solution is to time your breathing through the mouth slowly in and slowly out and within a few seconds, you will start feeling fine again.

Sea life:

The whole purpose of this extreme sport is to enjoy watching sea life and coral reef but various sea creatures/fish etc. can be dangerous and should be avoided. Various sharks do not attack humans but in case you see one, do not wait and try to find out.

Wish you happy and safe scuba diving.

Limitations and Side Effects

If you are beginner, always make sure that your guide is with you and never try scuba diving alone.

References

Underwater Hand Signals