When non-divers meet scuba divers, they often ask questions that reveal an intense curiosity mixed with apprehension and perhaps a fair amount of misinformation. This article addresses a few of the most common ones — to give you confidence to answer those who might ask and perhaps help turn some of them into new divers.

Probably the biggest misconception is that diving is dangerous. While some dive sites are more hazardous than others, most scuba diving is far safer than jogging or riding a bicycle. The primary dangers of scuba diving are injury and exhaustion.

The injuries associated with scuba diving are almost always the result of improper use of equipment or excessive depth. Most can be prevented by following the basic precautions.

Most of the scuba diving accidents are caused by barotrauma to the ears. This occurs when a diver descends and the increased water pressure compresses the air within the middle ear. This is usually not painful, but it can be very uncomfortable and is easily corrected by equalizing the pressure in the ears. The procedure is accomplished by pinching the nose closed, lifting the chin and gently blowing air out through the mouth. It is not difficult to learn and can be done by anyone who has the ability to breath underwater.

When planning a dive, never attempt to do something that is beyond your qualification level. This is especially true for wreck penetrations, deep dives and nitrox diving. It is also important to check your gauges frequently and to follow the buddy plan.