Divers Sea Safety Advice

Diving is a fantastic leisure pursuit but it isn’t without its hazards and there are many things to consider before entering the water.

Of particular imporance is knowing what form of communication will be used whilst engaging in various diving activities. Whether it’s wreck diving, drift diving or shore diving, the very nature of each involve transporting divers away from the shore, often into areas with limited or no mobile coverage.

The best option is a VHF Radio as these are absolutely indispensable for ensuring prompt communucation and assistance in emergency situations. The ability to contact the Coastguard quickly can be a matter of life or death, especially in cases with decompression illness or when a diver goes missing.

When the worst occurs, VHF Radios enable instant communication with the Coastguard as well as other vessels. They are also waterproof and significantly more reliable over great distances at sea than mobile phones.

Owning and skilfully using a VHF Radio is not only crucial but a legally mandated safety skill for divers operating along the British coast. To operate a VHF Radio you will need to hold a SRC (Short Range Certificate) as well as a licence for the radio set from Ofcom is necessary when used in the United Kingdom.

What are the numerous safety benefits to owning and operating a VHF Radio?

• Conducting safety checks with shore-side support
• Notifying the Coastguard of dive plans and accessing information on hyperbaric chambers
• Communicating with lifeboats and other vessels during emergencies
• Coordinating with helicopters for airlifting divers to hyperbaric chambers
• Receiving up-to-date marine weather forecasts
• Assisting in navigation if lost at sea
• Coordinating dive operations with other vessels
• Monitoring VHF Radio traffic related to ship movements
• Facilitating divers’ tracking and pickup using available technology
• Receiving radio-medical advice from the Coastguard