BUSINESS EDU
The Key to a Great Dive: The Dive Briefing by Christopher P. Weaver & Michael Salvarezza , ecophotoexplorers.com, NY
W E’VE ALL BEEN THERE: Sitting on a dive boat bench while anxiously awaiting permission to enter the water is often accompanied by ex- citement, nervous energy, and occasional trepidation. Perhaps the sun is intense, baking wetsuit-clad divers in tropical heat.
A good dive briefing will start with an introduction to the dive site. Divers want to know where they are, what they are about to see, and what they will explore. Key points to cover include: 1. Name of the dive site 2. Depth and topography Whenever practical, good dive brief- ings should include a drawing of the site. A whiteboard or a pre-printed illustration can be very useful. Indicate on the drawing where the dive will take place and what the general plan will be. If the site is a shipwreck, be sure to talk about the orientation of the wreck and any notable features that divers should look for. Divers love to explore. When introducing the group to the dive site, include something noteworthy, interesting, or funny about the site. For example, a shipwreck usually has some 3. Dive site characteristics (e.g., cur- rents, drop-offs, anticipated visibility, landmarks, etc.)
Maybe the boat is rocking in the swell, and your head is a little dizzy – you just want to get in the water as soon as possible! Many times, it’s a picture-perfect day and the reefs are beckoning…
But there’s one thing standing be- tween you and the dive: the dive brief- ing. Dive often enough and you will experience all types of dive briefings: succinct but effective; perfunctory and inadequate; verbose and boring; entertaining and interesting; and everything in between. All divers can benefit from a good dive briefing. In many ways, the key to a great dive starts before you even leave the
boat. It begins with the dive briefing. Broadly stated, every dive briefing should focus on the following four categories of information: safety; entry, exit and in water procedures; dive site orientation; and points of interest. Let’s take a closer look at how to deliver a valuable dive briefing. What is a dive briefing anyway, and what is its purpose?
kind of story about how it sank and when. Perhaps the divers have the chance to en- counter some interesting type of marine life. This is the time to engage the group with information that grabs their interest, makes them laugh, or makes them eager to begin the dive. Safety The best dive is one from which everyone
A dive briefing is an overview of the dive site and the pro- cedures and protocols that will be used during the dive. All divers, regardless of experience and familiarity with the dive site or the dive boat, should be expected to listen to the briefing. It is important so that all divers on board will know what to expect from the dive. The dive briefing will help orient them to what the dive site will be like, what the plan for the dive will be, what the proper safety considerations are for the dive and what the dive boat’s rules are for the dive. Dive Site Orientation
returns safely. An effective dive briefing must always cover the important aspects of safety that all divers need to know. Different from the boat safety briefing (e.g., where are the life jackets?), which is often covered by the captain, dive guides must share the following: 1. Entry and exit procedures 2. Dive ladder information as every dive boat and dive lad- der is different. Make sure the unique characteristics of the boat and ladder system are discussed. Remind divers of ladder etiquette and describe any rope system details (e.g., trail lines, downlines, etc.)
SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY | 47
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker