There are very few experiences that can create an almost-indescribable feeling in the way scuba diving does.
Whatever personal emotion you get when spending time beneath the waves, it’s likely you can feel it in your very core.
That is one of the things that makes the world of diving such a very special pastime. But, for all those amazing experiences and feelings to take place, there are a series of guidelines that must be followed. For every do, there are several don’ts.
It might not be the exciting bit, but following all the instructions and rules will ensure your time in the water is extra special and extra safe. So, while not wanting to be killjoys, here’s an Emperor Divers top 10 guide to the things you should NEVER do when diving.
Skip the buddy check
The best way to identify any potential issues before entering the water. By going over each other’s gear, you can ensure tanks are properly secured, regulators work correctly, safety devices are in place etc etc. Even the most experienced divers can potentially miss something without this check. A buddy check also reinforces teamwork and communication, trust and reliability which is great if you’ve been paired with someone who isn’t your longstanding buddy.
Forget your fins
Like many of these points this one might seem obvious, but we’ve seen this more times than you would think. Don’t forget your fins!
Forgetting your fins will severely impact your mobility and safety underwater as they provide propulsion, allow you to swim efficiently, conserve energy, and manage currents. Without them, controlling your movements becomes challenging and increases fatigue.
Take anything from the sea
It’s a bit of a cliché these days but it still rings true – take nothing home but memories.
Removing anything from the sea while scuba diving potentially disrupts ecosystems and can harm the marine life you leave behind. Every shell, rock, or coral fragment serves a purpose—providing shelter, food, or contributing to habitat structures. Corals, for example, take years to grow just a few centimetres and are vital to marine life.
We are very much of the view that the underwater world is there for everyone to enjoy and by doing our bit to preserve it, it can be there for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.
Also, taking souvenirs from the ocean is illegal in some areas – and you don’t want to get in trouble!
Touch or feed marine life
This one works both ways and is, again, fairly obvious.
If you touch the marine life you are looking you run the risk of harming both the animal and yourself. Aside from the physical damage you might cause with your strength, human touch can transfer harmful bacteria to marine creatures. In return, are you sure it won’t sting, bite, poison etc in return?
Feeding wildlife disrupts their natural behaviours, can harm their health and might also provoke a defensive reaction. Respect the creatures around by observing them only.
As you might say to a kid in a sweetshop – look, don’t touch.
Ignore the dive plan
The dive plan outlines depth, time, entry and exit points, and key safety protocols, ensuring all divers are on the same page. Ignoring the plan can be disastrous and lead to disorientation, separation from the group, and a greatly increased risk of decompression sickness.
By following the plan, divers can avoid exceeding safe depth limits and air consumption rates, which helps prevent emergencies.
You will have a plan, so stick to it.
Leave your buddy
While ‘Never Leave Your Buddy’ might sound like a Country & Western song from the 1950s, it works as sound advice when you are diving. Diving as a team means there’s always someone to help in case of emergencies and your buddy is there to provide reassurance, assistance, and extra air if needed. In return, they might need you to help them out of trouble and, if you’ve gone……
Keep your friends close and your buddy closer.
Forget to check your air gauge
Your air gauge, unsurprisingly, shows exactly how much air remains in your tank.
Humans, as you might be aware, find air quite useful when it comes to the whole ‘staying alive’ thing, so it’s as well to make sure you have plenty. You really don’t want to find yourself with such low air levels you haven’t got time to ascend safely and monitoring your air gauge can also reduce any stress, allowing you to enjoy the dive without worry.
Wear too much or too little weight
It’s one of the first things you learn.
Too much weight can make it hard to ascend, too little makes it difficult to descend. Proper weighting lets you maintain neutral buoyancy, conserve energy and allow for a smooth, controlled dive. With your weighting sorted, it makes it a far more pleasant and relaxed experience at the start, middle and end of your dive.
Dive dehydrated or hungover
One of the greatest joys of the diving day is kicking back, enjoying the sunset while sipping at your drink of choice and enjoying the company of your fellow divers.
For some, this may be about as close to paradise as it gets. It is also when an element of killjoy comes into things. A few drinks are great – but probably no more than that. Diving while hungover poses significant risks to your health and safety underwater. Dehydration thickens the blood, slowing circulation and increasing the risk of decompression sickness.
A hangover can impair judgment, slow reflexes, and reduce situational awareness, making it harder to respond to emergencies. Underwater, dehydration and hangover-related symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and headaches are amplified, increasing the chance of panic and accidents.
Basically, drink plenty of water and don’t go overboard (sorry for the terrible pun) when it comes to alcohol.
Skipping safety stop
The safety stop allows excess nitrogen to safely dissolve, reducing the risk of decompression sickness.
It also provides a moment to check for any issues, adjust buoyancy, and prepare for a controlled ascent. Even if you feel fine, your body benefits from this pause, especially after deep or long dives. Skipping it can result in fatigue, dizziness, or severe health risks, making this brief stop vital for a safe dive.