Police urge divers to check gear and prepare properly

Police are urging recreational divers to ensure their gear is up to scratch, they are healthy and they have proper skills before entering the water this summer.

The head of the police national dive squad, Detective Bruce Adams, said divers were risking their lives by not preparing properly for dives and by breaching simple survival rules.

"Divers too often die because they don't have the proper skills, equipment or physical fitness," he said.

"Our waters provide a wonderful diving opportunity but the sport is very unforgiving if you don't know what you are doing."

The police dive squad examines equipment used in all recreational and commercial dive fatalities and reports its findings to the coroner.

Mr Adams said poor preparation, lack of physical fitness, pre-existing medical conditions, poorly functioning equipment and breaches of dive rules and tables showed up regularly in his reports.

Water Safety New Zealand figures show 82 people have drowned in diving accidents in the past 10 years.

Fifty-two were scuba divers and 30 were snorkellers.

Eight divers have drowned so far this year.

- NZPA