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Scuba Diving Safety

Scuba Diving Safety

With the right training, experience, equipment and conditions, scuba diving in Melbourne can be phenomenal. From deep-sea wrecks to wildlife, our marine environment rivals some of the best in the world — and we're here to help you enjoy your next diving adventure safely.

What is Scuba Diving?

Scuba diving is one of the most exciting activities you can do in and around the water. There's no better way to see the incredible diversity of wildlife and stunning seascapes that populate the seas around Australia, especially in Melbourne, than by diving below the surface. Scuba diving gets its name from the type of device you use when taking part in the activity. SCUBA is an acronym and stands for 'Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus'.

If you don't know what you're doing, or don't have the right diving equipment, then scuba diving can also be dangerous. But you shouldn't let that put you off. By taking part in the right accredited scuba diving training courses, having the right diving equipment, and making sure you have the fitness required to dive safely, then you can take part in scuba diving safely and enjoyably.

Your Body is Your Most Important Piece of Kit

Cardiac health can affect divers of any age, but research shows that those most at risk are experienced male divers aged 45 and over. A large number of diving fatalities are caused by a medical incident not related to diving, such as a heart attack.

That's why The Scuba Doctor encourages experienced divers to make their cardiac health a priority — and do the necessary checks to ensure they are fit to dive.

How to Check Your Diving Health

A medical emergency when you're mid-dive could be fatal — so follow this simple checklist to make sure you're fit and well:

Step 1
Carry out a realistic and honest self-assessment of your health before diving.

Step 2
Consider a visit to your healthcare professional for a health check.

Step 3
Any concerns? Go and see your nearest Diving Doctor and get a Diving Medical.

6 Safety Checks for Scuba Diving:

We really hope your next diving adventure is a great one — so before you head out, read our six simple checks for safe diving:
  1. Be fit to dive
    Prepare yourself by being fit to dive — cold water will put extra strain on your body. Always consider your cardiac health before diving and get any concerns checked out.
  2. Check your diving equipment
    At the start of the season make sure all your diving gear is in service and ready for another year of diving.
  3. Plan your dives
    Check the weather and tides. Find specific tide tables and sea conditions for your local area. For Melbourne and Victoria diving conditions, see Weather, Tides, Conditions etc..
  4. Always complete a buddy check
    No matter how experienced you are, or however many times you have dived with your buddy, don't skip the buddy check. It could save your life, and theirs.
  5. Be spotted
    All divers should carry a delayed surface marker buoy (DSMB) and reel/spool on every dive to aid their visibility to all surface craft.
  6. Carry a means of calling for help
    If something goes wrong, how will you call for help? Consider carrying a Nautilus Lifeline Marine Rescue GPS, or a personal locator beacon (PLB) or similar device in a waterproof canister.

See also, Must Have Tools for a Safe Dive.

More Scuba Diving Safety Resources

Dive Site Selection

The Scuba Doctor provides useful information about how to select a dive site near Melbourne given the conditions on the dive day. We also provide a list of Facebook Resources for Melbourne Dive Sites. More about: Dive Site Selection - Considerations for dive site selection near Melbourne

Wind Factors For Diving

explains the Effect of Wind Direction and Strength on Dive Sites. See Wind Factors For Diving.

Weather, Tides, Conditions etc.

Links to web sites where you can look up local diving conditions for Melbourne. More about: Weather, Tides, Conditions etc. - Links to Melbourne and Victoria diving conditions

AIS Marine Traffic Melbourne

View an interactive map of AIS Marine Traffic in Melbourne. See AIS Marine Traffic Melbourne.

Dive From Your Own Boat in Melbourne

Tips for using a Boat, Inflatable, Sea-Doo or Kayak for scuba diving in Melbourne from The Scuba Doctor. See Dive From Your Own Boat in Melbourne.

Boat Diving Safety

Tips for safe private boat diving in Melbourne from The Scuba Doctor. See Boat Diving Safety.

Boat Diver Safety Briefings

As a boat owner you need to give dive boat safety briefings. As a diver you need to listen to boat safety briefings. More about: Boat Diver Safety Briefings - Give and Listen To Dive Boat Safety Briefings.

Using a Dive Float and Flag

The Scuba Doctor explains Using a Dive Float and Flag to enhance your snorkelling and diving safety.

Seamanship

The Scuba Doctor explains safe boat handling and seamanship for Melbourne divers. See Seamanship.

Diving in Melbourne Currents

The Scuba Doctor explains what you need to know when Diving in Melbourne Currents.

Diving the Back Beaches

The Scuba Doctor explains what you need to know when Diving the Back Beaches of the Mornington Peninsula.

Diving Near The Rip

The Scuba Doctor explains what you need to know when Diving Near The Rip.

Diver Communications

Learn about the communication techniques used in scuba diving. More about: Diver Communications - Ways for divers to communicate, both under and over the water

Diver Emergency

When you're faced with a Diver Emergency then these are the numbers to call. More about: Diver Emergency - Don't Panic! Use these Diver Emergency Numbers

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