Here are ten essential safety principles every diver should follow to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience underwater.

1. Always Dive with a Buddy:
Diving with a buddy is a critical safety measure.
In case of an emergency, having a partner allows you to assist each other with equipment, air supply, or navigation issues.

2. Plan Your Dive and Dive Your Plan:
Before entering the water, make a detailed dive plan, including your depth, duration, and emergency procedures.
Stick to the plan to avoid unexpected risks.

3. Check Your Gear:
Always perform a pre-dive equipment check (often called a "buddy check") to ensure your scuba gear, especially your regulator, buoyancy control device (BCD), and gauges, is functioning properly.

4. Monitor Your Air Supply:
Regularly check your air gauge to ensure you have sufficient air throughout the dive and maintain enough reserve to safely ascend and complete a safety stop.

5. Ascend Slowly and Safely:
A controlled ascent is vital to prevent decompression sickness ("the bends").
Always ascend at a safe rate (no faster than 9 metres per minute) and make a safety stop at 5 metres for 3-5 minutes.

6. Equalise Early and Often:
Equalise your ears and mask frequently during descent to avoid barotrauma (pressure-related injuries).
Never force equalisation; if you are unable to equalise, stop your descent and ascend if needed.

7. Within Your Limits:
Dive within your training, experience, and comfort level.
Avoid diving deeper or under more challenging conditions than what you are certified and prepared for.

8. Maintain Good Buoyancy:
Proper buoyancy control is key to safe diving.
It helps prevent accidental collisions with the seabed, coral, or marine life and reduces fatigue from unnecessary effort.

9. Be Aware of Your Surroundings:
Keep track of your dive location, your buddy, your depth, and potential hazards like currents, boat traffic, or marine life.
Stay alert to avoid dangerous situations.

10. Respect the Underwater Environment:
Avoid touching or disturbing marine life, corals, or fragile underwater ecosystems.
Not only is this for environmental conservation, but some creatures can be dangerous if disturbed.

These safety principles form the foundation for safe scuba diving, helping divers minimise risks and enjoy the underwater world responsibly.