What document must be completed prior to a Nitrox dive?

Before embarking on a Nitrox dive, completing a dive plan is essential. A dive plan serves multiple critical functions that enhance safety and preparedness underwater. It outlines details such as the dive site, the planned depth and duration of the dive, the gas mixture being used, and any specific activities planned during the dive. This planning allows divers to identify potential risks and develop strategies to address them, ensuring a more structured and safer diving experience.

In addition to outlining the specific plan for the dive itself, the dive plan also facilitates coordination among diving partners, ensuring everyone is aware of the objectives and safety measures in place. Aspects such as entry and exit points, communication signals, and emergency procedures are also typically included, which are particularly significant when using enriched air Nitrox due to its different decompression limits compared to air.

While a dive log, safety manual, and risk assessment are important components of safe diving practices, they serve different purposes. For example, a dive log documents past dives, a safety manual provides general safety information, and a risk assessment typically assesses the hazards associated with activities but does not directly guide the specific dive at hand. The dive plan, however, is uniquely focused on the particular details and considerations of the upcoming dive, making it a critical