What is an AC card for scuba diving?
We’re talking here about recreational open-circuit scuba diving. And, no, it is not a “license. Instead, you will get a certification card, commonly referred to as a C-card, that attests you have done some training with a scuba diving instructor. Can you scuba dive without being certified? Yes, you can. It’s called a Discover Scuba Diving® experience (often shortened to DSD®). A DSD is the perfect way to try scuba diving and find out if you like it.
Who is not allowed to scuba dive?
A person with heart trouble, a current cold or congestion or who has epilepsy, asthma, a serious medical problem, or who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, should not dive. Some recreational divers have descended to depths of 1,000 feet and beyond and survived the experience without any problems. However, the biggest concern is getting crushed from the increasing weight of the water. The water pressure can suffocate you to death if you don’t take precautions.At depths greater than 40 metres (131 ft), a diver may have only a few minutes at the deepest part of the dive before decompression stops are needed. In the event of an emergency, the diver cannot make an immediate ascent to the surface without risking decompression sickness.After 5 to 10 minutes of not breathing, you’re likely to develop serious brain damage that may be irreversible. However, free divers with regular training can go for much longer periods of time as they learn to minimize their metabolic functions and preserve oxygen.While there is no strict weight limit for scuba diving, physical fitness plays a crucial role in a diver’s ability to handle the physical demands of the sport. Cardiovascular health, strength, and stamina are important for managing the equipment, swimming against currents, and responding to potential emergencies.Never hold your breath. This is undoubtedly by far the most crucial of all safety rules for diving because failure to adhere could result in fatality. If you hold your breath underwater at the depths at which scuba divers reach then the fluctuating pressure of air in your lungs can rupture the lung walls.
What is the 120 rule in diving?
The rule advises that the dive depth (in feet) in addition to the time a diver spends underwater (in minutes) should add up to no more than 120. The purpose of this rule is to help scuba divers to avoid serious dangers such as nitrogen narcosis as well as decompression sickness by keeping them within a safe range. For recreational scuba divers, most diving agencies recommend a maximum depth limit of 40 meters. This limit is in place for safety reasons, and diving within these boundaries is deemed relatively safe, provided recreational divers have the appropriate training and equipment.And at that depth, there’s an enormous amount of pressure, about 30 times what you experience on the surface. But the reason why humans can’t go any deeper, that pressure would compress the air in our lungs.Oxygen Toxicity During Diving If a person breathes 100% oxygen, this partial pressure would be reached at a depth of 13 feet (4 meters). Because air consists of only 21% oxygen, to reach that toxic partial pressure breathing air would require a dive to slightly over 187 feet (57 meters) in depth.Technical diving is a more complex, and challenging, form of scuba diving. Technical divers rely on specialized training, equipment, and mixed gases to safely descend beyond the recreational limit to depths that can exceed 90 meters (300 feet).
What is the 1/3 rule in diving?
The Rule of Thirds is a guideline used by scuba divers to manage their air supply effectively throughout a dive. It involves mentally dividing one’s breathing gas supply into three equal parts. One-third for the outward journey, one-third for the return journey, and one-third as a reserve or emergency supply. In technical diving, the 1/3 Rule ensures divers have enough gas for the descent, return, and emergencies. It divides the total gas supply into three parts: one-third for the descent and exploration, one-third for the return, and one-third as a reserve, enhancing safety in challenging environments.