PAPERWORK
• standard agency or company only
• medical questionnaire
• liability release

RENTAL EQUIPMENT
• complete or mismatched
• inspection and assembly prior to departing the dive shop
• tanks: hydro and visuals
• proper fit

AIR COMPRESSOR AND AIR FILLS
• air quality inspection certificate

DIVE BRIEFINGS
• Site
• Environmet / Emergency
• Activity
• Buoyancy
• Air
• Gear

SWIMMING SKILLS
• Demonstrate swim stroke proficiency of at least 15 continuous stroke cycles
• 10 minute survival swim
• 50 feet underwater swim, 1 breath

SKIN DIVING SKILLS
• 450 yards snorkel swim, non-stop
• Recover diver from about 10 feet
Perform Skin Diving Technique
• Water entries and exits
• Surface dives
• Surface swimming
• Clearing the snorkel
• Ditching the weight belt
• Buoyancy control
• Underwater swimming and surfacing

SCUBA DIVING SKILLS
Pre and Post Dive Skills
• Select, check, assemble, and don equipment
• Pre-dive gear check for self and buddy
• Defog masks
• Doff, rinse, and care for gear
Surface Skills
• Entries and exits
• Perform surface buoyancy/weighting check
• Surface communications for divers
• Orally inflate/deflate own and buddy's BC
• At surface remove (in turn) equipment
• Face submerged, breathe through snorkel, rest/swim
• Face submerged, breathe through water in snorkel
• Release simulated cramp for self and buddy
• Entry/exit, use of float/flag (if applicable)
Ascent/Descent Skills
• Control pressure in air spaces
• Control feet first descent with breath or BC
• Controlled ascent with precautionary stop
Underwater Skills
• Give, recognize, and respond to U/W signals
• Mask clearing, including remove and replace
• Remove, replace, and clear primary regulator
• Primary regulator recovery
• Hover without support
• Use of buddy system
• Monitor air supply -- communicate amount
• Environmental and compass navigation
• Compass navigation, bearings, and reciprocal
Planning Skills
• Surface air consumption calculation
• Plan then make no-deco dive between 40-60 feet
• Calculate repetitive no-deco dive using tables
Environmental Skills
• Diving with minimal impact on environment
• Marine life identification
Emergency Skills
• Transport 50 yards simulated exhausted buddy
• Share air both as donor and receiver
• Perform controlled emergency swimming ascent
• Alternate air share both as donor/receiver
• Retrieve unconscious diver from 10 feet

SAFE DIVING PRACTICES
• Be trained and certified by a professional underwater instructor.
• Maintenance good physical and mental conditions for diving. Be at ease in the water. Only dive when feeling well. Do not use any intoxicating liquor or dangerous drugs before diving. Have a regular medical exam for diving.
• Use correct, complete, well-maintained diving equipment, which is checked before each dive. Equipment must not be loaned to non-certified divers. Use a buoyancy compensator, plus a submersible pressure gauge and alternate air source.
• Know the limitations of yourself, your buddy and your equipment. Use the best possible judgment and common sense in planning each dive. Allow a margin of safety in order to be prepared for emergencies. Set moderate limits for depth and time in the water.
• Know your diving location. Avoid dangerous places and poor conditions.
• Control your buoyancy to make diving as easy as possible. Strive for neutral buoyancy. Be prepared to ditch your weights. Make an emergency ascent, clear your mask or take other emergency action if needed. In an emergency: Stop, Breathe, Think, Act.
• Never dive alone. Always buddy dive -- know each other's equipment. Know hand signals and stay in contact.
• Use a boat or float as a surface support station whenever this will increase the safety and enjoyment of the dive. Fly the "diver down" flag to warn boaters that divers are underwater. Slowly surface close to the float and flag, watching and listening for possible hazards. (See "Safe Boat Diving Practices")
• Beware of breath holding. Breathe continuously throughout all scuba diving activities. Emphsize exhalation any ascents. Without scuba: avoid excessive "over breathing" before a skin dive; do not overexert. Know your limits and allow for a margin of safety. Be sure to equalize pressure early and often both during ascent and descent.
• If your are cold, tired, injured, out of air or not feeling well, get out of the water. Diving is no longer fun or safe. If any abnormality persists, get medical attention.
• Know decompression procedures, tables and emergency procedures. Make all dives as "no decompression" dives. Avoid stage decompression particularly on repetitive dives, at altitude or when flying after diving. Wait a minimum of 24 hours before flying or driving to altitude.
• Ascend no faster than 30 feet per minute -- ascend 10 feet and wait for 20 seconds -- one foot every two seconds, etc...
• Make a "recommended safety stop" at the end of dives. That means you should pause at about 15-18 feet for a minimum of three minutes before your final ascent to the surface. For dives deeper than 60 feet, do a "recommended deep stop." Ascend half of the deepest part of that dive and pause for 90 seconds. Ascend half that distance again and pause for another 90 seconds. Safety stops and deep stops may be combined.
• Continue your scuba training by diving regularly, taking additional training, specialty courses, refresher courses, and continuing education. Log all dives and make at least 24 dives each year (like 2 dives on one day each month).

SAFE BOATING PRACTICES
• Select a Coast Guard licensed boat that is fully equipped with the required safety equipment and has diver support and safety equipment.
• Ask to receive boat diving techniques training as a part of your basic, sport or advanced diving courses.
• Rely on the Captain's knowledge of the most suitable dive sites. Plan your dive using the specific site information provided by the crew or Divemaster.
• Only sign up for trip destinations that are consistent with your ability and dive plan.
• Arrive at the boat 15 minutes before departure. Stow your well marked gear in the assigned locations. Respect the boat facilities: no wet suits in the bunk room or dropping tanks or weight belts on the deck.
• Between dives keep dive gear in your bag to avoid lost or broken equipment. Assistyour buddy with his/her tank. Do not sit on the deck to put your tank on or you may get hit on the head by another diver's tank.
• Use your equipment to dive easily and safely. Do not over weight yourself. Only use your BC to fine tune your buoyancy during the dive or to compensate for a heavy game bag at the end of the dive.
• No loaded spear guns are EVER allowed on the boat or boarding ramp. Bring a container for your game. Help keep the boat deck clean and clear.
• Use the boat exit points recommended by the crew. Move away from the boat exit once you are in the water. Either snorkel clearly on the surface or begin your descent down the anchor line. Do not use scuba to skim just under the surface. If you just skim the surface you cannot be seen by passing boats or other divers.
• Fins should be put on last while you are waiting near the exit. Do not walk around the deck wearing fins.
• Be sure to use a compass and submersible pressure gauge. Plan your dive so you end the dive with a reserve of air and are able to return to the boat while still under water.
• Be aware of changes in current conditions during the dive. Use natural clues such as seaweed. Look for current lines trailed behind the boat on the surface. Do not hesitate to pull yourself hand-over-hand back to the boat using this line.
• Use common sense, training, and experience and ask questions if you are unsure. Allow for a "margin of reserve" and do not push your endurance limits. Watch for other divers waving one arm while on the surface. They are signaling a diver in distress. Divers who maintain personal control and are comfortable in the water have safe, enjoyable experience under water.