With the easing of restrictions allowing us unlimited exercise and to be able to meet a member of another household to exercise with it's natural we're all racing to get back into the water again with our dive buddies. To aid local divers and those from further afield we're opening for air fills and servicing to enable you to do what you love in the safest manor.
And to help further we've compiled a few documents from various organisations to ensure that we continue to make UK diving as safe a hobby as it is.
Safe Return to Diving guidance
Dive equipment disinfection
PADI's 8 steps to risk reduction
It is also important to understand that although restrictions will continue to be lifted, our introduction back into diving should be a sensible one that focuses on diving's core skills and our understanding of them.
- We are at the start of the diving season for the year and as such should build up our experience once again, starting with shallow shore dives that do not require decompression stops and avoiding diving in adverse conditions. Take into consideration your location and the weather.
- Thorough equipment checks and buddy checks, this will be difficult to do whilst maintaining social distancing but can be achieved. Having regs in if needed to be within 2m to aid donning of equipment. Hand signals will be of even greater use, time to come up with some new ones with your buddy!
- Plan your dive and dive your plan, just a few simple steps and we'll continue to enjoy diving all through the Summer
And finally, take into consideration those we hope never to have to see when out on a dive. The RNLI staff and volunteers on standby, ready should the unexpected happen. As lifeguards can't be everywhere this Summer, follow the available safety advice to keep yourself safe.
RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution - Saving Lives at Sea