Common Mistakes Divers Make – According to DAN
March’s safety topic comes from Diver’s Alert Network (DAN). Although the publication dates back to 2017, its insights remain highly relevant. You can read the full document here: 7 Mistakes Divers Make & How to Avoid Them – Divers Alert Network.
One area where experienced divers, including members of the Sea Snoopers, could improve is pre-dive buddy checks. As new divers, we are taught that buddy checks are an essential and formal part of the donning process. However, as we gain experience, we may start to neglect them—perhaps out of overconfidence or an assumption that nothing will go wrong.
I follow a mental checklist, starting from my fins and working my way up. Yet, I’ve still made mistakes—forgetting to clip my chest strap, not fully seating my dry suit hose, and setting my tank band too high, which allowed my tank to slip out during a dive. Every one of these issues could have been caught with a proper buddy check. Personally, I would welcome a second pair of eyes on my gear and would never take offense at someone offering to perform a buddy check.
Many of us, myself included, tend to casually glance at fellow divers as they gear up and prepare to enter the water. However, this is not a substitute for a proper buddy check. While major issues are rare, I’ve personally caught and corrected problems such as unattached dry suit inflators, trapped regulator hoses, leaking O-rings, and loose tank straps.
Below, I’ve summarized DAN’s publication, but I highly recommend taking the time to read the full document. And if you’re not already a member, consider supporting DAN through an annual membership. If you have additional insights or personal experiences, feel free to share them in the comments box below!
- Neglecting Health and Fitness
- Before the dive season or any planned dive, take an honest assessment of your health. Any acute or chronic condition could increase the risk of a dive-related emergency.
- Use the months leading up to the dive season to improve your aerobic capacity, cardiovascular health, and overall physical strength. A well-conditioned body can handle the demands of diving more effectively, reducing fatigue and enhancing safety.
- Neglecting Proper Gear Maintenance
- We all know that dive gear is life-support equipment—so why risk your safety to save a few dollars? The cost of failing to service a regulator and experiencing a malfunction at depth far outweighs the expense of an annual inspection or service.
- How are you storing your gear during the off-season? Was it properly cleaned, inspected, and stored to ensure it’s in good condition for your next dive?
- Maintain a gear and maintenance log so you always know when each piece was purchased, last serviced, and due for inspection.
- Insufficient Dive Planning
- Proper planning starts at home. Take time to research the dive site, review maps, and talk to other divers who are familiar with the area. Understanding the conditions in advance can prevent surprises underwater.
- If you find yourself saying, “I’ll just follow you,” rethink your approach. While it’s okay to let a more experienced diver lead, there should still be discussions beforehand. The lead diver needs to understand your training level, experience, and comfort limits.
- Coordinate important details such as turn pressure, expected dive time, and common hand signals to ensure clear communication with your buddy.
- Lack of Buoyancy Control
- According to DAN, poor buoyancy control is one of the leading causes of dive-related injuries. Do you often find yourself sinking too quickly on descent or ascending too fast? Do you struggle to maintain neutral buoyancy and feel like you’re constantly fighting to stay in position? These are signs that your buoyancy skills need improvement.
- Consider taking a buoyancy control class or practicing in a controlled environment, such as a quarry or shallow dive site, with a buddy. Spending time on buoyancy drills can significantly improve your trim, air consumption, and overall dive experience.
- Diving Beyond Your Training
- There’s a fine line between pushing your limits and getting in over your head (pun intended). Attempting dives beyond your training and experience level can be life-threatening—not just for you, but also for your buddy and dive team.
- Seek additional training and dive with experienced divers who can help you develop the skills you need before attempting more advanced dives. Learning gradually in a controlled environment builds confidence and competence.
- Running Out of Gas
- While completely running out of gas at depth is rare, running low is much more common. If your cylinder has a smaller gas capacity or you have a high Surface Air Consumption (SAC) rate, you may find yourself consistently being the first to “thumbing” the dive. Over time, you might be tempted to push your limits, leaving inadequate gas for a safe ascent and proper safety stops—not to mention the potential need to share air with a buddy in an emergency.
- Be disciplined in your gas management. Follow the rule of thirds, refine your buoyancy and trim to improve air efficiency, and consider using a larger capacity cylinder or carrying a pony bottle for added safety.
- Not Taking Personal Responsibility
- Know your personal limits when it comes to training, physical ability, and experience. Pushing beyond what you’re comfortable with can put both you and your dive team at risk.
- Remember, every diver has the absolute right to call off a dive at any time for any reason—no explanations needed. Never let peer pressure or external expectations override your instincts and judgment.
Take a few minutes to read DAN’s publication at 7 Mistakes Divers Make & How to Avoid Them – Divers Alert Network. Remember, diving should always remain a safe and enjoyable activity. Proper planning, preparation, and education are the best safeguards against the unexpected, ensuring your diving experiences are memorable for all the right reasons.
See something missing from DAN’s list or do you have direct experiences to share, please comment in the box below.
