One of the main rules of scuba diving is to look but not touch anything. Any good dive briefing always includes a reminder not to touch, tease or take anything from the fragile marine environment.

Why? For two reasons. The first one is because of preservation. It can badly damage marine life and disrupt the marine ecosystem’s balance.

The second reason is that touching underwater creatures and corals can not only harm them but us as well. Many marine animals can injure a diver if alarmed, disturbed or aggravated, and having basic first aid knowledge can help if an injury occurs.

From vibrant poisonous fire coral to the beautiful but venomous lionfish, from poisonous molluscs to all manner of stonefish, scorpionfish, sea snakes, urchins and jellyfish. Even if divers are careful, there is always a risk of injury when we are in their environment.

As with many adventurous sports, there are risks involved, and we need to know how to handle potential injuries. Good fundamental diving skills, proper risk management, and first aid knowledge can be crucial in avoiding harmful situations altogether or at least limiting the damage when an injury occurs.

First Aid needs to happen quickly, so you can limit the damage done from an accident and hopefully prevent further deterioration until medical help arrives.

INCREASES SAFETY IN THE WATER

First aid training is based on prevention. We have all heard: better to be safe than sorry. Having a working knowledge of first aid will make it safer for yourself and your fellow divers by encouraging them to be more alert to their surroundings and dive conditions. A strong understanding of basic first aid means that you’ll be confident in your skills and abilities when administering first aid.

Awareness is a great way to prevent accidents because if divers are more aware of dangers, they are more vigilant when in the water, and first aid may be avoided altogether!

HELPS PREVENT FURTHER INJURY

Knowing first aid procedures enables a healthy and safe environment for divers and marine animals. In some situations, if a person doesn’t receive basic life support and first aid immediately, their situation could deteriorate. By providing basic care, you can stabilise a patient until medical services arrive, significantly improving their chances of survival.

Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills you need to assist in emergencies by completing first aid training with PADI RTO. The course provides comprehensive training, which will equip you with the skills and knowledge to handle a wide range of situations and give you the confidence to deal with them quickly, correctly, and efficiently. With PADI RTO Trainers located Australia-wide, there’s no need to wait.

 

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