Ideal planning for a successful recreational dive

A successful dive begins before you enter the water, with careful planning that considers both safety and enjoyment.

Choosing the dive site

Site-selection criteria
Choose a site suited to your level and check the weather, tide, and expected currents that day.

Planning with your buddy

Agree with your buddy on target depths, dive time, underwater communication signals, and the emergency plan.

Setting dive goals

• Is the goal to see a specific site?
• Do you want photography or just enjoyment?
• What is the expected visibility underwater?

Managing air on the dive

The rule of thirds
Use one third of the air to go out, one third to return, and keep the last third for emergencies.

Review points during the dive

• Check the air gauge every five minutes
• Check your position and your buddy continuously
• Start the ascent when air reaches 50 bar, whatever the time

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A well-planned dive is a dive that makes you want to dive again.