Secondary Risk Factors

In addition to the three primary risk factors associated with diving the Grotto, there are several secondary risk factors that deserve divers’ attention.

Five secondary hazards associated with diving the Grotto are:

• Slippery-when-wet surfaces, such as docks and stairs. You have to assume that, if it is wet (or under water), the risk of slips and falls is greater.
• Stairs which must be negotiated while carrying heavy equipment. We don’t tell divers how they must carry equipment up and down stairs — we just encourage them to make multiple trips, rather than carrying everything at once.
• Tripping over equipment left sitting on docks or walkways. What is true of dive boats is true of the Grotto: Equipment not properly stowed is a risk to you and everyone else. Gear should be stowed on or under tank racks — or, unless absolutely needed at the water’s edge, left topside in vehicles or staging areas.
• Debris resulting from the ongoing construction. Going barefoot is never a good idea at the Grotto. Proper footwear, in the form of shoes, sandals, wetsuit or drysuit boots, is essential at all times.
• Swimming into bubbler streams can cause rapid ascents. Doing so during safety or deco stops can really but a damper on your day.

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