The inventors of dive gear gave humanity an incredible gift- the ability to explore our magnificent underwater world. Our planet’s oceans, lakes, and other bodies of water are amazing places to explore; often, we experience strong cravings that draw us to water the same way a magnet attracts metal. Though diving in general is a safe activity for people who are properly trained and equipped, there are some circumstances under which it becomes unsafe – or even downright deadly. Here, in no particular order, we provide five universal reasons you should call off a planned dive.
Malfunctioning Equipment
Long story short, your dive equipment is what allows you to dive safely. In essence, it is life support equipment. Without properly functioning equipment, safe diving is impossible. While it’s obvious that you cannot dive without your tanks, hoses, and regulators, it is vital that your compass, your dive computer, and all gear you use during the course of a dive are in functioning condition. Luckily, this is one thing that is pretty well within your power to control. Checking all of your equipment well in advance of a planned dive allows you to repair or replace items that are not functioning correctly. This doesn’t negate the need for your dive buddy or DM to check your equipment, and it doesn’t eliminate the need for testing. If you find that any piece of your equipment is not functioning properly, get a replacement or call off the dive.
You are Ill
If you are ill, particularly if you have a respiratory illness or trouble with your sinuses, do your dive buddy and the rest of the party you’re diving with a favor and call the dive. You know your body better than anyone, and you know what your limits are. By attempting to show bravado, you’re not doing anyone any favors. Calling a dive early if you’re unwell lets dive buddies make different plans instead of wishing you had let them know about your illness in advance.
Shark Activity (Unless That’s What You’re Looking For)
Many divers feel uncomfortable about diving with sharks, and that’s okay. If your sense of self-preservation includes an aversion to apex predators, do yourself and everyone else a favor, and don’t dive in water where shark activity has recently increased. At the same time, keep in mind that shark attacks on people are rare, and attacks on divers barely ever happen. Unless you like the idea of encountering sharks, pick a different dive site.
Severe Weather Conditions
While rough weather can cause seasickness and overall discomfort, it can also cause boating accidents and diving accidents. Unless conditions are suitable, stay out of the water. Pay close attention to weather forecasts, and dive another time if the weather is poor.
You are Uncomfortable for Any Reason
If you’re feeling fearful, if your “sixth sense” is causing you to feel weird about diving a certain site, or if your usual dive buddy isn’t available and you don’t trust the diver you’re assigned to spend your day with, call off your dive. There are many reasons we feel uncomfortable about diving, and no matter what anyone else says, if you don’t want to dive, don’t do it.
Most preventable dive accidents happen because people either don’t remember their training, or because they ignore what they’ve learned about safety and decide to dive anyway. Calling a dive feels disappointing. Sometimes you even suffer a financial setback when you lose a deposit. No matter how disappointed you feel, and no matter what other consequences calling off a dive causes, no consequence hurts as badly as injury or death.