Briefing

As part of my Divemaster training, my instructor gave me an assignment to write a full dive briefing in text form. This is what I came up with.

💡 Initial information: 2 divers - one with an Open Water (OW) certification and one with an Advanced Open Water (AOW) certification. The OW diver has 59 dives and last dived two days ago. The AOW diver has 20 dives, and the last one was 10 years ago. You are going to Racha Yai for two boat dives.

Even though the Open Water certification is considered lower than Advanced Open Water, it is clear that more attention should be given to the second diver, since he has not dived for 10 years and may have forgotten some skills.

According to the instructor manual, the Discover Local Diving program briefing should include:

• A short overview of the dive site, including conditions, potential hazards, and points of interest.
• Responsible interaction with the underwater environment.
• Procedures and techniques used for diving in this area.

This briefing works well for divers who dive regularly, like the first diver. However, since the second diver has not dived for 10 years, we should also refresh some basic knowledge from the Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) program:

• Breathing rules and equalization techniques.
• Purpose and use of equipment.
• Hand signals.
• Regulator and mask clearing techniques.
• Respectful behavior toward marine life.
• Staying close to the instructor and following signals.
• Program limits and the importance of continuing education.

There is no need to conduct two full briefings. We can simply emphasize the important points from the DSD program and observe how the AOW diver responds, adjusting if necessary.

Now let's move to the actual briefing in first person.

Part 1. Boat Briefing

As soon as we board the boat, I gather everyone together, put on life jackets, and begin:

"Let me quickly explain the boat layout. We walk barefoot on the boat, so please remove your shoes at the entrance and place them in the basket. You'll get them back when we return to the pier.

The boat has two decks.

On the lower deck:

• At the bow is the captain's cabin. Please do not enter or disturb the captain.
• In the center corridor, on the left side, there are four toilets with showers. On the right side, there is a dry air-conditioned room. Please do not enter there in wet swimsuits after diving.
• Near the entrance is the kitchen and the engine room. Please do not enter these areas.
• At the stern, you will find tank racks where we prepare equipment, gear up, and remove equipment after dives.
• Also at the stern is the water entry/exit area. There are two freshwater showers and two freshwater buckets. One bucket is for cameras only, the other is for general equipment.

The upper and lower decks are connected by stairs. Please go up and down facing the stairs and holding with both hands. The boat may move, the stairs may be wet, and we want to avoid slipping.

The entire upper deck is for relaxation. At the bow and stern there are sunbeds. In the center on the right, breakfast and lunch will be served. On the left, you will find coffee, tea, soft drinks, and a blue cooler box with cold water. Feel free to take what you need.

One more thing: if you are prone to seasickness, take a tablet in advance. It takes about 30 minutes to work. If you already feel sick, it may be too late. In that case, go to the lower deck, to the water entry area, and use the sea if necessary. There is nothing embarrassing about seasickness - it can happen to anyone. To avoid it, don't sit on your phone. Look at a fixed point like an island or the horizon, avoid overheating, and drink water.

Alright, let's have breakfast. After that, we'll continue with the dive briefing."

Dive Briefing

Hello again everyone! My name is Egor, and today I will be your Divemaster.

Today we are doing the Discover Local Diving program. This program is for certified divers who want to dive at a new location.

We are diving at Racha Yai Island, at dive sites Bay 1 and Bay 2. It will take about 1.5--2 hours to reach the island, depending on the sea conditions. On the way, we will pass Ko Lon and Ko He.

The dive sites are two nearby bays. In the shallow protected area, at about 7--8 meters, there is a large coral reef with many different fish. We will start our first dive there to refresh equipment skills and get comfortable.

Deeper, on the sandy bottom, there are artificial reefs made of concrete cubes and domes, as well as a few sunken scooters. Here you may see moray eels, lionfish, pufferfish, and other larger fish. We plan to explore this area at the end of the first dive and the beginning of the second.

Even deeper is the Harubi wreck, which we will most likely visit on the second dive. The wreck is well preserved, and we may explore around it or swim along the upper deck, depending on conditions.

Remember that plans may change depending on visibility, currents, and your comfort underwater.

Underwater we do not touch anything. If I show the danger signal (closed fist), keep distance from the object.

Be careful with your fins near corals. Breaking corals - even accidentally - damages the reef and can lead to fines for you, me, and the boat.

Entry and Descent

We enter the water using a giant stride. Be fully ready: equipment on, tank open, BCD inflated, mask on, regulator in your mouth.

Hold your mask and regulator with your right hand. With your left hand, hold your weight belt and BCD straps. Look at the horizon, take a big step, and enter vertically.

Once on the surface, inflate your BCD if needed and give the "OK" signal.

When everyone is ready, I will show the "down" signal (thumb down) and we descend vertically. Release air slowly from the BCD. Descend slowly and controlled.

Equalize early and often. Pinch your nose and gently blow at least every meter.

If you have a problem, show the problem signal and point to the issue.

Underwater

At 2--3 meters we switch to horizontal position and start swimming. Use your legs only. Breathe calmly and regularly.

Remember: We never hold our breath.

If water enters your mask, press the top of the mask and exhale through your nose to clear it.

Monitor your air regularly. Show me at 100 bar. Show me again at 60 bar - that means we start ascending. We will make a 3-minute safety stop at 5 meters.

Ascent and Exit

When I show the "up" signal (thumb up), we ascend slowly, releasing air from the BCD.

At the surface, fully inflate your BCD, lie on your back, and swim to the boat.

At the ladder, hold with one hand, remove fins with the other, pass them up, then climb carefully.

Buddy Procedure

We dive as a group. I am in front, you two behind me at the same level. Stay close but not too close.

If you lose the group, stop for one minute and look around. If not reunited after one minute, ascend slowly (skip safety stop). Inflate BCD and wait on the surface.

If you run out of air, signal your buddy, use the alternate air source, and perform a controlled emergency ascent (no safety stop).

That's all. Any questions?