Welcome to your Underwater Hunting Course
Please read everything carefully and complete the course by clicking Next Page until you get to the final exam!
Risk Awareness Overview
Any time you enter the water to scuba dive, there is the risk of an accident that may include injury, or even death. You will need to listen and learn from your instructor who will teach you how to be a scuba diver. However, the very essence of the course is to make you independent. As such, the responsibility for your well-being depends on you. Because your safety depends on your personal actions and how well you apply yourself and follow the rules, you will be required to sign a series of forms. It is very important that you read each form carefully so you understand fully what you are signing and what rights you are relinquishing.
Anyone who is interested in diving, has good physical and mental health, and is comfortable in the water can learn to scuba dive. Good physical and mental fitness means good general health. You do not need to be a super athlete but you do need to be reasonably fit, as scuba diving puts stress on both your body and your mind. To be a scuba diver, you need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.
There are some pre-existing medical contraindications that might disqualify you from scuba diving. To help you review this aspect of fitness, your instructor will provide you with a medical history form. Please complete it honestly. We do care about your well-being. Areas of particular concern are the circulatory and respiratory systems, air spaces and any condition that might cause a person to pass out, or lose consciousness. If there is any concern about your medical condition, you will be asked to have a medical exam by a physician before participation in open-water scuba activities. Substance abuse of any kind, be it alcohol, drugs or smoking, has no place in scuba diving. If you have a problem with any of these, it is far better to deal with it before you take scuba lessons.
Any time you enter the water to dive, there is the risk of an accident that may include injury, or even death. This risk requires that you be very conscious of your responsibility to follow instructions and remain in close contact with your instructor during supervised activities. However, your safety is ultimately your responsibility, and your goal is to perform without depending on your instructor. Since the nature of some open-water skills require the instructor to give direct attention to one student at a time, there will be moments when you are out of the instructor's vision. As always, it is your responsibility to maintain contact at all times. Also, the instructor can only judge you by your performance. It is your responsibility to say how you feel. Let the instructor know if you are cold, sick, overheated or tired. You should not participate if you don't feel well, and you should never say you are satisfied with your performance if you aren't.
You need to follow the instructions from diving leaders and follow the safe rules of diving. It is your responsibility to maintain both buddy and instructor contact during open-water training dives. At the same time, only do those things with your buddy that you are comfortable with. You need to stay within your comfort zone and for what you have been trained. Keep your instructor informed of your needs, wishes and concerns. Remember, the instructor only knows how you look, not how you feel. Stress is a normal and expected part of scuba diving. You need to control it to be able to solve problems while in the water. By developing a higher level of awareness of yourself, your buddy, your skills, your equipment and the environment, you will be a better and safer diver. By putting all of these ideas together with your training, you will be ready to dive in open water. Risk is a part of life. Activities that add adventure to our lives also add risks. Yet, most recreational divers enjoy scuba diving without ever having an injury. At the same time, no one can guarantee that you will never have an accident.