• Always follow the diving rules when planning and executing a dive.diving image by Dubravko Grakalic from Fotolia.com
  
  Diving can be a fun hobby, sports activity or travel leisure adventure. While some divers prefer to stay closer to the surface, others dive several feet down to explore the worlds of the water. Diving too far down or submerging or ascending too fast can be dangerous. There are therefore general rules that divers must follow when entering the waters.
  
  

Get Proper Training

• Before embarking on a diving trip, make sure to get the proper training and certification. While some resorts offer training courses, these courses are not meant for divers who want to go below 30 feet. Keep this in mind when diving in caves, wrecks and other sites. Even if you have a diving certificate, do not dive beyond personal ability or comfort level.
  
  

Check the Equipment

• It is important to check the equipment for faulty parts before embarking on a dive, particularly if renting. If the equipment is personal, always make sure to have it serviced before diving. This also includes the regulator hose. Check the equipment, especially if it has not been used in a while. Finding out that the equipment does not work under water is an experience you don't want to have.
  
  

Do Not Dive Alone

• Never enter the water alone. There should always be a diving buddy at hand no matter where the diving is taking place. The reason for this is pure safety. Always keep an eye out for each other while diving. If something dangerous happens while underwater, having a diving buddy can mean life over death.
  
  

Stick To the Diving Plan

• Before going into the water, plan the dive with your diving buddy. Dive intelligently and think about the air tank and residual nitrogen issues. It is important to stick to the plan so all can dive safely and enjoy the adventure. Staying in the water too long can result in a loss of air, panic and a loss of nitrogen in the body.
  
  

Submerge and Ascend Slowly

• When entering the water, submerge slowly. Your body needs to get used to the water pressure. If you ascend too fast, your body can lose nitrogen, which is in the blood and tissues. You may experience what is also known as decompression sickness. Do not ascend more than 30 feet per minute. It is recommended that divers do a safety stop at 15 feet for at least a couple of minutes before continuing the slow ascent to the surface.
  
  

Relax To Avoid Panic

• The most important rule when diving is this: stay relaxed. Stay relaxed if something happens to the diver, the buddy diver or anything else, such as equipment failure. Do not panic and rush to the surface. This can lead to decompression sickness. Instead, stop and breathe for a minute and evaluate the situation. Then take the action needed.