Scuba diving is, by nature, a dangerous sport. But, you can have a safe, fun and accident free dive by following a few safety rules.

Take lessons and get qualified by a certification agency before participating in SCUBA diving. I have written an article explaining how to get certified and have compiled a list of certifying agencies.

Get a medical examination from your doctor and take a swim test before learning SCUBA diving. You don't have to be an olympic athlete, but you do need to know some basic swimming skills.

Once certified, do not dive in dangerous waters or in an environment for which you are not qualified/certified, such as: ice, cave, and shipwreck diving. They all require special training. One can easily get lost or trapped and run out of air.