Atlantic Edge Dive Center

1
Welcome

• Atlantic Edge Dive Center
• Refresher Course

Welcome
2
Atlantic Edge Dive Center

• Training
• Equipment
• Service
• Travel
• Let Atlantic Edges super staff be your dive
  consultants!

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
3
Lets Get Started

• Paperwork
• Liability Release
• Scuba concepts, science and theory
• Quiz 1A

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
4
Effects of Increasing Pressure

• Air spaces most affected by increased pressure
  ears, sinuses and mask
• As water pressure increases with descent,volume
  decreases
• If you continue to descend you will feela
  squeeze on your air spaces
• To avoid discomfort
• equalize early and often

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
5
Equalization Techniques

• Equalize every metre/few feet while descending
  before you feel discomfort
• Pinch your nose and blow gently - wiggle your jaw
  
• If you have difficulty equalizing
• Ascend a few feetand attempt to equalize
• Be patient and gentle, or end the dive

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
6
Effects of Decreasing Pressure

• Expanding air can cause lung over expansion
  lung rupture
• Lung over expansion can lead tosevere injuries
  includingparalysis and death
• To avoid this, permit the pressureto equalize -
  breathe normally

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
7
Most Important Rule

• The lungs can be injured by even minimal pressure
  changes if you hold your breath
• Its important to always breathe continuously
  when using scuba - even in shallow water
• The most important rule in scuba diving is to
• Breathe continuouslyand never, never hold
  your breath.

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
8
Decompression Sickness

• Bubbles blocking blood circulation after diving
  is called decompression sickness (DCS)
• Variables Depth, dive time and diver condition
• Use extra caution with age, obesity, lack of
  physical conditioning
• Stay well hydrated
• Dive within the limits of dive tablesand
  computers

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
9
Safety Stops

• A safety stop provides extra time for your body
  to eliminate nitrogen a good idea on any dive
• A safety stop is required if
• The dive is 30 metres/100 feet or deeper
• Within three pressure groupsof a no
  decompression limit
• You reach any limit on theRDP or your computer

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
10
Emergency Decompression

• If a no decompression limit is exceeded by
• 5 minutes or less - ascend to 5 metres/15 feet
  and remain there for 8 minutes, do not dive for
  at least 6 hours
• More than 5 minutes ascend to 5 metres/15 feet
  and remain there for no less than 15 minutes, do
  not dive for 24 hours
• Stay within safe dive limits

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
11
Nitrogen Narcosis

• Nitrogen narcosis
• Impairs a divers judgment and coordination
• May cause a false sense of security
• May cause a disregard for safety
• May cause anxiousness and poor decisions
• Immediately ascend to shallower depths to relieve
  the narcosis

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
12
Flying After Diving

• Flying after diving recommendations
• Wait a minimum surface interval of 12 hours prior
  to ascent to altitude
• If you plan to make daily, multiple dives for
  several days or make dives requiring
  decompression stops, you should wait for an
  extended surface interval beyond 12 hours

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
13
BUOYANCY Positive, Negative NEUTRAL!

• Why?
• Safe on surface
• Streamlined UW
• Protect the environment
• Variables?
• Body weight, size composition
• Equipment
• Water salt v. fresh
• How do you determine your optimal weight
  requirements?
• Fine tune with your breathing!

New Open Water student, perfecting her buoyancy
in Turks and Caicos.
14
Overexertion

• Know your limits and pace yourself to avoid
  breathlessness
• If you experience overexertion symptoms
  underwater - stop all activity, breathe deeply
  and rest
• Hold onto an object for support, if possible, and
  relax until your breathing returns to normal

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
15
Heat Loss Underwater

• Left unchecked, body heat loss can lead to
  hypothermia
• To avoid hypothermia wear exposure protection
  suitable for the environment
• When you begin to shiver continuously get out
  of the water immediately, dry off and seek
  warmth

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
16
Surface Problem Management

• Control or prevent surface problems by
• Diving within limitations
• Relaxing while you dive
• If you have a problem at the surface
  immediately establish positive buoyancy by
  inflating the BCD or dropping weights
• Call for help if needed

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
17
Buddy System / Dive Plan

• Avoid problems
• Agree on entry, exit points and dive objective
• Agree upon time depth limits
• Review communications
• Discuss emergency procedures
• Discuss how to stay together what to do if
  separated
• Search One Minute then Surface!

• A dive plan
• Is simple and should be flexible
• Takes only minutes to discuss
• Can offer plenty of options depending on what you
  find underwater
• Plan your dive and dive your plan!

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
18
Local Wisdom

• To dive in an area for the first time - get an
  orientation to the local area
• The PADI Discover Local Diving experience is one
  way to do this
• Find out
• Whats interesting about the site
• What to watch for
• Unique dive skills or procedures

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
19
Fragile Environment

• Minimize accidental damage
• Swim next to reef rather than above it
• Watch your buoyancy dont dive over weighted
• Turn sideways to look under ledges
• Keep your hoses secured
• Respect all Marine Life!

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
20
Aquatic Animals

• Avoid potential problems with aquatic life
• Treat all animals with respect
• Be cautious in extremely murky water
• Avoid wearing shiny, dangly jewelry
• Remove any speared fish from the water
  immediately
• Wear gloves and an exposure suit
• Maintain neutral buoyancy move slowly and
  carefully
• Avoid contact with unfamiliar animals

Atlantic Edge - Refresher
21
Test Your Knowledge

• Test your understanding of Diving Theory with a
  Quick Quiz
• Quiz 1A

22
Now, Lets Get Wet!

• Pool
• Review the basics
• Check out your gear
• Fine tune your buoyancy
• Review Sticker for logbook
• Nitrox or other Specialties

Atlantic Edge - Refresher