In limited visibility conditions, what should divers frequently do to ensure safety?

In limited visibility conditions, maintaining communication with a dive buddy is crucial for safety. Effective communication enhances situational awareness, allowing divers to keep track of each other and coordinate their actions throughout the dive. When visibility is reduced, it is easy to become disoriented or separated from your dive partner, so consistent communication helps ensure that both divers are aware of their surroundings and can respond appropriately to any changes in the dive environment.

This practice includes using hand signals or other agreed-upon methods to indicate status, air supply, or any potential hazards that may arise. It significantly reduces the chances of accidents and promotes a collaborative approach to navigating through challenging conditions. While diving in shallow waters could be a consideration for safety, it is not always feasible or beneficial depending on the dive plan and environment. Similarly, using lights is often necessary in limited visibility to improve visibility rather than avoid them, and managing air consumption is important but does not directly address the immediate need for communication between divers.