Environmental Factors to Watch Out For While Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is probably one of the most thrilling recreational activities you can pursue on the face of the planet. But then again, the sport endeavors with it heavy accountability from the diver. Though the open waters of a particular site can be thought of as safe for diving, it would be wise to extensively learn about the profile of the dive site, by coordinating with local diving agencies or scuba diving shops, before plunging its depths.

Here are a few dive spot features and environmental conditions you need to be informed about prior to the conduct of a diving activity so that you won't be caught unprepared in terms of gear or stunned by any eventuality that crosses your way underwater.

1. Low Water Temperatures. Cold water locations such as in the thermocline levels of a freshwater divespot or at a certain depth of the ocean (during winter time) can get particularly chilly and make a diver susceptible to hypothermia if the don of a thicker wetsuit is dispensed with. Wearing a thick jumpsuit with a torso and limb thickness of at least 4 and 3 respectively is a must to prevent the likelihood of freezing underwater.
2. Sharp Corals. Coral debris could get stuck in skin tissue and cause infection. Avoid swimming too close to coral reefs and always wear a full-bodied suit when diving in warm waters to insulate your body from the scorching heat of the sun and prevent abrasion as well.
3. Dangerous Marine Animals. Stings, shark bites and eel electrocution are just a few of the animal-induced hazards underwater. Thus, a diver needs to be informed of the presence of these marine creatures beforehand so that he can prepare for reinforcement as well as avoid direct contact to prevent potential attacks.
4. Hazardous Chemicals. The wear of complete gear such as a drysuit and a full-face mask minimizes the penetration of harmful chemicals present in industrial water areas, particularly to a commercial diver who is trained and skilled to man this type of diving condition.
5. Fast and Strong Currents. This may cause the diver to be separated from the boat or from his team when drift diving. Always employ buoyant markers on the surface to help divers detect their way back to the surface. As much as possible, divers should not swim against the direction of the current.
6. Low Visibility. Too much silt clouding the view, can further reduce the already low visibility profile of a freshwater dive spot. Frog kicking is one technique taught in diving school to counteract the limitations of low visibility diving. Moreover, the diver should be well prepared with a set of headlights, an extra cylinder tank and a reliable diving regulator set if he intends to dive in locations with low visibility profiles.