There is no doubt that scuba is one of the most exciting activities, but there are also some very important safety rules that every diver should know and obey. Failure to do so could result in serious injury, even death.

The most basic rule is to always dive with a buddy. This ensures that, in case of an accident or equipment malfunction, you will have someone to help you. In addition, it is essential to follow diving instructions and to always check your air supply gauges frequently. It is also important to adhere to the ‘rule of thirds’, which states that you should use a third of your air while descending, a third during ascent and leave a final third in reserve.

Nitrogen narcosis is another very common risk, but can be avoided by staying within no-decompression limits and ascending slowly. Divers should always equalize their ears during descent and ascending, and be careful not to touch any coral, which may damage the delicate organisms that live on it.

Many people who love to scuba own their own equipment, while others rent it from a local shop. There are even second-hand markets where you can find equipment at a fraction of its retail price. In many countries, shopping tax-free in Europe is worth the extra effort when buying scuba gear.