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SPRING 2016
DIVE SLATE
DAN PSA, EDUCATION & TRAVEL
PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT
On average, lobster mini season results in two dive fatalities each year.
TIP
Diving fatalities that
ran low on, or out of,
gas were twice as
likely to be hunters
than nonhunters.
MONITOR YOUR GAUGES.
1
TIP
For more information, call DAN toll-free at
(800)446-2671.
For emergencies, call our 24-hour emergency line:
(919)684-9111
.
THINK THIS CAN’T
HAPPEN TO YOU?
THINK AGAIN.
Average Age
48
Married
50%
BodyType (BMI)
Average
Fatal Dive Max Depth
76 FT
Completed 60+ Dives
29%
Over 10 years
there were 3,633
days outside of
mini season. In
Florida, 28 divers
died while hunting.
Over the same
10 years there
were 20 hunting
deaths out of 20
mini-season days.
130x
vs.
NORMAL DIVING DAYS TWO-DAY MINI SEASON
GREATER
DEATHS
DAYS
28
3,633
DEATHS
DAYS
2
2
DEATHRATEOF
HUNTERDIVERS
IN MINISEASON
1
State
Hunters
20 deaths
in 10 years
20
Florida attracts
thousands of hunters.
Days
2
Mini season lasts
for two days in July.
Are you
READY
for
2
LESSON
: Check your
gauges often.
TWO TIPS FOR SAFER MINI-SEASON DIVING
Hunting adds to the
physical demands of
diving. Navigate into
a current to reduce
effort getting back to
the boat, and stay
neutrally buoyant
while diving.
REDUCE CARDIAC STRESS
Mini
If you’re planning to hunt lobsters this season, it’s
never too early to prepare. Whether you will hunt “bugs”
during the mini season or regular season, here are some
tips to keep in mind.
Evaluate your fitness to dive.
One of the most common causes of diving injuries
is underlying health problems, with cardiovascular
issues leading the way. Participation in lobster hunting
requires good physical fitness. Regular moderate
exercise without vigorous exercise may not prepare you
sufficiently for the physical challenges that can arise
during lobster hunting. Be thorough and honest when
assessing your health status.
Refresh your skills, and check your equipment.
Enroll in a refresher course if you have not used your
dive skills recently. If you have limited experience
hunting lobsters, learn how to do so safely. Review your
gear, and make sure it is properly maintained and in
good condition. Familiarize yourself with new equipment
before using it while hunting lobsters. Most important,
make sure your buoyancy and weighting systems
are dialed in. Good buoyancy reduces your workload,
minimizes stress on your cardiovascular system and
improves the efficiency of your buoyancy compensator.
Know the dive environment.
If you plan to hunt for lobsters at night, be sure you are
comfortable with and experienced in night diving. Boat
traffic may increase during lobster season, so be alert at
depth as well as on the surface. Be familiar with the dive
site, and know if it poses specific safety hazards, such as
entrapment or entanglement hazards or strong currents.
Check your gauges.
Don’t be so distracted by hunting that you ignore your
instruments or your dive plan. The most common factors
in dive accidents are rapid ascents, running out of gas
and panicking. Avoid diving deeper than you otherwise
would, and be continuously aware of your breathing
gas consumption. Constantly monitor your gauges, and
make sure you’ll have enough gas for a safety stop, a
slow ascent and an emergency reserve.
ARE YOU READY FOR LOBSTER SEASON?