How to Deal With Boat Traffic Safely When Scuba Diving

Although there are many ways to protect yourself when diving in trafficked waters, the best move is to dive somewhere else.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chemical Glow Lights
• Dive Flag Buoys
• Boating Strobe Lights
• Buoyancy Compensators
• Whistles
• Flashlights
• Flashlights

Preparation

1. Research the dive site thoroughly. Boat traffic is a major hazard and should figure prominently in your selection of a dive site. Avoid high-traffic areas such as channels, harbor entrances and crowded beachfronts.

2. Plan your entry method. Shore or beach entry locations usually have more traffic.

3. Attach a highly visible dive flag to a buoy or gear raft. This is essential. Be sure your flag is securely anchored so that it doesn't drift away from your diving area.

4. Take extreme care when diving at night. You are effectively invisible to all boat operators.

5. Avoid areas with any boat traffic at all whenever possible.

Signaling Methods

6. Display a sport divers flag (bright red with a white diagonal stripe) whenever - and only when - divers are in the water.

7. Carry a whistle when diving. The sound can be heard at a great distance, and you won't wear yourself out yelling.

8. Attach a waterproof strobe light to your dive buoy if you're out at night. Carry a chemical glow light as well as a flashlight in case of flashlight failure.

Surfacing

9. Alert your dive buddy so that you can ascend together.

10. Follow your dive table for decompression stops and times.

11. Inflate your buoyancy compensator for a slight positive buoyancy. Never ascend at a rate of more than 60 feet per minute. This is the same rate at which small bubbles will ascend.

12. Hold one hand above you and look toward the surface. Use your other hand to release air from your buoyancy compensator and maintain a constant rate of ascent.

13. Breathe normally from your regulator during the ascent. Never hold your breath while ascending.

14. Inflate your buoyancy compensator completely when you reach the surface.

15. Turn completely around slowly and examine the horizon for boat traffic. Do this every 50 yards or so if you have to swim any distance on the surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Always check the time before an ascent so that you can correctly calculate your bottom time for repetitive dives.
• Sound is the best way to detect motorized boat traffic underwater, but it can be deceiving. Since sound travels four times faster in water than in air, both of your ears will hear a noise at essentially the same moment. This means it is almost impossible to judge the direction a sound is coming from. Water also distorts your ability to judge the distance of a noise source.
• Boat traffic is only one of the hazards of surfacing. At the end of a dive you will be tired and will have the least amount of air remaining in your tank. Too rapid an ascent can result in air embolism, an extremely dangerous medical situation.
• Inexperienced divers should always dive with an experienced buddy.
• Scuba diving is a great sport, but it can be very hazardous to an inexperienced or careless diver. Never dive alone. Beginning divers should always get training from a licensed instructor.

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