Divers Alert Network

The Fourth of July holiday weekend is one of the busiest times of year for boating traffic in the U.S. 🌊🚤

When diving, take steps to stay visible to vessels:
• Follow briefings and boat procedures, including instructions for entering and exiting the water.
• Stay clear of propellers, even when they’re disengaged.
• Fly a diver-down flag and/or alpha flag, and surface within the required proximity. (Check and comply with local regulations.)
• Scan for boat traffic before surfacing, and consider deploying a SMB.

Preventing propeller and vessel strikes requires proactive awareness from both divers and boaters. Learn more at dan.org/safe-boating-guidelines.

Preventing barotrauma requires proper technique and awareness of your body's limits.👂

• Equalize Early and Often: Equalize your ears constantly — as frequently as every two feet during a slow descent.

• ⁠Never Dive Congested: Avoid diving when you have a cold, allergies, or upper respiratory infections. (And avoid relying on decongestants to dive: the rebound effect of the medication wearing off at depth can lead to a reverse block while ascending.)

• ⁠Do Not Force Equalization: Forceful equalization can cause barotrauma.

• ⁠Keep Outer Ears Clear: Ensure your hood is not creating a trapped, unvented air space, and avoid using earplugs.