CH – 6 Dive Planning and Recording Yusheng M. Huang Department of Marine Sports and Recreation

Learning Goals Learn about the steps to long range and short range planning Be introduced to the steps to follow to safely conduct your dive Learn why it is important to plan your dive and dive your plan Be introduced to the importance of recording each dive you do

To further reduce the risks in diving, it is essential that you plan and prepare your dives in advance. Planning is divided into sections: 1.Long range planning 2.Short range planning 3.Preparing to dive 4.Conducting your dive 5.Post-dive review Planning ensures that: -Well functional equipments -What to expect at the dive site -Avoid any last minute rush -Make reservations if needed

Long-range Planning A long-range planning begins many months ahead of a major dive trip Step 1. The objective of your dive? Step 2. select your location -primary and alternate -background information about the location; from books, dive resorts, stores, clubs, instructors, and divemasters. -Visit the dive site in advance -Emergency services in the area -Transportation

Step 3. to determine the date and time of your dive or dive trip -Avoid schedule conflicts -No alcohol within hrs. of a planned dive -Consider about the tide, wind, and local weather condition Step 4. Make travel arrangements -Make airline, hotel, and boat reservations Step 5. to determine your equipment needs. -Water temp. influences dive suits you need -Weight and buoyancy -Conditions of your BC and regulators Step 6. Refresh your dive skills if necessary *** Establish a to-do list is helpful!!!

Short-range Planning Short-range planning starts about a week before your dive -Check all of your dive gears -Buy things you need in advance (sunscreen, seasickness medication, sea drops, spare parts for dive gears etc…) 1 or 2 days before, check the weather trends, water conditions, tides, and the long-range weather forecast. ALWAYS be sure to leave a copy of your plans with someone. -Destination and dive sites -Contact telephone number -The date and time you expect to arrive back home.

Preparing To Dive The day or evening before your scheduled dive -Pack your gear in two bags: dive gear and personal items 1.Pack your dive gear in reverse order of its use 2.Dont pack weight belt with your dive gear -Personal items: towel, extra dry clothing,…. Get a good nights rest and no alcohol at least 12 hrs. before diving!!!

Conducting Your Dive When you and your buddy arrive at your selected site, you must agree on how you will conduct your dive before you enter the water. -Site survey -Emergency plan and information -Activity -Buoyancy -Air -Gear and go

Site Survey Before you even suit up, evaluate the conditions at the site to determine if they are acceptable for your planned activity. Once you decide you can dive, you must determine which buddy will be the leader of the team. Emergency Plant You must discuss contingency plans, emergency procedures, and accident management. -Agree on what to do if you runs out of air under water -What to do if you get separated under water -How to call for help if needed

Activity -Selecting only one activity as the purpose of any one planned dive -Communication under water -To decide entry and exit points and dive pattern -Setting limits for depth, time, and air supply based on your dive table and computer Buoyancy -Check your buoyancy Gear and go -Check your gears

Diving Your Plan You must carry out the plan you have made for your dive. You must not abandon the dive plan midway through the dive. Plan ahead when you dive. Remind one another of your depth and time limits, and follow your plan throughout the dive. When you are prepared for a dive, many benefits result and these benefits are worth the time you take to properly plan and prepare.

Contingency Planning Contingency planning is an important part of dive planning. For each step of your plan, you need to have a contingency plan. When you are planning the direction of your dive, be sure to consider an alternate route or alternate exit point to be used if conditions change while you are on your dive.

Recording Your Dive After each dive, you should record information from your dive in your logbook. What information should be included? -The number of your dive -The date -The water visibility -Your starting air pressure -Your ending air pressure -Your maximum depth -Location of your dive -The name(s) of your buddy -Remarks about the dive