As divers, we are used to listening to a briefing before each dive, this can result boring and not very useful for some people, but the reality is that it is a fundamental part of diving!
What is a dive briefing?
A briefing, in the world of diving, consists of a brief pre-dive explanation about the dive that is going to be carried out. Generally, following the PADI method, the following 10 points are covered in a good briefing:
- Name of the dive site: sometimes this includes some facts and anecdotes about the place.
- Description of the dive site: includes the topography, depth, conditions (current, visibility, temperature), as well as points of interest or posible dangers.
- Role of the dive guide: it is important to know where he is located, what he will be doing, how to identify him and how to capture his attention.
- Entry and Exit Procedures: We need to clarify entry and exit techniques and points for the dive.
- Dive Procedures: These include where we will go, max depth, air reserve, safety stop, and any special techniques we are going to use.
- Emergency procedures: all divers must know what to do in an emergency (shortness of breath, losing a buddy…). In addition, a procedure must be established to call all divers if necessary.
- Signal review: This way we make sure that the whole group remembers and uses the same underwater signals.
- Buddy Check: Make sure your team is complete, both before and after the dive, and set up a buddy system.
- Orientation about the environment: it is advisable to inform about the environmental characteristics of the dive site (flora and fauna) and remind divers that they must follow the rules of safe diving to minimize the disturbance of the environment.
- Safety check: Remind divers to carry out a pre-dive safety check. To remember everything that we must review, we usually use the acronym BWRAF (BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final Okay)
How can a dive briefing be usefull to me?
The main function of the briefing is to increase safety. This is achieved by giving us information prior to the dive that allows us to get an idea of what we are going to find underwater and what and how we are going to dive.
Also, having protocols in place, especially in emergencies, decreases reaction time, which increases the chances of a successful outcome.
On the other hand, these pre-dive talks help us find points of interest during the dive and enjoy it more while being more relaxed. In addition, knowing more about the dive you are going to do makes it more interesting, since it allows us to see things that on other occasions we would have ignored. Ensuring that all divers know the route, allows us to regroup if necessary.
During the briefing you can also go over signals or any concerns that you have about diving if you haven’t been in the water for a while.