Safety tips for diving in Var

No scuba diving is risk-free. Several accidents have recently occurred in the department of Var.

Accident prevention

• The Var has 120 diving establishments and over 400,000 dives per season.
• In 2025, 182 accidents were recorded, including 4 fatal ones.
• In 2024, 136 accidents were reported, including 4 fatal ones.

Safety instructions before diving

• Preferably dive with a club, accompanied by instructors holding state-recognized qualifications.
• Ensure you are in good physical and psychological condition.
• Inform a person on land about your dive.
• Verify that you have civil liability insurance and individual accident coverage.
• Familiarize yourself with the site characteristics: underwater topography, currents, seabed type, visibility, shipwrecks, drifts, channels.
• Know your limits and progress gradually if you haven’t dived for a long time.

During the dive

• Never dive alone.
• Dive in clear areas, away from boat traffic routes.
• Signal your presence using a red flag with a white diagonal or a St. Andrew’s cross.
• Gently equalize your ears during descent; stop if you feel pain.
• Breathe normally while diving; do not hold your breath.
• Respect recommended ascent speed and decompression stops.
• Avoid altitude changes or flying within the 24 hours following the dive.

After the dive

• Rehydrate yourself with water or non-alcoholic warm beverages.
• Warm up if necessary.
• Rest and avoid any major physical exertion.
• Rinse your ears with fresh water and avoid air conditioning or drafts.
• Avoid fishing nets, shipwrecks, caves, and other natural or artificial hazards.

Useful resources

• Download the leaflet "So that diving remains enjoyable" (PDF, 6.36 MB, 17/04/2023).
• Download the poster "Diving safely" (PDF, 0.38 MB, 31/05/2024).
• Access the rules for maritime recreational safety via the link: HERE.

In case of emergency at sea

• Call 196 or the VHF radio channel 16.