There is absolutely no reason to believe that SNUBA is a dangerous activity. On the contrary, since the depth of the average SNUBA excursion is 20 feet or less, it’s actually the safest form of diving. The lines that connect you to the SNUBA float are shorter and thus much less likely to snarl or break.
SNUBA is a safe activity that can be enjoyed by almost anyone. Of course, it definitely helps to always SNUBA dive in the company of peers, including your dive instructor. Doing so will make your SNUBA outing a safe and enjoyable activity for all concerned.
Snuba Statistics On Injuries And Fatalities
There are a small number of injuries and fatalities that have been recorded as a result of inexperienced divers attempting to SNUBA. However, these have been few and far in between. The major cause of SNUBA injuries has been decompression sickness, also known as “the bends”, from coming up to the surface too quickly.
There have also been a few drownings due to the diver not using their SNUBA equipment in the right manner as instructed by their SNUBA guide. A few may also have been caused by a diver losing their way in the water after straying too far from their SNUBA raft. While unfortunate, these deaths could mostly have been avoided.
Thousands of people enjoy the SNUBA experience all across the world on a daily basis. In fact, over five million dives have been conducted over the course of the past decade. SNUBA has quickly become one of the go-to activities for seaside vacations. It’s so easy to enjoy that many more people are becoming exposed to it.
SNUBA is catching on as a pastime precisely because it is so safe and easy to do. The fact that 20 feet is the max for the average dive means that no special training or certification is needed. SNUBA is different from snorkeling or scuba diving for a number of key reasons. These bear mentioning so you can easily know the difference.
As with scuba, the SNUBA diver uses fins, mask, weights, and a regulator. However, there is no need for a tank to be strapped to their back. The air that they breathe will come from hoses connected to cylinders that contain compressed air. These cylinders are located on the SNUBA raft that the hoses are connected to.
Likewise, SNUBA is different from snorkeling because you do have to carry a tiny bit more equipment than you would if you were just going freestyle. Still, the total amount of equipment that you use is miniscule compared to the heavy oxygen tanks that a scuba diver needs to use. This portability is one of SNUBA’s biggest fan draws.
Common SNUBA Injuries
Most injuries that have been associated with SNUBA diving are roughly the same as the ones that have been documented with other forms of diving. It should be pointed out that, out of millions of documented dives, very few injuries have actually been reported. The number of confirmed SNUBA diving deaths is barely more than a handful.
There is a danger that can be associated with diving down too far. The average limit for a SNUBA dive has been projected as 20 feet. Any deeper than this is dangerous because of the dangers of atmospheric pressure. The danger is somewhat offset by the fact that you are generally diving much closer to the raft than in a scuba dive.
Coming up to the surface too quickly can result in a form of decompression sickness known as “the bends.” This is an injury that is common enough in all forms of diving. It can be avoided by paying close attention to the instructions given to you by your SNUBA guide.
Top Dangers of SNUBA
The top dangers associated with SNUBA can be briefly listed below. These will include:
- A strong current can cause the support line to pull too hard on a diver, leading to a potential injury
- Coming up too quickly to the surface can lead to a case of decompression sickness, also known as “the bends”
- Straying too far from the support raft and getting lost can lead to injury or potential fatality
- Diving down beyond the recommended 20 feet can lead to injury or drowning
Can You Snuba If You Can’t Swim?
It is possible for you to SNUBA using a flotation device or holding on to the support raft at all times. However, in order to enjoy the full SNUBA experience as well as any other form of diving, it is definitely recommended that you learn to swim. This will reduce the possibility of injury or fatality as well as making it easier on yourself.
How To Snuba Safely – Top Tips
When it comes to learning how to SNUBA in a safe manner, there are a number of top tips that you can take advantage of. These are sure to include the following:
First, be sure to pay attention to all of the instructions that you get from your SNUBA guide. This is the expert who can tell you all that you need to know about SNUBA safety.
Second, it’s a very good idea to never dive to a distance of over 20 feet. This is because the atmospheric pressure could cause you to experience a case of decompression sickness, also known as “the bends.”
Third, you never want to stray too far from your SNUBA raft. This is the place where the lines that attach to your air supply are located. It’s also the place where you can safely retreat to when you are done diving.
Fourth, it’s not a good idea to go on a SNUBA diving trip by yourself. This is an experience that, for safety’s sake, should be shared with friends and a trained guide.
