Diving within the limits of my ability and training

As a Responsible Diver, I understand…
- My certification card qualifies me to engage in diving activities consistent with my training   and experience
- The importance of continuing my diving education in the form of supervised activities and   training, such as night diving and deep diving specialities
- The need to keep proficient in my diving skills and to refresh them under supervision if I  have not been diving recently
- There are no limits to what I can learn about diving. The more I know, the safer I’ll be
- My maximum depth should be limited to my level of training and experience
- I must have training in the proper use of equipment
- The value of getting specific training in the proper use and application of specialized   equipment, such as dry suits and computers

Evaluating the conditions before every dive and making
sure they fit my personal capabilities

As a Responsible diver, I recognize…
- The need for being familiar with my dive sites and the importance of getting a formal   orientation to unfamiliar dive sites from a knowledgeable local source
- The dangers of overhead environments (caves, wrecks, etc.) and will seek specialized   training before doing such diving
- I should postpone my dive, or choose an alternate site, if I evaluate the dive sites   conditions as being more difficult than my experience and training level
- I should use a surface support station, such as a boat or a float, whenever feasible

Being familiar with and checking my equipment before and during every dive

As a Responsible Diver, I understand…
- That simply owning my equipment does not give me the knowledge and ability to dive   safely.
- I must have training in the use of my equipment.
- I should maintain comfort in the use of my equipment through practice.
- My equipment must be equal to the type of diving I will be doing.
- I need to check that my equipment is operating properly before each dive.
- My equipment must be treated with respect and properly maintained.
- My equipment must be serviced according to manufacturers’ standards by a   factory- authorized service technician or certified scuba cylinder visual inspector
- I must follow manufacturers’ recommendations on the use of my equipment and must not   modify it to perform in a way not intended by its maker
- I must use only the breathing gas specified for use by the manufacturer of my life support   equipment
- The importance of being able to easily release my weights if in distress
- The value of an alternate air source and low-pressure buoyancy control inflation system
- How to adjust my weights for neutral buoyancy at the surface with no air in my buoyancy   control device

Respecting the buddy system and its advantages

As a Responsible Diver, I recognize…
- I need to keep my diving emergency response skills sharp through practice and mental   role-playing
- The importance of planning my dives with my buddy, including communications, procedures   for reuniting if separated and emergency procedures
- Diving the plan, which my buddy and I agreed to follow helps provide a safe dive
- I should always deny the use of my equipment to uncertified divers

Accepting the responsibility
for my own safety on every dive

As a Responsible Diver, I know…
- The importance of maintaining good mental and physical fitness for diving
- I must not dive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Postponing the dive is the correct action if I am suffering from a cold, hangover, flu or other   health deficiency that may cause complications
- To be watchful for and avoid overexertion
- Diving will be safer if I listen carefully to dive briefings and respect the advice of those   overseeing my diving activities
- The operators I dive with are not responsible for my decisions and actions
- I should be proficient in dive table use and make all dives no-required decompression   dives, allowing for a margin of safety, ascending no faster than 60 feet / 18 meters per   minute and making a safety stop at the end of every dive
- To always breathe continuously while diving and never skip breathe or hold my breath.
- Proper buoyancy should be maintained at all times – buoyant for surface swimming, neutral   while swimming underwater

Being environmentally conscious on every dive

As a Responsible Diver, I…
- Am careful about what I touch underwater
- Do not break plants or coral or collect “souvenirs”
- Do not feed or handle fish
- Respect laws on size and limits for game
- Collect and dispose of trash I find while diving
- Let dive buddies, resorts and dive operators know how I feel about environmental   responsibility
- Never dive in a manner that would hurt the environment

The resorts and operators I dive with
- Use mooring buoys whenever available or anchor in areas free of live bottoms
- Give thorough environmental briefings to divers before they enter the water
- Contains photo-processing chemicals for proper disposal
- Dispose of trash responsibility
- Uphold environmental regulations and game limits.