SSI Open Water Diver Flashcards
Q: What is the SSI diamond?
A: The SSI diamond consists of four parts
- Experience
- Knowledge
- Equipment
- Skills
Q: What are the qualifications requirements for the open water diver certification?
A: Open water diver (the full qualification)
- 6 Academic session
- 6 Pool session
- 4 Open water dive
Q: what are the 6 elements of the total diving system?
A: there are 6 components
- Snorkel system
- Exposure system
- Delivery system
- Information system
- Buoyancy system
- Accessory system
Q: What are the differences in heat loss between air and water?
- water is a heat sink, air insulates
- in water you lose heat 25-30x faster
Q: What is the effects (3) of heat loss on the body while diving
- hypothermia if the core temperature drops below 35°
- when cold, the body may reduce circulation to the extremities in a process called blood shunting
- also when cold, the body can’t absorb nitrogen buildup as well
Q: describe the three types of heat loss during diving
- convection: steady flow of new water means it won’t reach equilibrium so heat loss intensifies
- internal conduction: when gas expands it cools, so breathing gas cones out cold and the body has to use energy to heat it
- external conduction: contact with water causes heat transfer
Q: Describe the most effective and efficient breathing pattern and body position for diving
- calm and continuous with a deep inhale and a long exhale
- body at a 15-20 degree angle so lungs and mouth are horizontal
Q: Why does air consumption increase with depth? Name four factors that influence air consumption rate.
- air consumption increase is due to the air coming out compressed, so more air is consumed per breath
- being cold
- excessive exertion
- improper response to stress
- poor physical condition
Q: What are air consumption rates for land versus water?
- air: 6-12 litres per min
- water: 12-15 litres per min
Q: what percentage of heat loss comes from head and extremities?
30-40%
Q: When the torso and brain get too cold, what is the bodies’ response and what is the name that response?
blood shunting: reduced circulation to extremities
Q: describe the two main types of delivery system
- open circuit demand regulator: used air gets released as bubbles
- closed circuit rebreather: used air goes into a tank and gets recycled
Q: Name the components of the delivery system and their function.
- Demand regulator
- First stage: tank pressure to 10bar
- Second stage: 10 bar to ambient
- primary secondary stage: for breathing
- secondary secondary stage: for sharing gas
- Dive cylinder: holds breathing gas
Q: name the 7 elements listed on a cylinder marking
- Safety body overseeing manufacture and safety
- Material
- Pressure rating
- Serial number
- Manufacturer
- Month + Year manufactured
- Volume (cu.ft.)
Q: what are the two valve systems for connecting regulator and cylinder
- Yoke
- DIN connection (as in DINA4)
Q: Name the components of the bouyancy system and their function.
- BC: Buoyancy compensator
- Weights: as belt or integrated pockets
- Pressure adjuster
Q: Explain the Archimedes principle and how it relates to diving
- An object submersed in liquid will displace liquid equal to its volume
- if the weight of the displaced liquid is greater than the object (lower density) it will float
- if the weight of the displaced liquid is less than the object (high density) it will sink
- if it is equal, the object stays in equilibrium
Q: Name the 3 components of the information system and their function.
- dive computer
- underwater slate and shaker
- analogue instruments
Q: What are the three most common configurations for information systems
- air integrated dive computer + compass
- regular dive computer + submersible pressure gauge + compass
- all analogue instruments
Q: What 5 analogue measurement devices are often part of the information system?
- Submersible pressure gauge
- Depth gauge
- Time piece
- Compass
- Thermometer
Q: What are the 5 functions most dive computers have?
Planning mode
- determine no-decompression time for planned dives
- see current surface interval (time till next dive)
- View above two time intervals for different depths while planning
Diving mode
- automatically activates in water
- track: depth, actual bottom time, remaining no-decompression time
- warns about ascent rate
- when back on surface, will calculate nitrogen release rate
- so if dive again, will take residual nitrogen into account
- air integrated: also tracks air and time remaining from cylinder pressure and air consumption rate
Logbook mode
- stores some dives, but can also be transferred to Logbook
Alarms
- can set alarms for various events
- ascent too fast, nearing end of no-decompression time, air low etc.
Time to fly
- how long to wait after flying
- also adjust nitrogen release rates for altitude
Q: Explain the 5 basic maintenance methods for diving gear by system.
Recorded in logbook
- Delivery System: performance tests, disassembled, cleaned, low pressure seals and dynamic o-rings are replaced
- Information System: accuracy tested and batteries checked
- Buoyancy Compensator: checked for leaks, seam integrity, buckle tension. Disassembled, cleaned and tested
- Visual Inspection: Annual inspection of cylinders to check for rust etc
- Exposure System: minor repairs or specialist maintenance
Q: What are the 14 steps in assembling SCUBA gear
Assembling SCUBA gear:
1. Pre-soak your BC strap to prevent the cylinder from becoming loose underwater.
2. Face the cylinder valve away from you.
3. Place your BC at the proper height on the cylinder by using the height adjustment strap (if available).
4. Secure your BC to the cylinder.
5. Check and inspect the cylinder o-ring or DIN fitting o-ring for cuts.
6. Standing behind the cylinder, position your Delivery System with the primary regulator over the right side and the Information System on the left side and gently tighten.
7. Before turning on the breathing gas, check the primary regulator and alternate by inhaling gently — you should not be able to breathe.
8. Attach the power inflator hose to your BC.
9. Face your Information System down and away from you and close to the cylinder.
10. Open the cylinder valve, gently seating it in the fully opened position.
11. Inflate your BC fully, check function of pressure relief and dump valves, leave your BC fully inflated and monitor for possible leakage and release air after successful leak test.
12. Check the performance of your regulators and the quality of breathing gas by pressing the purge valve. Clean breathing gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. If the breathing gas has any odor or taste, DO NOT DIVE WITH THAT CYLINDER! Once you have checked the quality of the breathing gas, breathe through your regulators and make sure they are working properly.
13. Once complete, place your Delivery and Information Systems inside your BC and secure it by laying the unit down.
14. For disassembling, simply reverse the order. The only difference is turning the breathing gas off. Once the breathing gas is off, it is necessary to purge all breathing gas from the Delivery System before removing from the cylinder.
Q: What are the three basic rules of SCUBA?
- Breathe continuously
- Ascend slowly and maintain control
- Never dive alone and beyond your training
Q: What is the max rate of ascent?
9m per minute
Q: In basic terms, describe the respiratory process
Oxygen from the air in the lungs diffuses into the bloodstream through the pulmonary capillaries
At the same time Carbon Dioxide diffuses out of the blood into the air to be exhaled
The oxygen rich blood flows into the left side of the heart through the pulmonary vein
It is transported through the body via the aorta, organs absorb the oxygen and diffuse Carbon Dioxide into the blood
Oxygen low blood flows into the right side of the heart and from there back into the pulmonary bed
Q: Name the three components of the lungs, what is the average lung capacity?
Bronchioles (air pipes)
Alveoli (grape like bunches)
Pulmonary capillary bed (for blood)
capacity: 5-6 litres
Q: what is the maximum amount of overpressure lungs can withstand, and how much depth does that equate to?
A: 0.12 bar or 1.2m depth
Q: give an example of how gas bubbles could enter the bloodstream
A: by lung overexpansion during ascent. if you don’t breathe normally and hold your breath while ascending, the air expands in you lungs which is dangerous. breathing normally prevents this injury
Q: List four possible lung overexpansion injuries
Arterial Gas Embolism
Pneumothorax
Subcutaneous Emphysema
Mediastinal Emphysema
Q: Describe cause, symptoms (7), prevention and treatment of Arterial Gas Embolism
cause
Arterial Gas Embolism. an embolism describes arterial blockage. this comes from air entering the bloodstream via ruptured Alveoli and traveling to the brain causing a blockage in the capillaries
signs:
unconsciousness while surfacing or withing 6min
signs similar to a stroke: slurred speech, confusion, weakness in limbs (can be both sided)
respiratory and circulatory distress or failure
loss of motor functions and paralysis
headache
vertigo
visual, auditory, speech anomalies
prevention:
do not ascend faster than 9m per minute
treatment:
the usual 4 first aud steps
Q: Describe symptoms (2) and treatment of Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax: air escapes into the lining between lungs and ribcage and pressure can cause the lungs to collapse
breathing difficulties
heart failure
Q: Describe symptoms and treatment of Subcutaneous Emphysema
Subcutaneous Emphysema: air escapes from lungs to heart region and from there into trachia (windpipe) and collarbone region
voice change
swollen neck and throat
crackling sensation when touching swollen area
breathing difficulties
Q: Describe cause, symptoms (4), prevention and treatment of Mediastinal Emphysema
Mediastinal Emphysema: air escapes from the lungs to the heart and presses on the heart.
cyanosis: blue lips and nail beds from lack of oxygen
chest pain
weakness
respiratory distress
prevention
* breathe continuously
* don’t ascend faster than 9m/min
treatment: the usual first aid 4
Q: What are the four first aid steps?
treat the shock
administer oxygen
administer CPR
get the patient to emergency treatment (shouldn’t this come first?!)
Q: Define the term partial pressure.
A: the total pressure of a gas is given by the pressure of its component parts, the pressure of these parts is called partial pressure
Q: List the percentages of nitrogen and oxygen in gas and calculate the partial pressure of each at 1 bar
Nitrogen: 79%, pp: 0.79bar
Oxygen: 21%, pp: 0.21bar
Q: Define the term gradient and relate the definition to the effects of breathing gas at depth
pressure gradient is the difference in pressure between two connected regions
until equilibrium, there will be a gradient between the breathing gasses and the gasses in solution in the blood and tissue
Q: What is Henry’s Law?
A: the amount of gas that will dissolve into a liquid is directly proportional to its pressure
Q: What is Dalton’s Law?
A: the total pressure of a gas is the sum of the pressure of its component gasses
Q: Explain how Decompression Sickness is caused
Decompression Sickness
as pressure increases, a pressure gradient forms between the air being breather (high nitrogen pressure) and the nitrogen in the blood and tissue
nitrogen will diffuse into the blood and tissue until equilibrium
when ascending, desaturation occurs, now the breathing air has lower pressure nitrogen than that in the tissue, so nitrogen diffuses out again
desaturation is slower than the initial buildup, so you can descend relatively fast but have to ascent slowly (9m per minute max)
going too fast causes supersaturstion and the nitrogen comes out of solution forming bubbles in the tissue and bloodstream
Q: What are at least 7 of the 13 symptoms, of Decompression Sickness?
Symptoms of Decompression Sickness
deep and persistent pain, especially in the joints
itchy skin rash, especially where skin is thin
visual disturbances
weakness and motor paralysis
loss of manual dexterity
vertigo
numbness
respiratory distress
headache
unconsciousness
loss of memory
nausea
Q: What are the 6 steps prevent Decompression Sickness?
6 steps to preventing Decompression Sickness
plan your dive, dive your plan to manage decompression time
observe your computer for time, depth and ascent rate. 3-4min stops at 5m
Physically prepare: rest well, hydrate
Honestly evaluate physical condition
No heavy exercise 6h before dive
Stay warm
Q: explain the Critical difference method
Critical difference method
used to determine the maximum amount of nitrogen tissue can contain when returning to the surface
the body can tolerate an amount of supersaturstion dependant on the partial pressure at the surface
when returning to the surface, the amount of nitrogen that is tolerable is based on a 1.58:1 ratio
1.58 comes from 2x partial pressure of nitrogen at sea level
used by dive computers to calculate how long you can stay at a given depth before this critical amount of nitrogen is exceeded
Q: What is the rule of thirds when it comes to diving?
Rule of thirds is about how to portion ut your gas cylinder (equal portions):
1 for exploring
2 for returning to ascent point
3 for ascending and safety stops
how long should you wait after diving before flying?
A: 24h
Q: List the cause, symptoms (8), prevention and treatment for Nitrogen Narcosis.
cause: nitrogen being absorbed at high pressure and making you high
Symptoms of nitrogen narcosis:
light headedness, over confidence, numbness and euphoria
Unusual behaviour
Loss of dexterity
Dizziness
Abnormal vision and hearing
Inability to reason and follow the dive plan
Carelessness about personal wellbeing
Short term memory loss and difficulty tracking time
treatment: reduce depth
prevention: don’t dive below 18m without extra training
Q: List the cause, symptoms, prevention and treatment for Oxygen Toxicity
cause: oxygen under high partial pressure, 1.6bar (65m for air) becomes toxic
prevention:
never dive with pure oxygen
when diving with a mix other than air, check the content
don’t exceed 1.4bar ppO2
symptoms: ConVENTID
Convulsions
Visual disturbances
Ear disorder
Nausea
Twitching
Irritability
Dizziness
treatment: Ascend until pressure drops
Q: List the cause, symptoms, prevention and treatment for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
cause:
Carbon Monoxide can get into breathing gas through improper filling (gas gets too hot and melts internal lubricants, compressor intake near boat fumes)
breathing Carbon Monoxide is dangerous because it binds to hemoglobin 200x easier than O2 does, thus disrupting oxygen transport and causing organs to not get enough O2
prevention:
ask for gas analysis from dive station
symptoms:
Red lips
Dizziness, nausea, headache, weakness
Breathing difficulties
unconsciousness
confusion, loss of coordination
treatment:
administer clean gas, oxygen, CPR if needed, emergency services
Q: List cause, symptoms (4), treatment and prevention (5) of Carbon Dioxide Excess.
cause:
- carbon dioxide is the primary stimulant for the breathing reflex
- high exertion and oxygen consumption lead to more production of carbon dioxide
- if you can’t recover from the overexertion, more and more carbon dioxide might build up as the breathing response gets triggered
- carbon dioxide buildup speeds up the onset of other issues such as nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness
symptoms:
- distress and anxiety
- headache
- confusion
- drowsiness and unconsciousness
prevention:
- breathe evenly and calmly
- use a well fitted dive system
- stay within 30m dive limit
- maintain neutral buoyancy to reduce effort
- if you can’t recover from overexertion at depth, return to the surface
treatment:
- fresh gas, oxygen, CPR, emergency services
Q: State at least three reasons to always dive with a buddy.
it is safer, if something happens to you, they can help
you have a backup oxygen supply if something happens
they provide psychological well-being
Q: What is the maximum distance your should be away from your buddy?
A: No further than you would be comfortable swimming without oxygen, 1-2 body lengths
Q: State the primary reason for planning dives and executing them according to the plan.
A: To prevent incidents
Q: How much gas should you have in your cylinder when you return to the surface?
A: 35bar
Q: Define the terms residual nitrogen, surface interval and repetitive dive and relate the effects of each to nitrogen absorption.
residual nitrogen: the amount of excessive nitrogen dissolved in the blood stream and tissues after all previous dives in a series. Aim is to make no-decompression dives
surface interval: time spent out of water between dives, during this time residual nitrogen is absorbed
repetitive dive: a dive that started more than 10min and less than 12h after previous dive. It is important to track residual nitrogen in the body from a previous dive and factor that into decompression limits when doing a repetitive dive
Q: Define the term No-decompression Limit and give an example of how to dive within the limit.
A: it is the amount of time you can stay at a given depth before having to make a mandatory decompression stop on the ascent.
Q: define depth, bottom time, total dive time
A: depth: deepest point reached during the dive
A: bottom time: amount of time elapsed from start of descent until start of ascent
A: total dive time: total time elapsed between start of descent and reaching surface (inc. ascent and decompression stop time)
Q: define no-decompression limits, no decompression dive and decompression dive
no decompression limits: the maximum time allowed at depth without making a mandatory decompression stop on the ascent
no decompression dive: any dive made to a depth and time that allows for a direct ascent to the surface without decompression stops
decompression dive: any dive that exceed the no-decompression limits at a given depth, requiring decompression stops on during the ascent
Q: Define single and multi level dives
single level dive: when you go straight down to the deepest planned depth and then back up
multi level dive: when you spend time at different depths throughout the dive. this is more realistic to how most dives go
Q: What key benefit does a dive computer have over dive tables when it comes to dive planning?
dive computers track multi level dives as they actually happen, dive tables only allow for single level dives
this gives more a accurate view of nitrogen absorption
this translates to getting more dive time while staying safe
Q: Which 6 guidelines should you follow when using a dive computer?
Always bring your own, never share so you have a backup if one fails
Check battery before diving
Adhere to the limits of the dive computer and follow all warnings
follow the ascent display and stick to the proper ascent rate
remain within your limits and be conservative
plan and execute your dive carefully and have a contingency plan if your dive computer fails
Q: What should you do if your dive computer fails?
get with your buddy
return to the surface monitoring their computer
add an extra long safety stop just in case
do not dive for the next 24h
Q: What is the purpose of a pre-dive briefing?
A: to make sure all divers are clear and agreed on the parameters of the dive
Q: What should you cover in a pre-dive briefing? (10)
objective of the dive
conditions of the dive
dive plan
communication
buddy check list
equipment familiarisation
entry and exit procedures
lost buddy procedure
emergency procedure
go/no-go decision
Q: how do waves form?
A: as the water rolls in, the bottom section gets slowed by the shore while the top moves on faster and forms a wave crest
Q: What can you learn about the underwater from observing surf?
A: how deep or shallow the water is off the coast:
tall waves mean shallow features, like a reef
low waves mean deep water like a canyon
Q: What is rip current?
A: current formed by waves breaking and the water running back out to sea, this current is along the surface
Q: What 10 parameters should you check when planning a shore dive?
accessibility from beach
distance to dive site from beach
compass headings
surf conditions
currents
depth of diving area and bottom composition
water temperature surface and depth
visibility
special hazards
fish, game and misc. regulations
Q: how should you enter surf?
hold hands with your buddy
use free hand to protect mask
look over inside shoulder and shuffle backwards into water
time entry with lull in wave sets
Q: how should you enter from a boat?
if it has a ladder, wait for the boat to dip into a wave trough
if no ladder, do the giant stride
Q: Describe how to use an underwater compass to navigate to and from a sighted object.
get to the depth you want to aim for
then set a direction of travel, using the side window or lubber line
rotate the movable bezel such that the witness marks align with the magnetic needle
to return, flip the direction by 180 degrees
if initial dir was <180: +180
if initial dir was >180: -180
Q: How much does air consumption change with depth
A: it increases linearly with pressure, so at 10m depth, 2x the pressure, volume of gas is 1/2, so each breath uses 2x the gas
Q: how do you calculate how long the gas in your cylinder will last? (given you know your surface air consumption)
A: Take the following variables:
Your surface air consumption (SAC)
Time spent at the bottom (t)
Pressure at bottom (P)
Volume of cylinder (V)
Total gas supply (AC) in bar
should be total - reserve gas
Calculate total gas supply in litres
AC x V (available gas at 1 bar)
The divide the total gas by SAC
t1 = AC x V / SAC
this gives total air time at 1 bar
Then to adjust this to different depths, by dividing the total air time by the pressure a that depth
to = t1 / P
Q: how do you determine air consumption at 1 bar? (referred to as SAC) surface air consumption
A: you do a dive and then from the depth and amount of air used, you can calculate SAC:
SAC = AC x V / (t x P)
AC is air consumed
V is volume of gas tank
Q: calculate gas requirement for a given depth
Needed = SAC x P x t
Q: Explain the purpose of the SSI Total DiveLog and relate its use to the pre- and post-dive planning and recording process.
A: to record your dives, this shows a history of your experiences at diving
also, tracking your air consumptions means you can better plan how much gas to take on a planned dive
Q: What are the requirements for getting the Advanced open Water diver certification?
The Open Water Diver certificate
Any 4 specialty courses
Logging 24 dives
Q: What are the requirements for getting the master diver certification?
(not dive master, which is a professional qualification)
The Advanced Open Water Diver Certification
The Diver Stress and Rescue certification
Logging 50 dives
Q: What extra information should you record in you SSI Logbook beyond what the dive computer tracks? (3)
weights added
exposure system used
air consumption rate
Q: How much of the earth’s surface is water?
A: 72%
Q: How were oceans formed?
From vapours that fell as torrential rain after the earth had cooled
Water dissolved many minerals, leading to its high salinity (3.5%)
Q: List at least three reasons why the world’s ocean waters are critically important to sustaining life on land.
85% of the world’s oxygen comes from marine plants
Fresh water comes from evaporated ocean water falling as rain
The oceans are home to the very start of the global food chain
Q: Describe the process through which coral reefs are formed, and state two reasons why divers should avoid any contact with coral.
By colonies of tiny animals that create limestone structures for protection (called polyps)
Should not be touched because
Even touching may remove some of the polyp’s protective mucous
Also corals may be brittle and become damaged
Q: List at least two types of hard and soft corals.
Hard corals
Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata): very sharp, found in the carribean
Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornes): pointy hard coral
Brain coral (): a whole family of hard corals shaped like brains
Star coral (g. Montastera): a genus of star shaped corals
Fire coral (g. Millepora): has a burning sting
Lettuce Coral (Agarica agaricites): grows in lettuce leaf shaped shelves
Soft corals
Carnation tree (g. Dendronphytha): a tree shaped soft corals
Sea fan (g. Gorgonia): a huge fan shaped soft coral that can reach 3m across. not technically a true coral
Black coral(g. Antipatherians): also thorn corals, have a black chitin skeleton with polyps around it
Red coral (g. Corallium): this is a genus of corals who for bright red hard structures that are used as jewellery
Q: List three common causes for injury to divers by potentially harmful marine life.
Stings from venomous barbed fish, such as the Scorpion fish, Rock fish and Lion fish
Bites from eels if getting too close to their hiding places
Stings from jellyfish (Coelenterata) such as Portugese Man O’War or Sea wasp
Stings from sea urchins or venomous cone snails
Stings from rays
Bites from sharks
Q: Describe three actions divers can take to protect the marine environment while diving.
Maintain neutral buoyancy at all times to avoid damaging things
Keep equipment well secured to avoid littering or damaging marine life with dangling parts
Be a responsible diver
Q: identify four factors that can lead to a panic situation
EQUIPMENT using unfamiliar of poorly fitting equipment
LIMITS comfort and ability: not staying within the limits of your training
BREATHING breathing difficulty: low/no air or inefficient breathing
ENVIRONMENT environmental conditions like hazards, visibility, cold
Q: List ways in which you can identify panic in other divers (6)
ERRATIC: erratic, uncoordinated movement
EYES: wide eyed, fearful look
BREATH: erratic breathing with bubbles exploding from the mouth piece
VERTICAL: vertical orientation in the water with ineffective kicks
FLAILING: flailing arms trying to climb out of the water
SURFACE: difficulty obtaining positive buoyancy at the surface
Q: Describe the appropriate steps a diver should take in response to a panicked diver at depth
locate your alternate air source just in case
approach the diver and look for the source of the problem
face your buddy to get their attention, which may even be enough to calm them
if they are in advanced panic and represent a threat to you, back off until they have calmed down
Q: Describe the appropriate steps a diver should take in response to a panicked diver at the surface
completely fill your bc
calmly talk to your buddy and instruct them to gain neutral buoyancy
if required approach and inflate their bc or detach their weights
help them find the position where breathing is most comfortable
if they grab you, dive below the surface so they let go
never endanger yourself, seek help if needed
Q: List 5 actions a diver can take to avoid panic situations
RRR 3-R: Regain control, respond, react
TRAINING take specialty training for the dives you do
COMFORT do not dive if you feel uncomfortable, fight peer pressure, stay within your training
EQUIPMENT properly maintain your equipment following the SSI equipment service program
CONDITIONS Never add more than one new condition at a time (e.g. Night dive, wreck dive etc.)
Q: What is the guiding principal for reacting to panic situations?
S-BeTA
A: Stop, Breathe, Think, Act
Q: List three possible responses to an out of air emergency and when each response is appropriate
Sharing Air: buddy is close enough
Emergency Swimming Ascent: surface is closer than buddy (max 18m depth)
Emergency Buoyant Ascent: no buddy and surface is too far for a safe ascent
Q: What is the procedure for sharing air?
approach buddy and give make out of air sign followed by air sharing sign
the donor faces the recipient and gives them the primary air supply while switching to their own secondary
each diver places their hand on the others right shoulder
holding bc exaust hose in left hand, they ascend together
Q: What is the procedure for Emergency Swimming Ascent?
if you are less than 18m deep, the Swimming Ascent is the preferred option
look up and exhale in a steady stream to avoid injury
at surface ditch weight and establish positive buoyancy
Q: What is the procedure for Emergency Buoyant Ascent?
if deeper than 18m
release weight system
Ascend with as much control as possible with head up and exhaling continuously
in the last 3-5m try to arch out to slow the ascent
at surface establish positive buoyancy
Q: State the SSI responsible diver code (6)
the pledge to:
LIMITS: dive within my limits
CONDITIONS: evaluate the conditions before every dive and make sure they fit my personal condition
EQUIPMENT: be familiar with and check my equipment before and during each dive
BUDDY: respect the buddy system and its advantages
WELLBEING: accept the responsibility for my own wellbeing on every dive
ENVIRONMENT: be environmentally conscious on every dive
