What is a good practice for divers prior to starting a night dive?

Conducting a thorough pre-dive briefing with the team is a crucial practice for divers before initiating a night dive. A comprehensive briefing ensures that all team members are on the same page regarding the dive plan, including details such as objectives, entry and exit strategies, communication signals, and potential hazards specific to night diving conditions. This preparation fosters a shared understanding among divers, enhances safety, and allows each diver to voice concerns or seek clarification on any uncertainties. When diving in limited visibility or darkness, proper communication and teamwork become even more vital, making a pre-dive briefing essential for minimizing risks and maximizing enjoyment during the dive.

Engaging in activities such as simply visualizing the dive plan without a formal briefing does not provide the same level of clarity and coordination needed. Likewise, descending quickly, while it might seem advantageous in avoiding crowds, bypasses key safety considerations that should be discussed during a proper briefing. Lastly, checking only personal gear neglects the importance of ensuring that all team equipment is functioning correctly and effectively communicated as part of overall dive readiness.