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Depending on the location, most sportdivers do diving either on boats or enter the water from a shore. Underwater reefs and views are not located closely on shores so most divers ride on boats in going to places they want to dive.
Before going into the water,divers first plan on up to what depth and amount of time they're supposed to spend underwater. They also first make sure that they've brought with them properly functioning equipment. These includes buoyancy compensators and weight systems to balance their being afloat, fins for rapid movement, masks for vision and air tanks and regulators for breathing. To know their location, they also use depth and pressure gauges. A wet suit for protection and another oxygen source for emergencies are also necessary.
Once the divers are done checking,they then plunge into the water while at least one person stays on the boat. To warn other boaters that there are people underwater, they use red flags having white diagonal slashes in them. The divers are also supposed to swim at depths less than 130 ft.
Upon entering the water,water pressure surrounding the divers increases, so they feel unusual squeezes on their ears and noses. To relieve it,they hold their noses and give a gentle blow. This method is known as equalization. The depth and length of time on which the divers explore is based on many factors. Most people use up more amount of air as they go deeper so if a diver goes on shallower depths, he would explore longer. Other basis includes the diver's physical condition, experience underwater and way of life. The average depth that a sport diver can go through is about 40 ft. within 45 min. to an hour.
Once it's time to go back, the divers slowly go up the water to prevent health risks like air embolisms and suffocation. Other possible injuries could include running out of air supply, being ran over by boats and inhaling polluted water. In ascending,divers must at least go up at a rate of 60 ft. per minute. They must be careful in either the amount of time that they either ascend or descend. As they go on a dive, air pressure around the divers starts to compress. This way, nitrogen starts to form inside their body tissues in the shape of bubbles. Once they go down deep enough and just ascend too quickly, the nitrogen remains inside their body. This could be dangerous to the divers' health and can even be fatal. To avoid further risks, divers have to ascend slowly, giving time for the nitrogen inside their body to go out. Medical help should also be sought once this health risk called decompression sickness is felt.
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