Children and Diving

MINORS HAVE BEEN DIVING FOR DECADES, but the incidence of scuba diving injuries among them remains poorly studied. As opposed to most other outdoor recreational activities, the main challenge while […]

I’m Taking This Medication…Can I Dive?

Certain medications can impact your health and/or ability to dive. There are important considerations that need to be made before heading into the water.

Knocked over prescription pill bottle

How Good Is Your Emergency Plan?

Emergency plans are vital and as you prepare, you need to ensure your plan encompasses a variety of scenarios. Good emergency plans reduce feat and anxiety. How good is your plan?

Ambulance rushes off

Freediving Risk Assessments

THE RAPID GROWTH OF FREEDIVING in the U.S. brings a positive light to a sport that is mentally healthy and physically inspiring but has little tolerance for error. Shallow-water blackout […]

consequences of freediving, Rehearse underwater and surface rescue techniques , breath-hold limits, in-water briefing, freediving-specific first aid course, Juan Valdivia, freediving certification, EAP for freediving, certified freedivers, emergency action plan (EAP), respiratory barotrauma when freediving, freediving safety practices, Shallow-water blackout when freediving, Alert Diver magazine Q4 2023

Experience & Risk

Diving experience is incredibly helpful to ward off certain risks. We experience risk in different ways and some ways provide helpful lessons. Read more.

Two divers practice sharing a regulator

What’s That You Say?

Hand signals are critical communication tools for divers. It’s imperative before any dive that buddies understand their preferred signals to avoid any miscommunications or mishaps.

Female diver holds right fist to chest

Optimal Nutrition for Diving 

Scuba diving demands not only physical fitness but also proper nutritional preparation. Like with any activity, we expend energy while diving; surprisingly, the energy required for routine recreational diving is somewhat moderate. Under unusually strenuous recreational conditions, however, it’s possible to burn more than 500 calories. 

A healthy diet is an asset for safe scuba diving as well as a beneficial lifestyle

The Importance of Buoyancy Control

Buoyancy control is imperative for optimal scuba diving safety. While the concepts are simple, masking proper buoyancy control can be difficult. Read more about buoyancy.

Male and female diver pose for a selfie in front of school of silver fish

Diving with a PFO

To clear up any confusion divers may have about patent foramen ovale (PFO), I will share how I explain the condition to patients. 

A surgical solution is a PFO closure, as Dr. Doug Ebersole is performing here.