SlugLife
Contributor
A few more:
- Every dive you return from safely, is an opportunity to dive again.
- In other words, don't push safety limits. If you're feeling light-headed, not properly equipped, low on air, or your ego is encouraging you to do something "stupid" .... do the safe thing. You can always do more advanced/cooler/skilled/etc dives later when you're prepared for them.
- Secure your regulators, where you can find them by feel alone.
- Practice regulator switching (and all your other skills)
- Most severe SCUBA accidents tends to follow a 3-strikes pattern. For example: Ignoring a safety rule, having an equipment issue, then panicking. However, in many cases it all started with that first willful act of ignoring a safety rule or standard, without adding appropriate redundancies or backup plans.
My Advice: Reasonable money-saving, makes redundancy more affordable. For example, regulators behind on service, but fully functional are great for pony-bottle regulators. If it fails, it's only your redundant air-source, and better than not having a redundant-air-source at all.More expensive and/or more complicated doesn't mean it's safer or better; it's okay to buy second-hand dive gear.
"There are 2 kinds of divers. Those who pee in their wetsuit, and those who lie about it."Get a p-valve for your dry suit.