The Golden Rules of Scuba Diving

We may be biased, but exploring the underwater world is the most fun experience on the planet. Even so, we, as scuba divers, need to follow a few rules that will keep us safe and make sure ensure that the only surprises we encounter are good ones.

Whether you want beginner scuba diving tips or you’re a seasoned diver looking for a recap of safe diving practices, this list summarizes the golden rules of scuba diving.

A scuba diver ascends and exhales bubbles that show they're not holding their breath, one of the safety rules of scuba diving

The first rule of scuba diving is to breathe continuously and never hold your breath. The effects of water pressure mean the air inside your lungs expands when you ascend, and not releasing it can cause lung injuries. Keep breathing normally throughout your dive, and you’ll also feel calmer and use less gas than if you hold your breath.

Learn About Diving Physics

A diver wearing a dive computer uses a map, tablet, and mobile app to plan a dive that follows diving rules and regulations

Even if you’re following the lead of a PADI Professional, thinking about your dive plan is the first step to a safe and enjoyable adventure. For instance, it helps you prepare physically and mentally by:

Always plan the dive within no-decompression limits using a dive computer or dive tables. Consider the Rule of Thirds for breathing gas management. Above all, stick to the mantra, “Plan the dive, dive the plan.”

Learn How to Plan Multilevel Dives

Two UK drysuit divers enter the water who know to always dive within your training experience and stay within your limits

A little challenge can be rewarding, but pushing yourself too far is more likely to create problems. There are some hard-and-fast scuba diving rules, such as to stay within the maximum depth limits you’re certified for and whether you’re qualified to do specialist diving, such as ice diving. Otherwise, limits are personal and might change from day to day, depending on things like how recently you’ve dived and if you’ve got experience in the type of diving, location, or conditions.

Familiarize Yourself With Local Diving

A scuba diver ascends after making a safety stop, one of the rules of diving to control your ascent rate and reduce nitrogen

One of the basic rules of scuba diving is to practice safe ascents. This reduces the risk of decompression sickness (DCS), aka “the bends“. Firstly, be a SAFE Diver: Slowly Ascend From Every Dive at a rate of no faster than 18 meters /60 feet per minute. Then, as an extra precaution for recreational diving, make a safety stop at 5 meters/15 feet for at least three minutes (technical diving generally calls for additional stops).

Learn How to Dive Deeper

Two hands attach a regulator to the tank before checking the gear works properly, which is one of the rules of scuba diving

As your lifeline underwater, you should check your scuba equipment thoroughly before each dive. For example:

Although rare, it can be dangerous if dive gear malfunctions underwater, so this is another scuba rule you must not ignore.

Become an Equipment Specialist

Practicing and honing your buoyancy skills and weighting makes for safer, happier diving. You’ll be able to control your ascents and descents, hover motionlessly, and glide effortlessly through the water. Moreover, correctly adjusting your buoyancy for the depth and conditions helps you conserve gas and avoid damaging marine life.

Master Your Peak Performance Buoyancy

Three female scuba divers preparing their gear on a dive boat together and who know you should always dive with a buddy

A shared dive is a safe dive. No matter how experienced you are, never dive without a buddy. We use the buddy system to reduce risk and help in an emergency, but your buddy can also assist with navigation, using equipment, and fish identification. Of course, it’s not just about rules in diving; having a buddy means you’ve got someone else to share your unfiltered, epic adventures with!

If you want to share your passion with the people you care most about, then convert your friends into divers and embark on a new buddy adventure together. Invite your friends to learn how to dive with 15% off the Open Water Diver eLearning course and get a free 30-day PADI Club™ trial membership when you refer a friend.

Refer a Friend

A scuba diver checks their SPG because they know the golden rules of scuba diving include monitoring their gauges or computer

Using dive watches, submersible pressure gauges (SPGs), and/or dive computers allows us to monitor vital dive stats, including depth, gas, and bottom time. This helps us maintain our dive plan and avoid sticky situations, like running low on gas. Factors such as depth, temperature, and exertion can all affect gas consumption, which is why the safety rules of scuba diving include checking your gauges or computer every few minutes to prevent surprises.

Learn How to Monitor Enriched Air (Nitrox)

A silhouetted diver on the beach keeps fit before diving by doing yoga and knows you should never dive when tired or cold

As a diver, you might be carrying heavy gear, learning new skills, or encountering currents. Support a healthy body and mind by following these essential scuba diving guidelines, and you’ll be better placed to handle any mental and physical demands.

Try to dive regularly so that your dive skills stay fit, too. You might benefit from additional training or, if it’s been a while since your last dive, a quick scuba diving refresher.

ReActivate Your Scuba Skills

A cardinal diving safety rule is to equalize often when descending to prevent ear barotrauma. If you’re struggling to “clear your ears”, tell your buddy, ascend slightly, then try again. If that still doesn’t work, end the dive; never continue descending if your ears are hurting, as it may lead to long-term damage.

Learn About Diving Physiology

An aircraft takes off and climbs to altitude, and why scuba diving and flying rules recommend a 12-24 hour surface interval

With countless incredible dive destinations to explore, we must bear in mind the rules for diving and flying. Because of how residual nitrogen in our bodies responds to the rapid pressure change during a flight at altitude, flying after diving can lead to decompression sickness. As such, the recommendation is to wait 12 to 24 hours before flying after any dive.

Learn About Diving and Altitudes

Two divers use BWRAF to practice vital skills and hand signals, recap the scuba rule of thirds, and do other pre-dive checks

A pre-dive check (or “buddy check”) is the best way to catch and prevent potential issues before a dive. With your buddy, you can:

Test your equipment works properly (and that your gas is “on”) Review your dive plan and emergency procedures Familiarize yourself with your buddy’s gear Recap or learn dive signals you’ll use together

Whether you follow “BWRAF” or another checklist, one of the top rules in scuba diving is to complete your pre-dive checks before every dive.

Become a Better Dive Buddy

A scuba diver photographs a turtle from a distance as they know that underwater diving rules say to never touch marine life

This is arguably the most important rule of scuba diving for ocean conservation: do not touch marine life. Reef ecosystems are fragile, and even the lightest touch can be harmful. Secondly, you might get a painful bite, burn, or sting if you disturb toxic critters. Instead, appreciate marine wildlife from a safe distance and capture your memories with photos and videos.

Learn Underwater Photography

Finally, and perhaps the most important rule of scuba diving, is to make sure you’re certified for the diving you plan to do. That way, you’ll know the correct techniques and diving rules, as well as equipment skills to manage conditions safely.

Getting certified could mean learning scuba fundamentals in the Open Water Diver course or developing your underwater abilities and interests with PADI Specialty courses, such as Night Diver, Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver, or Wreck Diver. Why not plan your next course today?

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