Scuba is a fun and relaxing way to explore the underwater world. Divers enjoy this experience for a variety of reasons, such as viewing marine life in its natural environment or exploring underwater wrecks and caves. Regardless of their objectives, all divers must follow certain safety rules to ensure their enjoyment and the protection of the marine environment.

Divers must be aware of their air supply and use a buddy system to monitor their dive. They should frequently check their air content gauge and communicate with their buddy when they reach specific levels of consumption. It is also a good practice to apply the rule of thirds when planning your dives; allocate one-third of your air supply for the outward journey, one-third for the return and one-third as safety reserve.

A slow and safe rate of ascent is essential. Ascending too quickly can cause decompression sickness, known as the bends. It is recommended that a divers ascend no faster than 9 meters (30ft) per minute and always perform a safety stop of at least 3 minutes prior to surfacing.

Divers must be able to identify and avoid marine plants, animals and structures that are dangerous or could pose a threat to their health or well-being. In addition, divers should keep their hands to themselves as a practice of conservation and also because it is important for their own safety; coral reefs are sharp, marine plants can sting and marine creatures may bite.