Safety Guidelines

Your Safety is Our Priority

At Pawikan Divers, safety comes first. These guidelines ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

General Safety Rules

Before Any Activity

✅ Read and sign all liability waivers and medical forms
✅ Disclose all medical conditions honestly and completely
✅ Attend mandatory safety briefing - No exceptions
✅ Ask questions if anything is unclear
✅ Follow instructor guidance at all times
✅ Do not participate if feeling unwell, tired, or under the influence

During Activities

✅ Stay with your group - Never wander off alone
✅ Use equipment properly - Do not modify or misuse
✅ Respect marine life - Look but don't touch
✅ Monitor your buddy - Always dive/swim in pairs
✅ Signal immediately if experiencing problems
✅ Stay within depth/area limits - Do not exceed your training

After Activities

✅ Hydrate - Drink plenty of water
✅ Rest - Allow time for recovery
✅ Report issues - Inform staff of any concerns immediately
✅ No flying - Wait 18-24 hours after diving before flying

Scuba Diving Safety

Pre-Dive Requirements

⚠️ You MUST NOT Dive If You Have:

Heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart conditions
Respiratory disorders (asthma, COPD, bronchitis)
Ear, sinus, or inner ear problems
Epilepsy or seizures
Diabetes (especially insulin-dependent)
Panic attacks or claustrophobia
Recent surgery (within 3 months)
Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
History of decompression sickness

Medical Clearance Required

If you answer "YES" to any CMAS medical questionnaire question:

You MUST obtain doctor's clearance
Clearance must be dated within 30 days
Must be from a licensed physician
Diving without clearance = Automatic disqualification

Dive Day Safety

24 Hours Before Diving

❌ NO alcohol
❌ NO recreational drugs
❌ NO heavy meals (risk of seasickness)
❌ NO late nights (be well-rested)

On Dive Day

✅ Arrive on time (late = may forfeit dive)
✅ Eat light breakfast 2-3 hours before
✅ Hydrate well (water, not coffee)
✅ Bring sunscreen, hat, towel
✅ Bring motion sickness medication (if needed)

Depth Limits

Certification Level	Maximum Depth
Discover Scuba	12m (40 ft)
Junior Open Water (10-11 yrs)	12m (40 ft)
Junior Open Water (12-14 yrs)	18m (60 ft)
Open Water Diver	18m (60 ft)
Advanced Open Water	30m (100 ft)
Deep Diver Specialty	40m (130 ft)

⚠️ NEVER exceed your certification limits!

Underwater Protocol

Breathe continuously - Never hold your breath
Equalize often - Stop and equalize if ears hurt
Monitor depth - Stay within certification limits
Watch air supply - Ascend with 50 bar minimum
Stay with buddy - Maintain visual contact
Ascend slowly - 18m/min maximum ascent rate
Safety stop - 3-5 minutes at 5 meters (15 feet)
Surface signaling - Inflate BCD, signal boat

🚨 Emergency Procedures

If you experience:

Out of air: Signal buddy, share air, ascend slowly
Equipment failure: Signal, buddy ascend, surface safely
Lost buddy: Search 1 minute, ascend safely, reunite at surface
Cramps: Stop, signal, stretch, breathe calmly
Panic: Stop, breathe, think, act calmly
Marine life injury: Exit water, seek first aid immediately

Post-Dive Safety

✈️ CRITICAL: No Fly Rule

Do NOT fly for:

Single dive: 12-18 hours wait
Multiple dives/multi-day: 18-24 hours wait
Decompression dive: 24-48 hours wait

⚠️ Flying too soon = High risk of decompression sickness (the bends)

Post-Dive Activities to Avoid

❌ Hot showers/baths immediately after
❌ Heavy exercise within 4 hours
❌ Alcohol within 4 hours
❌ Massages within 4 hours
❌ Mountain driving/hiking (altitude > 300m)

Water Sports Safety

Island Hopping

✅ Life jackets - Must be worn at all times on boat
✅ Stay seated - While boat is moving
✅ Buddy system - Never swim alone
✅ Snorkeling depth - Stay in shallow areas if not certified
✅ Marine life - Do not touch corals, fish, or sea creatures
✅ Sun protection - Use reef-safe sunscreen

Jet Ski Safety

✅ Minimum age: 16 years (with parental consent if under 18)
✅ Life jacket: Mandatory - Must be worn
✅ Safety briefing: Attend before operation
✅ Designated area: Stay within marked zones
✅ Speed limits: Follow instructor guidelines
✅ Distance: Maintain safe distance from others
❌ No stunts: Prohibited - Can result in injury

Parasailing Safety

✅ Minimum age: 12 years
✅ Weight limits: 40kg (88 lbs) minimum, 150kg (330 lbs) maximum
✅ Tandem weight: Combined 200kg (440 lbs) maximum
✅ Health: No heart conditions, pregnancy, or back problems
✅ Weather: Activity cancelled if wind speeds unsafe
✅ Harness: Properly fitted and secured by staff only

Banana Boat Safety

✅ Minimum age: 8 years
✅ Life jackets: Mandatory for all riders
✅ Grip handles: Hold tightly with both hands
✅ Falling off: Normal - Stay calm, wait for boat pickup
❌ No standing: Remain seated at all times

Marine Life Safety

Look But Don't Touch

Why?

Protect marine life: Oils from skin harm corals and fish
Protect yourself: Many species can sting, bite, or poison
Legal: Illegal to damage corals or harass wildlife in Philippines

Dangerous Marine Life

⚠️ Jellyfish

If stung: Exit water, rinse with vinegar (not fresh water), seek medical help

Box jellyfish: Extremely dangerous - Seek immediate medical attention

⚠️ Sea Urchins

Avoid stepping: Spines are painful and can break off

If punctured: Soak in hot water, remove spines carefully, seek medical help if infected

⚠️ Lionfish

Venomous spines: Do not touch

If stung: Immerse in hot water (45°C/113°F), seek medical attention

🐍 Sea Snakes

Extremely venomous: Do not approach or touch

Usually docile: Leave them alone and they'll leave you alone

If bitten: Seek immediate emergency medical care

🦈 Sharks

Rare encounters: Extremely unlikely in our dive sites

If seen: Remain calm, maintain eye contact, back away slowly

Do not: Splash, swim erratically, or turn your back

Coral Safety

✅ Never touch - Damages coral and can cut you
✅ Buoyancy control - Maintain neutral buoyancy to avoid contact
✅ No fins on coral - Be aware of fin placement
❌ No kneeling - Never kneel or stand on coral

Fire coral: Looks harmless but causes painful stings - Avoid contact

Emergency Procedures

Medical Emergencies

We are equipped with:

✅ First aid kits
✅ Oxygen (for diving emergencies)
✅ Emergency communication devices
✅ Trained staff in CPR and first aid
✅ Evacuation procedures

In case of emergency:

Signal for help - Use whistle, wave arms, shout
Stay calm - Panic makes everything worse
Follow instructions - Staff will guide you
Cooperate - Provide medical information honestly

🏥 Nearest Medical Facilities

Closest hospital: Mactan Doctors Hospital
📍 Basak, Lapu-Lapu City (15 minutes)

Hyperbaric chamber: (For decompression sickness)
📍 VISCOM Station Hospital, Cebu City (45 minutes)

Emergency hotline: 911 (Philippines)

Dive Insurance

We strongly recommend:

DAN (Divers Alert Network): Dive insurance & evacuation
PADI Insurance: Covers diving-related injuries
Travel insurance: General medical coverage

Your Responsibilities

By participating, you agree to:

✅ Follow all safety instructions and guidelines
✅ Disclose all medical conditions honestly
✅ Use equipment properly and as instructed
✅ Report any safety concerns immediately
✅ Accept risks inherent to water sports and diving
✅ Not participate if feeling unwell or unsafe
✅ Respect marine environment and wildlife
✅ Behave responsibly and courteously

Failure to comply may result in: Immediate removal from activity, no refund, liability for injuries/damages, banishment from future bookings.

Questions?

Safety is a team effort. If you have ANY concerns, speak up!

📞 Phone/WhatsApp: +63 917 647 2762
📧 Email: pawikandivecenter@yahoo.com
💬 Facebook: facebook.com/zandormagno

On-site: Talk to any staff member immediately

Remember: Your safety is our #1 priority. When in doubt, ask!