Welcome
Atlantic Edge Dive Center
Refresher Course
Welcome
Atlantic Edge Dive Center
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Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Training
Equipment
Service
Travel
Let Atlantic Edge’s
super staff be your
dive consultants!
Let’s Get Started
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Paperwork
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Liability Release
Scuba concepts,
science and theory
Quiz 1A
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Effects of Increasing Pressure
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Air spaces most affected by increased pressure –
ears, sinuses and mask
As water pressure increases with descent,
volume decreases
If you continue to descend you will feel
a squeeze on your air spaces
To avoid discomfort –
equalize early and often
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
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Equalization Techniques
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Equalize every metre/few feet while descending
before you feel discomfort
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Pinch your nose and blow gently - wiggle your jaw
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If you have difficulty equalizing
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Ascend a few feet
and attempt to equalize
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Be patient and gentle,
or end the dive
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Effects of Decreasing Pressure
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Expanding air can cause lung over expansion –
lung rupture
Lung over expansion can lead to
severe injuries including
paralysis and death
To avoid this, permit the pressure
to equalize - breathe normally
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Most Important Rule
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The lungs can be injured by even minimal pressure
changes if you hold your breath
It’s important to always breathe continuously when
using scuba - even in shallow water
The most important rule in scuba diving is to
“Breathe continuously
and never, never
hold your breath”.
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Decompression Sickness
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Bubbles blocking blood circulation after diving is
called decompression sickness (DCS)
Variables: Depth, dive time and diver condition
Use extra caution with: age, obesity, lack of physical
conditioning
Stay well hydrated
Dive within the limits of dive tables
and computers
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Safety Stops
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A safety stop provides extra time for your body to
eliminate nitrogen – a good idea on any dive
A safety stop is required if:
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The dive is 30 metres/100 feet or deeper
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Within three pressure groups
of a no decompression limit
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You reach any limit on the
RDP or your computer
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Nitrogen Narcosis
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Nitrogen narcosis:
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Impairs a diver’s judgment and coordination
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May cause a false sense of security
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May cause a disregard for safety
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May cause anxiousness and poor decisions
Immediately ascend to shallower depths to
relieve the narcosis
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Flying After Diving
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Flying after diving recommendations:
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Wait a minimum surface interval of 12 hours prior
to ascent to altitude
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If you plan to make daily, multiple dives for
several days or make dives requiring
decompression stops, you should wait for an
extended surface interval beyond 12 hours
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
BUOYANCY: Positive, Negative & NEUTRAL!
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Why?
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Variables?
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Safe on surface
Streamlined UW
Protect the environment
Body weight, size &
composition
Equipment
Water: salt v. fresh
How do you determine your
optimal weight requirements?
Fine tune with your breathing!
New Open Water student,
perfecting her buoyancy in Turks
and Caicos.
Overexertion
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Know your limits and pace yourself to avoid
breathlessness
If you experience overexertion symptoms underwater
- stop all activity, breathe deeply and rest
Hold onto an object for support, if possible, and relax
until your breathing returns to normal
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Heat Loss Underwater
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Left unchecked, body heat loss can lead to hypothermia
To avoid hypothermia – wear exposure protection
for the environment
When you begin to shiver continuously –
get out of the water immediately,
dry off and seek warmth
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
suitable
Surface Problem Management
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Control or prevent surface problems by:
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Diving within limitations
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Relaxing while you dive
If you have a problem at the surface –
immediately establish positive buoyancy
by inflating the BCD or dropping weights
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Call for help if needed
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Buddy System / Dive Plan
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Avoid problems :
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A dive plan:
Agree on entry, exit points and
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Is simple and should be flexible
dive objective
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Takes only minutes to discuss
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Agree upon time & depth limits
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Can offer plenty of options
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Review communications
depending on what you find
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Discuss emergency procedures
underwater
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Discuss how to stay together &
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what to do if separated…
… Search One Minute then Surface!
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
… Plan your dive and dive your plan!
Local Wisdom
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To dive in an area for the first time - get an
orientation to the local area
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The PADI Discover Local Diving experience is one
way to do this
Find out:
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What’s interesting about the site
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What to watch for
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Unique dive skills or procedures
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Fragile Environment
Minimize accidental damage :
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Swim next to reef rather than above it
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Watch your buoyancy – don’t dive over weighted
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Turn sideways to look under ledges
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Keep your hoses secured
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Respect all Marine Life!
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Aquatic Animals
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Avoid potential problems with aquatic life:
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Treat all animals with respect
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Be cautious in extremely murky water
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Avoid wearing shiny, dangly jewelry
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Remove any speared fish from the water immediately
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Wear gloves and an exposure suit
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Maintain neutral buoyancy – move slowly and carefully
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Avoid contact with unfamiliar animals
Atlantic Edge - Refresher
Test Your Knowledge
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Test your
understanding of
Diving Theory with a
Quick Quiz
Quiz 1A
Now, Let’s Get Wet!
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Pool
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Review the basics
Check out your gear
Fine tune your
buoyancy
Review Sticker for
logbook
Nitrox or other
Specialties
Atlantic Edge - Refresher