Red sea diving & snorkelling - Jordan - page 70

DIVE SAFE CHECKLIST
Before You Go
❑ ❑ Are you insured? If something happens to you, treatment in the decompression
chamber can cost thousands. If you hadn't planned to dive before arriving in Jordan,
many of the better dive centres can provide insurance.
❑ ❑ Have you informed your doctor? Diving can affect your metabolism and if
you're on medication, your dosage of prescription drugs might need to be changed.
❑ ❑ Have you been drinking? Alcohol dehydrates, especially in Jordan's dry cli-
mate, and increases susceptibility to decompression sickness.
During the Dive
❑ ❑ Do you know your diving depth limit? The Red Sea's clear waters and high
visibility often lure divers into going too deep. The depth limit for casual divers is 30m
- stick to it.
❑ ❑ Will you remember what your boat looked like? Some dive sites get crowded
and boats can look similar from underneath. It's not unknown for divers to be left be-
hind because they didn't realise that their boat was leaving.
After Care
❑ ❑ Have you allowed 24 hours before flying? Divers are in serious danger of de-
compression sickness if they attempt to fly too soon.
❑ ❑ Have you allowed 12 hours before leaving Aqaba? As most routes out of town
involve an uphill drive, the change in altitude may trigger decompression sickness. If
you're heading for Petra or Wadi Rum, leave your journey until tomorrow.
Health & Safety
Hazards of the Sea
It's worth familiarising yourself with the main marine hazards before snorkelling or
diving - single-page colour guides to the Red Sea's common culprits can be bought in
hotel bookshops around diving areas.
» » Stonefish A poisonous fish with a nasty habit of lying half-submerged in the sand:
wear something on your feet if you're wading out to a dive site. If stung by a stonefish,
you should see a doctor immediately.