If you’ve ever gone scuba diving, you know that the dive boat is your lifeline. It’s the vessel that takes you to and from the dive site, and it’s where you store all of your gear. But what would you do if your dive boat left you behind in the water?
The first thing to do is remain calm. Panicking will only make the situation worse. Take a few deep breaths and assess your situation. Are there any other boats nearby? If so, try to get their attention by waving or shouting. If not, then it’s time to start swimming towards shore or a nearby island.
Before setting off, make sure that you have all of your essential gear with you such as a mask, fins, snorkel, and buoyancy control device (BCD). These items will help keep you safe while swimming in open water. Additionally, make sure that your dive computer is set to track your location so that rescuers can find you if necessary.
Once you’ve gathered all of your gear and are ready to swim towards shore or an island, it’s important to stay hydrated and conserve energy by swimming slowly and steadily. If possible, try to stay close to the surface of the water so that boats can spot you more easily. Additionally, be aware of any potential hazards such as strong currents or marine life that could pose a threat.
If all else fails and no one comes to rescue you after several hours in the water, then it may be time to call for help using a VHF radio or satellite phone if available. Make sure that someone knows exactly where you are located so they can send out search-and-rescue teams as soon as possible.
No matter what happens when your dive boat leaves you behind in the water, remember to stay calm and take all necessary precautions for safety until help arrives.