Scuba Diving Etiquette: How to Avoid Being that Guy (or Gal)

Keeping an eye on everything around you is always a smart way to ensure a safe time for you and your buddies as well as others who are in the water. However, there are certain niceties that go beyond mere technical knowledge and common sense that can make dives fun and safe. With tips for both in and out of the water, here is our diving etiquette guide:

• Don’t kick up the bottom: Want to raise the ire of others diving around you? Want to ruin the visibility for your dive buddy? We are guessing that the answer to these questions is ‘no.’ Avoid kicking up the sea-floor as you swim along the bottom. It ruins the view of others and can disrupt their view of the surroundings which may actually put other divers in danger. 
• Don’t disturb marine life: Those of us who have been diving for some time expect new divers, as well as experienced divers, to respect the coral, animals and other inhabitants of the sea. This is not only a good idea for protecting the environment, it may also protect you as a diver as well. For example, touching certain animals can wound or even kill either you or that animal. Look, but don’t touch.
• Don’t be late: If you have a boat chartered, being late can ruin the plans of everyone in your party. To avoid this, know the exact time your boat will depart and allow for time to put on your gear, fill out paperwork and anything else you may need to do before climbing aboard. 
• Try not to crowd your leader (or anyone else): Avoid getting in the way of your dive leader and other divers by keeping a respectable distance from them. Diving too close to your dive leader or to others is dangerous as it makes it harder for them to navigate. 
• Listen to the professionals: Even if you are not new to diving, you should always listen to the professionals who work at the facility from where you are diving. They will have more knowledge on the conditions under which you will be diving. This knowledge can keep you safe and help make for an enjoyable dive for all. 

Diving is one of the most wonderful experiences there is. You can maximize your enjoyment of this activity by being a courteous and mindful diver. Our private scuba tours in Maui include expert instruction from PADI certified instructors. Moreover, our instructors can keep you from being that guy or gal no one wants to dive with. So, why not book one of our scuba packages in Maui for the New Year.