Basic Scuba Safety Rules

Scuba diving is an incredible way to explore the underwater world, but it comes with risks. Following these core safety principles ensures that you stay safe while enjoying your dives. These are not just rules—they're habits that make diving safer and more enjoyable.

1. Always Dive with a Buddy

Do not misunderstand the concept of being self-sufficient with diving alone. Every diver needs to be self-sufficient or capable of diving alone. That does not mean they should. You can get a Solo Diver specialty and you will meet many individuals who dive solo...true solo. I refuse to do so. As a new diver I would not recommend it. As an experienced diver I would not recommend it.

The reasons for this is that your buddy is there to help you. Not just with equipment failures, but with making decisions and being the double check we all need.

2. Always Perform a Pre-Dive Checklist

Would you board a plane if the pilots skipped their safety checklist? Probably not. The same applies to diving. Using a structured pre-dive checklist ensures that you and your gear are ready for the dive. Learn why checklists matter in diving.

3. Do a Bubble Check Before Descending

See our full guide on how to properly perform a bubble check.

Before heading down, take a moment to check for escaping bubbles from your tank, hoses, or connections. A small leak might not seem like a big deal, but it can worsen at depth. A quick surface or descent bubble check ensures everything is sealed properly.

4. Plan Your Dive, Dive Your Plan

Dive planning is more than just “Let's go down and see what happens.” A structured approach, like GUE EDGE, helps ensure everyone knows the plan, including depth, time, gas, and contingencies. If you're more familiar with BWARF or other Open Water-style checks, the key takeaway is: have a plan, communicate it, and follow it.

5. Use Proper Weighting and a Balanced Rig

Carrying extra weight makes buoyancy harder to control, increases gas consumption, and makes emergency situations worse. A properly balanced rig ensures you can hover effortlessly and ascend safely. Learn how to set up a balanced rig.

6. Secure Loose Equipment

Dangling gauges, hoses, or accessories increase drag, waste energy, and can get caught on wrecks, coral, or even other divers. Clip off or stow all loose gear to stay streamlined and in control.

7. Monitor Your Gas Supply Regularly

Running out of air should never happen. Instead of relying on arbitrary PSI reserves, follow structured gas planning principles. Know how much gas you need, track your usage, and turn your dive with plenty to spare. Read our gas planning guide.

8. Ascend Slowly

A fast ascent increases the risk of decompression sickness (DCS). Always ascend at a controlled rate that is no more than 30ft per minute, or even better 10ft per minute. If you don't know what that looks like; an easy way to remember is do not surface faster than your bubbles.

Most recreational divers will perform a safety stop at 15 feet for 3–5 minutes to let excess nitrogen off-gas before surfacing.

9. Maintain Psychological Safety in Decision-Making

Read more in our full guide on Creating Psychological Safety.

Divers should feel comfortable speaking up if something feels off. Anyone can call a dive at any time, for any reason, without pressure. An uncomfortable diver is an unsafe diver.

10. Understand Human Factors in Diving

Read more in our full guide on Human Factors in Diving.

Diving incidents rarely happen because of one single mistake. They result from a combination of decision-making, situational awareness, task overload, and communication gaps. Learning about human factors improves safety by preventing small problems from snowballing into bigger ones.

11. Get Proper Training for Advanced Diving

If you're considering deeper dives, overhead environments, or mixed gas diving, get formal training from a reputable technical based diving agency. Proper training prepares you for challenges beyond recreational limits.