Boat Diving Tips

When you dive from a boat, you will have some of the most exciting experiences ever.  Spectacular sites of kelp forests, amazing reefs, sea creatures and unusual fish.  The best part of boat diving is that it is much more enjoyable and effortless compared to doing a shore dive.

Boat diving only takes a little common sense that will go a long way and will make your trip an enjoyable event. 

The key to boat diving is to understand its procedures, challenges and risks. To avoid any problems all you need to do is follow a few good rules, just like you would on any dive. Being prepared is the key to a great boat diving experience.

Following these simple tips will make you look like a pro your first time out.

Plan your dive and dive your plan:  This is important to do with your dive buddy prior to your trip.  Once you are on the boat the dive master will give you a briefing of the dive site and tell you what the typical conditions are and what you can expect to see. Based on this briefing, you can decide what change you may want to make to your dive plan.  Be sure to take a compass bearing on the direction you plan to head from the boat, so you can safely return on its reciprocal heading. You may want to use the anchor line, as it is a great point of reference. If there is a current, begin your dive swimming against the current so you can end your dive using the current on your return to the boat.

Check with the crew before you board:  Don't board the vessel until you are told or have received permission. Ask what to do if you don't know.

Departure Time: For a day charter boat you’ll want to arrive at least 45 - 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure so you have time to find parking, take time to make sure you have all of your gear stowed in a dive bag and have time to prepare and store your equipment on the boat.

Remember there will always be those late arrivals that the rest of the divers will not be happy to see since they end up causing delays while they get their equipment secured.  So arrival early and be conscientious, your dive will be less stressful and more enjoyable.

Prepare your gear in advance:  Start by asking where and how to stow your gear.  Then set-up you’re BC, tank and regulator, at a designated tank station.  This should be done as soon as you board and prior to the boat leaving the dock. If you ever try to do it when the boat is underway you well quickly understand the importance of preparing your gear before departure and you may end up with a few bruises to remind you of your lack of preparedness. 

Secure your tank to a dive station:  Never leave your tank unsecured, especially after a dive or after it has been re-filled. A dropped tank can cause a broken toe or other injury.

Keep your dive weights and weight-belts safe: By placing them on the floor, next to your tank or under a seat, it will prevent them from falling on anyone’s feet.  Many divers will wrap them around their tank and secure them together.

Stow your gear and put it in the proper place: Place your unused gear underneath the seating area near your tank station since you don’t want to trip over your gear bag or anyone else’s.  Be sure that you keep items that must remain dry in a separate area such as on a bunk.

Sign-in:  Once you have stowed your gear be sure to sign-in and have your C card with you so you can write your student number into the sign in log and for the crew to be able to verify your rating.

Be sure to use sunscreen:  You will be out in the sun and weather for a long period of time so be sure that you bring a good sunscreen with you.  It should be a minimum of 15, although a 30 is better.  Use it frequently and if in doubt check with your dive buddy to see if you’re turning red.

Paperwork and ID: Be sure you have your C-card with you, the dive boat operator will need to see it and will also have you sign a waiver/liability form. Sometimes you may need to show a second form of picture ID and if you are a newer diver have your dive logbook handy for the crew’s verification of your experience level.

Be prepared before you leave: Be sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before, drink plenty of water, and eat solid foods.  Be sure to stay away from greasy or sweet foods.

If you have been seasick in the past, take your medication the night before and again on the morning of your trip since it needs to work into you system to work well. If you don’t know if you get seasick and have never been on a boat pick-up some motion sickness medication, checking to look for medications that won’t make you drowsy.

Follow the captain's/crew’s instructions: Everyone’s safety is in their hands.  When they describe the boat’s safety features and equipment, the location of the head, the galley and emergency procedures for the boat pay attention since it is for your safety. It’s important to know where everything is and how to handle yourself in any given situation.

Roll call:  Expect that a roll call will be called prior to leaving, including a boat briefing, a dive briefing, and there usually will be an after dive roll call and briefing.

Gearing up:  Begin gearing up, with your buddy, as soon as the dive master directs you.  Be sure to listen to their directions so you don’t make any mistakes and aren’t left behind when others are getting in the water.

Keeping your balance:  Leave one hand free to keep yourself steady and balanced when you are preparing to exit the boat. You never know when the boat will bounce or rock and you don’t want to end up in the wrong place.

Walking with fins:  It is difficult enough to walk in fins when you’re shore diving, and even more difficult on a boat, so wait until you are close to the entry point prior to placing your fins on your feet.

Entering the water:  If you aren’t sure how to enter the water, which ladder to use when you are ready to climb back into the boat, or you need help with your gear, don’t be afraid to ask a crew member, that’s what they are there for.

Exiting the water:  Wait your turn and give your fellow divers room to remove their fins and gear if they need to prior to moving up to the dive step or ladder.  Be ready to hand up your fins to a crewmember and your tank if you are too tired to climb in.  It will help to hand your fins heal first, place a little air in your BC, to help it float, and turn your BC around so it can be grabbed from the backside prior to climbing in.

Staying warm: When diving you will want to wear the appropriate wet or dry suit for the water conditions you are diving in.  Have a towel handy to dry off, and if necessary, strip off the top portion of your wet suit and warm-up in your shirt or jacket.  Have a hat handy to help keep you warm since the majority of your bodies’ heat escapes from your head.

Losing the boat:  If you ever surface and can’t find the boat, stay calm, fully inflate your BC and elevate your head to scan 360 degrees around you. If you have a safety sausage or whistle that you brought with you use it.  Remember after every dive they will do a roll call and realize you’re missing and be looking for you and your buddy.

Always bring cash: Dive boats always have a galley and lots of food to sell to divers.  And remember that the crew has been providing you a service, usually many times better than when you go out to eat, so be sure to tip them when the trip is over.  A good tip should be at least 15 – 20% of the cost of the trip.