Basic rules of diving

Before diving
Never dive alone
Dives should always be conducted at least in pairs. The diving partner or buddy should be a trusted partner on whom you can rely one hundred percent in case of emergency. He helps in case of difficulties and water, lack of air or health problems.

Never dive with a cold
Blocked sinuses cause pain during descent and can lead to barotrauma. The same applies to the use of nasal spray before diving, when the mucous membrane decongestant effect wears off.

Only dive if you feel fit
Only if you feel healthy and fit, you may go diving. After a night of partying, alcohol consumption or in case of illness, you should refrain from diving.

Drink enough and don't overexert yourself before the dive
Drinking enough reduces the risk of decompression sickness. Dehydration should be avoided, especially in hot weather. Long marches and strenuous climbs to shore should also be avoided.

Always dive with a second regulator
If the first regulator fails or there are other complications, an octopus can save lives.

During diving
Timely pressure equalization
Always ensure that pressure is equalized in a timely manner. In addition, beginners should avoid decompression dives, and even professionals should only do them if they are absolutely sure of themselves.

Exertion and cold water shorten no-decompression time
If you exert yourself a lot or cool down faster due to very cold water, you will shorten your no-decompression time and have to end the dive faster or perform decompression stops.

Leave fish and plants alone
Responsible divers protect flora and fauna and do not touch anything. Especially with poisonous fish, touching can be dangerous.

When surfacing
3 minutes at 5 meters
Five meters below the surface, a three-minute decompression stop should be made even during no-stop dives.

Ascend slowly and breathe
Surfacing too quickly creates the risk of barotrauma or decompression sickness. Also, always continue to breathe normally when surfacing, otherwise you may rupture your lungs.

Always look up
When surfacing, look up and as landward as possible to detect ships and other obstacles early.

After diving
Once a week off
If you dive more often per week, you should not go diving at least one day per week. Because even those who dive more often for a short time or not so deep risk decompression sickness, because the body does not get enough oxygen saturation.

Only fly after 24-48h
Those who have flown to another location for diving should not go diving again 24 to 48 hours before the return flight, depending on the diving intensity, because the oxygen saturation in the body must first be brought back to a normal state and the body is also stressed by flying.

Source: www.sichertauchen.de