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.

Enhance dive safety with in-water signalling devices and floats—explore their types, uses, and benefits in this essential guide for divers.

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.

Ensure safe dives with regular medical checks—learn why they matter, when to get them, and how they help prevent underwater emergencies.

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

Discover essential tips for older divers on staying fit, managing health concerns, and diving safely to enjoy the underwater world at any age.

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.

Ensure dive safety with regular SCUBA tank inspections—learn why they matter, how often they’re required, and how to keep your tank in top condition

Overview safe surfacing techniques to prevent decompression sickness and barotrauma — review best practices for a controlled ascent in this essential diving guide.

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

Learn how to prevent shallow-water blackout, a silent danger in freediving and spearfishing, with essential safety tips and prevention strategies.

Enhance dive safety and enjoyment with the buddy system—learn how to communicate, stay close, and assist each other in underwater emergencies.

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.

Ensure a safe dive trip by checking your vessel's seaworthiness—learn essential pre-trip inspections for fuel, bilge pumps, steering, and anchoring systems.

Learn essential vessel speed rules and best practices to protect divers, avoid accidents, and ensure safe navigation near dive sites.

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

Check wind, swell, and tides before diving—learn how weather impacts dive safety and how to plan for optimal conditions.