When you sign up for Open Water Diver Certification, there will be some self-study to do ahead of time. SSI (Scuba Schools International) provides it online. SSI is the certifying organization associated with Diventures.
The Self Study Content
Topics covered include:
- Physics of diving and body responses
- Diving gear
- Dive planning and safety rules
- Environmental awareness
Pressure Equalization
Scuba diving comes with risks, particularly related to pressure changes and breathing. One of the most common injuries divers face is related to pressure equalization, or rather, the failure to equalize pressure. Increases in pressure can affect air spaces within the body, like the ears, sinuses, and lungs. You can experience tissue damage due to pressure differences if you fail to equalize pressure.
Pressure equalization is vital for more than just ears and lungs. Divers must equalize sinus and mask pressure to avoid squeezes. Be sure to practice the techniques you learn. I experienced sinus squeeze due to an sinus infection I didn’t know I had. Sinus squeeze is very painful, but I was able to reduce the pain quickly due to what I learned in the class.
Learn Correct Breathing
Breathing patterns are crucial for preventing diving injuries. Proper techniques manage buoyancy and avoid lung overexpansion. Rapid ascent without exhaling can cause pulmonary barotrauma, damaging lung tissue or causing air embolisms. Continuous, controlled breathing maintains buoyancy and manages lung pressure. You should never hold your breath.
Preventing scuba diving injuries depends on understanding pressure equalization and breathing patterns. Dive courses focus on these principles and the body’s responses underwater. Mastering these techniques improves safety and enhances the diving experience. The diving community is great at sharing knowledge to keep diving safe and exciting globally.
Your Responsibility
When you choose to go diving, you choose to participate in an activity that is interactive with others. You need to dive with a buddy to ensure help if something goes wrong. Your responsibility is to be able to provide that help if the person in trouble is your dive buddy. Skimping on your study is not just about you but about every single person you may dive with in the future. Don’t do it.
