Torch safety
One thing few dive centres train divers on is torch safety. This can sometimes lead to tragedy. The basic rules, as agreed by Navy divers during world war two, are easy to master:
Don't make a light-dependent dive unless you're formally trained in the appropriate specialised techniques. This means both you and your dive-buddy at the very minimum should know how to dive in the dark, signal and check dive time in dark conditions.
Always carry at least two lights - one for primary use, the other as back-up. But remember that back-up lights are escape lights: if your primary fails, use your back-up to surface safely, not continue the dive. Cave-divers carry three lights: one to break, one to fail, one to get to the surface. It's amazing how often that third light saves lives.
Make sure each torch has a burn time longer than your planned dive time - and that includes enough time to make a safe exit from the water, not just to get to the surface. If you are diving with say, six people, and your exit time is five minutes, you need to assume you will be the sixth to exit, which means an extra thirty minutes burn time.
Always turn on your primary light before entering the water and leave it on until a safe exit has been made. This is not just for you; it helps shipping and other recreational water users to spot you at a safe distance.
Be constantly aware of other divers. Underwater torches are extremely powerful and can easily render someone temporarily blind.
Always point lights in the direction of travel. For example, shine the beam down while descending, and towards the surface when ascending. Again, this helps other water users identify what and where you are.
If buddy separation occurs during a dive, cover your torch beam and look around for your buddy's light. In very low visibility, however, it's probably best to agree on immediate ascent if separated. At night, finding a torch beam on the surface is far easier than underwater.
As with all underwater communication, agree on appropriate torch signals while still on the surface.
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