Wristwatch
A pressureproof, nonmagnetic wristwatch is essential for scuba use in computing time of dive, controlling rate of ascent and descent, and timing your underwater operations. However, most of the watches advertised as waterproof will not hold up under scuba-diving conditions; obtain one specially made for underwater use.
Wrist compass
A pressureproof magnetic wrist compass is necessary for underwater navigation. Although the compass can only give general directions, because of its inherent inaccuracies, it is a big help, especially under conditions of poor visibility. You may be able to find a naval-type wrist compass at an Army-Navy surplus store.
Flashlight
A flashlight can be useful in dark or murky water, although its effectiveness falls off as the amount of suspended
Safety-and in many areas local ordinances-require display of the diagonal-striped diver’s flag where scuba or skin divers are underwater.
sediment increases. While there are a number of underwater flashlights on the market, they should be used with some caution because of the inherent danger of hydrogen explosions that may result due to chemical action within the flashlight.
Life lines
The buddy line is a line 6 to 10 feet long. At night, or in poor visibility, each of the buddies secures one end of the line to himself. The float, line is a line long enough to reach from the desired depth to the surface. The diver should secure one end around his body-not his equipment- and have someone secure the other end to a float. As mentioned before, the float line may be marked with knots to indicate decompression stops. When diving from a boat use a surface line. This is a line long enough to reach from the boat to the point of operation. You should secure one end to your body, not to your equipment.
Noseclip
Some scuba divers find that a noseclip is helpful for equalizing pressure in the ears and sinuses. A properly adjusted noseclip is comfortable and does not interfere with pressurizing the separate face mask or with expelling water. It can be valuable for keeping the nose dry if the face mask is flooded or lost. However, you should be able to remove and replace the face mask under water without a noseclip, and a great many scuba divers do not use a noseclip at all.
Earplugs and goggles
The caution about earplugs is: never use them! They prevent pressure equalization of the outer ear and cause outer-ear squeeze. It is also possible that earplugs may drive through the eardrum and destroy the auditory bones in the middle ear. If you cannot expose your ears to pressure or water, do not dive!
Never use nonequalizing goggles. They prevent equalization of the eye sockets and cause eye squeeze.
Foot protection
If you will be using your scuba around coral, in shallow water, or on the beach, wear lightweight shoes (coral shoes if available) under the swim fins to protect your feet.
Handling Emergencies
Emergencies occasionally arise even though you have taken all sensible safety precautions. They may be caused by your failure to check some item in your equipment, or by some unforeseen or unavoidable development. You can almost always resolve the situation if you and your buddy stop to think. The real hazard in scuba emergencies is not what is happening, but acting on a blind impulse brought on by panic. Few situations in diving are so serious as to require instantaneous action. Remember your training. Do not panic. Above all, never abandon the breathing apparatus under water unless you cannot ascend without doing so.
Tags: water sports
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