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Outdoor Adventure

Scuba Diving Risk Assessment Template

The complete guide to creating professional risk assessments for scuba diving activities and instruction.

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Free to use Instant PDF download Updated February 2026

In This Guide

1 Introduction & Overview 2 Activity Benefits 3 Hazards & Control Measures 4 Safety Checklist 5 Related Guides

The essential guide to scuba diving safety

Scuba diving opens up the underwater world, offering unique experiences from coral reef exploration to wreck diving. Proper safety management is critical due to the technical nature of the activity and the hostile environment.

This guide covers everything you need to create a thorough scuba diving risk assessment—from decompression illness prevention and equipment checks to buddy procedures, dive planning, and emergency response.

Scuba divers underwater
Outdoor Activity
Activity Benefits

Why scuba diving is worth the investment

Breathing Control

Enhances breathing control and lung capacity through regulated breathing techniques essential for underwater diving.

Swimming Skills

Improves swimming and underwater navigation skills by practising efficient movement in aquatic environments.

Mental Relaxation

Boosts mental relaxation and stress relief by providing a serene and immersive underwater experience.

Marine Awareness

Promotes connection with marine ecosystems, fostering a deeper appreciation for oceanic biodiversity.

Risk Identification

Key hazards & control measures

Decompression IllnessHigh Risk
Potential Harm

Decompression sickness (the bends), arterial gas embolism, joint pain, paralysis.

Control Measures
  • Dive planning within no-decompression limits
  • Dive computers used and monitored
  • Safety stops conducted on all dives
  • Emergency oxygen and evacuation plan in place
DrowningHigh Risk
Potential Harm

Death from inability to breathe underwater due to equipment failure or panic.

Control Measures
  • Pre-dive equipment checks completed
  • Buddy system strictly enforced
  • Emergency ascent procedures trained
  • Surface support and rescue capability
Equipment MalfunctionHigh Risk
Potential Harm

Loss of air supply, uncontrolled ascent, drowning from regulator or BCD failure.

Control Measures
  • Equipment serviced according to manufacturer schedule
  • Pre-dive buddy checks completed
  • Alternate air source available
  • Equipment failure drills practised
Diver SeparationMedium Risk
Potential Harm

Panic, drowning, inability to assist in emergency, lost diver.

Control Measures
  • Buddy pairs assigned and briefed
  • Separation procedures agreed before dive
  • Surface marker buoys carried
  • Maximum separation distance defined

This guide covers the most common hazards. Our risk assessment wizard includes 42 hazards and 120+ control measures for Scuba Diving, sourced from industry guidance — create your assessment in minutes.

Safety Checklist

Pre-dive checklist

Equipment

  • Cylinder pressure checked
  • Regulator functioning
  • BCD inflates and deflates
  • Weight system secure

Dive Plan

  • Maximum depth agreed
  • Bottom time calculated
  • Entry and exit points identified
  • Emergency procedures reviewed

Buddy Check

  • BCD operation confirmed
  • Weights checked
  • Releases identified
  • Air supply tested

Conditions

  • Weather suitable
  • Visibility acceptable
  • Current manageable
  • Surface support ready

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