Como buceadores, estamos acostumbrados a realizar o escuchar un briefing antes de cada inmersión, esto puede resultar algo aburrido y sin mucha utilidad para algunas personas, pero la realidad es que es una parte fundamental del buceo!
What is a briefing?
A briefing, in the world of diving, consists of a brief pre-dive explanation about the same or about the activity that is going to be carried out. Generally, following the PADI method, the following 10 points are covered:
- Name of the dive site: at this point you can include some facts and anecdotes about the place.
- Description of the dive site: includes the topography, depth, conditions (current, visibility, temperature), as well as points of interest or risk areas.
- Role of the guide: it is important to know where you are going to be located, what you are going to be doing, how to identify it and how to capture its attention.
- Entry and Exit Procedures: We need to clarify entry and exit techniques and points.
- Dive Procedures: These include the course, max depth, air reserve, safety stop, and any special techniques we are going to use.
- Emergency procedures: all divers must know what to do in an emergency (shortness of breath, losing a buddy…). In addition, a procedure must be established to call all divers if necessary.
- Cue review: This way we make sure that the whole group remembers and uses the same cues.
- Buddy Check: Make sure your gear is complete, both before and after the dive, and set up a buddy system.
- Orientation about the environment: it is advisable to inform about the environmental characteristics of the dive site (flora and fauna) and remind divers that they must follow the rules of safe diving to minimize the disturbance of the environment.
- Safety check: Remind divers to carry out a pre-dive safety check. To remember everything that we must review, we usually use the acronym CPTAO (Vest, Leads, Strips, Air, Okay)
How can it help me?
The main function of the briefing is to increase safety. This is achieved by giving us information prior to the dive that allows us to get an idea of what we are going to find underwater and what the methodology that we are going to follow is going to be.
Also, having protocols in place, especially in emergencies, decreases reaction time, which increases the chances of a successful outcome.
On the other hand, these pre-dive talks help us find points of interest during the dive and enjoy it more while being more relaxed. In addition, knowing more about the dive you are going to do makes it more interesting, since it allows us to see things that on other occasions we would have ignored and ensures that all divers know the route, allowing us to meet if necessary.
During the briefings you can also go over signs or any concerns that we have about diving.
