Dive Health
Diving can be dangerous, but you can mitigate many of the risks by following a few simple rules. These include taking care of yourself, inside and out.
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Motion Sickness
Boating Tip
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Battle Sea Sickness
Triptone®, an over-the-counter dimenhydrinate formula, and Wave Bands™ acupressure wrist bands are two safe and easy ways to prevent and alleviate motion sickness.
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• Eat lightly and avoid alcohol while traveling or boating.
• If nausea or dizziness set-in while aboard a boat or plane, move to the center where it is usually more stable.
• Put your eyes and inner ear in sync: move to the top deck of a boat or ship and look out at the horizon.
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Hydration
Dive Health
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Hydration
Diving is dehydrating – especially in tropical heat. Dehydration contributes to decompression sickness, fatigue and cardiovascular stress. To make up for water lost while diving, drink a gallon of water each day.
An Aquamira® Water Bottle & Filter is essential in locales where the water tastes bad or clean drinking water is not readily available. To use, simply fill the bottle with water, insert the filter and squeeze to drink.
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Safety
About Dive Flags
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Divers' Flag
A rectangular red flag with a white diagonal stripe is required on state waters.
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Alfa Flag
A blue and white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag), at least 3.3 feet (one meter) high and visible from all directions, must be displayed on vessels on federally controlled waters.
Boat Operator Tip
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As a boat operator you should:
• Be able to recognize a “diver down” flag, a bright red flag with a diagonal white stripe, floating in divers’ areas.
• Stay the legal distance from a diver down flag. The law varies by state so check with your local authorities.
• Be on the lookout for bubbles breaking the water’s surface. There may be divers below who have strayed from their marked diving area.
When diving from a boat, remember:
• Always display the diver down flag from your dive raft or buoy.
• Carry a whistle to alert boaters of your presence and to warn fellow divers of hazards.
• Have at least one person remain on the boat as an observer or in case of emergency.