Survive the Dive
Reference Topics

Alcohol and recreational drugs impair judgment, coordination, and physical function, posing significant risks to diving safety, including increased likelihood of accidents and decompression sickness.

Guidelines for anchor rode set-up, deployment, retrieval and jettisoning

Essential hand-signals for dive activity supervisors brief description of float use.

An emergencies overview of burn injury treatment and hazards identification specific to boating.

Dive flags and regulations with the purpose of protecting vulnerable divers and swimmers in water must be observed by skippers.

Dive flags are essential safety tools that alert others to divers in the water. This guide covers the types of dive flags used in New Zealand, their legal requirements, and best practices for safe diving.

How to plan the dive so you enjoy the dive and Survive the Dive

Proper safety equipment on dive vessels, including lifejackets, communication devices, first aid kits, and dive flags, is essential to ensure the safety of divers and crew in any emergency situation.

Diver refresher courses are essential for maintaining skills, boosting confidence, and ensuring safety for both new and experienced divers.

A concise guide to dropping off, retrieving and assisting divers in and out of the water.

Best communication devices to be carried on all vessels. Includes VHF radios, EPIRBs and considerations for phones

Learn essential tips for cleaning dive gear, from rinsing regulators and wetsuits to preventing corrosion, ensuring reliability, and extending your equipment's lifespan.

All vessels should carry a first aid kit. Get yours sorted with this simple guide.

Additional essential boating equipment listed plus Safer Boating Forum video on basic boat maintenance.

Diver fitness is crucial for ensuring safety, improving air consumption, and reducing the risk of decompression sickness, making every dive safer and more enjoyable.

Heat exhaustion can be a problem in New Zealand. Learn about the signs and treatment of hyperthermia.

Prolonged exposure to cold weather and water can be life-threatening. Learn the steps to take to treat hypothermia.

A summary of introductory to expert dive courses plus minimum age requirements for diver training in New Zealand, including Open Water and Advanced certifications.

Overview of lifejacket rules and recommendations for use plus links to detailed lifejacket guidance via Maritime NZ

How to make a MayDay call.

Brief description on non-electronic communication devices and simple guidance of their use.

Regular equipment servicing is essential to ensure that your gear is functioning correctly and safely. Properly maintained equipment not only enhances your overall diving experience but also significantly reduces the risk of malfunctions that could lead to accidents or death. 

Concise step-by-step for responding to three dive emergencies

A brief overview of the essential rules of the road, as they apply boats operating in New Zealand.

While the only sure treatment for seasickness is sitting under a tree there is a few approaches we can take to help.

A quick overview of the treatment of fish-hook injuries.

The simple task of posting a trip-report may be the difference between help coming quickly or not at all.

A quick overview of the environmental factors that must be considered in dive planning.