You have heard Safety First, I am sure and in scuba diving it still is true.  Your safety is your primary concern when you are diving.  The thing is it's a real safe sport but people do get hurt in it.  Usually these injuries can be avoided if you use common since and know what to look out for.  this article will go into more detail on the dangers you may run into and how to make sure you are prepared so you won't be one of the unlucky ones.

Scuba diving remains a relatively safe sport, but there are those instances where people have caused themselves great harm by violating a number of common sense safety rules. It is best to examine the common errors people make when scuba diving so that the perceived danger of scuba diving can be greatly limited.

A Danger of Scuba Diving – Lack of Certification

While it is impossible for someone to rent or purchase scuba equipment without proper beginner or advanced diver certification, it is (sadly) not uncommon to see certified divers purchase or rent equipment and then hand it over to an uncertified person. This is incredibly irresponsible and dangerous. Scuba diving requires special skills and knowledge and to attempt a dive without that can lead to a serious catastrophe.   So even if you are tempted, don't do it.  Wait until you have got your diving certification before you go diving.

A Danger of Scuba Diving – Limited Skill

Certain dives require specialized skills because they are extremely dangerous to an untrained person. Ice diving, cavern diving, shark diving and wreck penetration diving MUST be performed by someone who has been specifically trained in these areas. Those who attempt these types of dives without proper training have suffered the ultimate penalty for their inexperience. This is a shame as $300 and a weekend of training would have saved their lives.  There is lot to see and do under water with out that you have to dive in places that could cause you death.  So just be patient until you have the experience and then you can start diving in these places.  They are not going anywhere.

A Danger of Scuba Diving – Alcohol

While most people who partake in the sport of scuba diving do so in a safe and responsible manner, there are those who take irresponsibility to new heights. In particular, there will be those who will go scuba diving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is, of course, an incredibly dangerous practice and has led to a number of fatalities. As such, it is critical not to dive while under the influence of any addictive substances.

A Danger of Scuba Diving – Poor Conditioning

While most do not like to call attention to it, a number of scuba diving mishaps have involved people who were morbidly obese, smokers or morbidly obese smokers. The stats do not lie: people who fall into this category have suffered cardiac arrest while diving. It was not diving that killed them; it was the lack of concern for their own health. Had they not neglected their health, they would not have suffered the fate they did.

Virtually all these areas of increased danger could have been modified, but the neglect on the part of the diver was the impetus for the dangers that resulted. The moral of the story is thus obvious.

The fact is, if you take a good dive buddy and you pay attention and follow the basic dive rules then you will be fine.  Also don't get to bold.  If something seems not quite right, then it probably isn't so stay away.  As you gain more experience as a diver you will recognize unsafe areas faster.  that is why it is recommended to go diving with a dive buddy that has more experience than you until you have some time under your belt.  Don't let this stop you from going out and learning to dive.  If you are taught well and follow the rules you will be pretty safe.