How to Lead a SCUBA Dive

Dive professionals undergo trained to safely lead scuba divers in exploring a dive site. Dive master training involves learning to prepare for dive-related emergencies and how to monitor divers underwater, on the surface and topside. Leading a scuba dive provides a way to express your knowledge about the area and love for the sport and environment. Site preparation and communication techniques enhance the comfort level of the group and ensure that everyone has a good time on the excursion As a dive leader, follow other precautions to reduce liability for leading certified divers.

Things You'll Need

• Safety sausage
• Dive lights
• Whistle
• Liability release forms
• Pens
• Optional: map, first-aid kit, dive kit

Instructions

Safety Preparation

1. Assess safety and emergency services in the area, and write down how to contact emergency services (e.g., dial 911 on a cell phone or radio for help).

2. Check safety equipment including safety sausage, dive light(s) (primary and backup) and whistle.

3. Prepare diver liability release forms for the group, and have them sign the forms.

4. Review a map of the dive site, if needed for dive planning and familiarization. Check conditions for the day of the excursions (i.e., water temperature, waves, weather and marine safety alerts).

5. Securely install a dive float or buoy with descent line at the descent location, if shore (beach) diving. Note the depth of the anchor and compass reading to shore.

6. Check certification cards at the start of the excursion as divers complete and sign the liability release forms. Note any junior divers (usually between 10 and 15 years old) for dive limitation and adjust your plans accordingly if needed.

Orientation

1. Present an orientation of the dive site to divers, including a brief overview of the location, restroom and shower facilities, local interesting marine life and rinse buckets for equipment. If shore diving, identify convenient eateries and dive shops.

2. Establish a rapport to determine each diver's length and scope of experience and range of skill. This will provide insight regarding the diver's experience level and interests (e.g., newly certified divers may have a lot of questions, divers with 50 dives and 5 years' experience may be vacation or intermittent divers, and underwater photographs may enjoy taking macro shots).

3. Outline safe dive practices and the dive plan, which includes what to do if the parties become separated, safety equipment you will carry, planned depth and dive time, gauge readings for the halfway point and conclusion of the dive, plans for descent and safety stop (ascent), and buddy/dive partners.

4. Review the underwater hand signals you will use, including "stop," "problem," "OK," various marine life (e.g., the sign for a turtle or guitarfish), "safety stop," "air/gauge check" and "turn around."

5. Review the dive plan with the boat captain and crew, if applicable, so they know where to watch in case the group comes up early.

Start of the Dive

1. Familiarize yourself with the color configurations of each diver (e.g., blue fins and yellow mask strap, camera) and identify the buddy pairs.

2. Verbally check that each diver has proper weights installed and whether anyone has a question (if a new diver needs you to carry extra weight, for example).

3. Check that each diver's air tank is turned on and remind them of the plan when they enter the water (swim to the mooring line and wait for all to descend together, for example, or wait past the surf zone of the beach so that we all surface swim to the dive float).

4. Check that your gear is complete and functioning before entering the water.

The Dive

1. Upon descending, check that the group remains together. When the group has reached the desired depth, check whether everyone is OK (and they know it's you).

2. Swim very slowly to give time for the group to get into dive position, and point out any areas of interest. Regularly check that the group remains together.

3. Ask each person to tell you or to show you her air gauge reading periodically so you have an idea of her air consumption and can estimate the length and distance of the dive.

4. Turn around to go back when a diver has reached your designated midpoint for air gauge reading, or when your designated time to turn around arrives.

5. Wait for everyone to come together to begin the ascent, and monitor the group's safety stop. If necessary, help the divers remove fins and/or board the boat or exit the water.

Tips & Warnings

• Swim slowly upside down so you can see the group following you.

• Shine your dive light so you're always visible, and flicker the beam to catch a diver's attention or to point out an item of interest.

• Monitor the group's air consumption and make it a rule to return when a diver's air becomes low to avoid out-of-air emergencies.

• For liability and safety, take roll call before and after each dive.

References

• University of Hawaii: Dive Conservatory Dive Leader Protocols