What’s the Purpose of an Emergency Briefing?
The goal isn’t to rehearse every possible scenario, it’s to make sure your team knows:
- What to do if something goes wrong
- Who will take charge of key tasks
- Where emergency gear is located
- How to communicate distress or abort signals
- What happens next if the dive gets called
This reduces hesitation and confusion when stress levels spike.
When to Do It
An emergency briefing is best done right after the dive plan but before anyone puts on gear. On a boat, that’s usually right after the captain or divemaster finishes their site overview. On land, it might happen right before kitting up.
Even if you’re diving with friends, it’s worth asking: “What’s our plan if something goes wrong?”
Core Topics to Cover (Even for Simple Dives)
Here’s what should be covered in most recreational team briefings:
- Who’s the point of contact for EMS or DAN?
- Where is the emergency gear stored?
- What are our abort conditions? (lost diver, out-of-air, low visibility)
- How are we signaling distress? (light, hand, touch, ascent)
If you’re diving with a charter or shop, you might only need to ask a few of these. On a self-organized or remote dive, they’re essential.
Tip: Don’t Lecture—Check Understanding
This isn’t a monologue. Even if you’re the most experienced diver, it’s better to ask:
- “Who's deploying the dSMB for the group?”
- “Are we comfortable turning the dive if anyone feels off?”
- “What’s our plan if someone gets separated?”
A good briefing is about building shared awareness not just reciting a checklist.