Diving procedures are a series of steps that divers follow to make sure they are safe while they explore underwater. Think of diving like going on an adventure to a whole new world that’s full of cool creatures and sights, but it can also be dangerous if not done correctly. That’s why divers follow specific rules to keep themselves safe.
Before a dive, divers check all their gear to make sure it’s working properly. They put on a wetsuit, which helps keep them warm in the cold water. They also wear fins on their feet to help them move more easily through the water.
Then, they make a plan for their dive, which includes how deep they’ll go, how long they’ll stay down there, and who they’ll dive with. They also discuss hand signals and safety procedures with their dive buddy or group.
Once everything is ready and they’re in the water, divers slowly descend into the depths of the ocean, one step at a time. They equalize their ears as they go, which means they adjust the pressure by popping their ears to avoid discomfort or potentially serious injury.
During the dive, they use hand signals to communicate with each other and point out things they see, like cool fish or underwater caves. They also make sure to check their air supply often to make sure they have enough to breathe.
When it’s time to come back up, they slowly ascend to the surface in stages while blowing air out of their lungs to prevent decompression sickness, which is a harm caused by a rapid change in pressure.
Once they’ve safely made it back to the surface, divers often do a safety stop for three to five minutes at around 5 meters (15 feet) to release any excess nitrogen that might have built up in their body.
And that’s the basics of diving procedures, the steps divers follow to stay safe and explore the amazing world underwater.