Preparation Self Rescue

Self reliance and self rescue begin by preparing yourself physicall and mentally, and by preparing your equipment.

Your physical preparation includes keeping yourself in good fitness and health for diving, including a proper diet, appro­priate exercise and maintaining your dive skills. Mental prepara­tion includes being confident about and feeling well about each dive you make. You do this by having the skills and experience necessary for the dive, and not exceeding your limits.

You prepare your equipment by becoming familiar with it, so you can inspect it for potential problems and so you can maintain it properly. Equipment preparation includes regular servicing, proper adjust­ment, and diving properly weighted (over weighting is a common con­tributor to diver problems). Equip­ment preparation also means that you're familiar with your buddy's equipment, including weight release and alternate air source type and location and having signaling devices such as safety sausages and whistle with you on ever dive. You can learn more about dive equip­ment types, function, maintenance and adjustment by completing the PADI Equipment specialist  course