Safety Playbook: Diving Komodo National Park Safely
Transparency for your peace of mind. This is how we keep your dives safer in Komodo.
🛡️ Dragon Dive Komodo Safety Standards at a Glance
- 🔹 Maximum 4 divers per guide (2:1 for beginners or rusty divers)
- 🔹 Mandatory SMBs and dive computers on all dives
- 🔹 Emergency oxygen and first aid on every boat
- 🔹 5 minutes to recompression chamber in Labuan Bajo
- 🔹 All guides certified in rescue and emergency procedures
- 🔹 No negative entries – we use controlled group descents only
- 🔹 DAN emergency protocols followed on all trips
Summary: Dragon Dive Komodo follows strict safety standards: maximum 4 divers per guide, mandatory safety equipment, detailed briefings, DAN oxygen kits on all boats, a clear emergency plan and a recompression chamber only 5 minutes from our resort. This page presents our Safety Playbook 2025.
Our Core Safety Pillars
1. Strict 4:1 ratios
We guarantee a maximum of 4 certified divers per guide. Ratios are also adapted to experience level and comfort within each group.
- Experienced divers: 4:1 maximum
- Beginners/rusty divers: 2:1 maximum
- Advanced sites: Private guides available
2. Mandatory safety equipment
Safety is a shared responsibility. Every diver must have:
- Personal dive computer (rental available)
- Surface marker buoy (SMB) (rental available)
- Knife or line cutter
- Reef hook (optional but recommended)
Don't have your own? We provide rental equipment and training on how to use it.
3. DAN-based emergency preparation
Our emergency protocol follows DAN recommendations.
- Oxygen & first aid: all boats (day trips and liveaboard) are equipped with emergency oxygen and comprehensive first aid kits.
- Fast evacuation plan: speedboats available (from the liveaboard or our base) for medical evacuation when needed.
- Recompression chamber nearby: we contact the on-call doctor at the chamber, located only 5 minutes from our resort.
Emergency Procedures: Step-by-Step
🚨 Emergency Protocol
In case of a diving emergency, we follow this protocol:
- Surface immediately and signal the boat with your SMB
- Primary oxygen administration begins on the dive boat
- Contact recompression chamber doctor (we maintain 24/7 contact)
- Speedboat evacuation to Labuan Bajo (5 minutes from our resort)
- Transport to chamber with continuous oxygen and monitoring
- DAN insurance coordination for coverage and follow-up
📍 Labuan Bajo Recompression Chamber
Location: 5 minutes from Dragon Dive Komodo Resort
24/7 emergency contact maintained by our team
Full details available at reception upon check-in
Emergency Equipment on All Boats
- ✅ DAN Emergency Oxygen kit (flow-rate adjustable)
- ✅ Comprehensive first aid kit (weekly inspections)
- ✅ Emergency oxygen masks and demand valves
- ✅ Nitrox analyzer (on Nitrox-equipped boats)
- ✅ Emergency contact list and evacuation procedures
- ✅ Speedboat available for evacuation from liveaboard
Our Verifiable Commitments
- Maximum ratio: 4 divers per guide – checked daily by our Dive Manager.
- Oxygen & first aid: weekly inspections of all kits, with a signed maintenance log.
- Recompression chamber: Labuan Bajo Recompression Chamber, full contact details available at reception.
- In-house trained local guides: ongoing PADI training and emergency scenario drills throughout the year.
- Safety Playbook updated: last update on .
- Emergency drills: conducted quarterly with all dive staff
- Equipment maintenance: all rental gear serviced annually by certified technicians
Site-Specific Safety Briefings
Before diving Komodo's advanced sites, we provide detailed safety briefings tailored to each location. Here are examples of our go/no-go criteria:
🌊 Batu Bolong (Advanced)
Go/No-Go Criteria:
- ✅ Maximum current 3 knots
- ✅ Visibility minimum 15m
- ✅ Dive only on sheltered "lee" side or at slack tide
- ❌ We NEVER drop in the "split"
Best Season: April-November
Risk Mitigation: Reef hooks provided, buddy pairs mandatory, private guide option available
🏰 Castle Rock & Crystal Rock (Advanced)
Go/No-Go Criteria:
- ✅ Approach always from safest side (north)
- ✅ Current direction assessed before entry
- ✅ Downcurrent escape route briefed pre-dive
- ❌ Abort if visibility below 10m
Best Season: April-June, September-November
Team Experience: Our guides have been diving these sites since 2015
🐠 Tatawa Besar & Siaba (Beginner-Friendly)
Why Beginner-Safe:
- ✅ Protected bays with minimal current
- ✅ Shallow depths ideal for skill refreshers
- ✅ Sandy bottom for easy navigation
- ✅ High manta and turtle encounter probability
Best Season: Year-round
Perfect For: First-time Komodo divers, post-course dives, families
Our Briefing Doctrine
1. Comprehensive Dive Briefings (20-30 min)
Before every dive, we conduct a full 20–30 minute briefing. This covers:
- Site topography and the dive plan
- Current analysis and expected conditions
- Site-specific safety rules and signals
- Emergency procedures (separation, low air, downcurrent escape)
- Buddy team assignments and check protocols
- SMB deployment timing and surface procedures
2. Our Golden Rule: NO Negative Entries
This is a deliberate safety choice. We NEVER conduct negative entries (descending immediately without grouping up) with our guests. We consider this an unnecessary and stressful risk in Komodo.
We perform fast entries, but the entire group meets at the surface. The guide performs a visual check on every diver before signalling the descent *together*, under full control. Safety first.
3. Pre-Dive Safety Checks
Every dive includes:
- ✅ Buddy check: BWRAF system mandatory
- ✅ Computer check: verify depth/time settings
- ✅ Nitrox analysis: every tank analyzed and logged
- ✅ SMB deployment practice: for first-time users
- ✅ Hand signals review: including emergency signals
- ✅ Entry/exit procedure: site-specific instructions
Our Team: Your Lifeline Underwater
In Komodo, your guide's experience is the first safety factor. We don't compromise. Our greatest strength is the stability and in-house expertise of our crew.
Erno – PADI Instructor
Erno started with us as crew on our boats at the age of 16. Step by step he became a highly experienced PADI Instructor and a cornerstone of our team.
Specialties: Emergency First Response Instructor, Equipment Specialist
Rudi – PADI Instructor
Rudi's story reflects our commitment to nurture talent. He started at the bar and reception; we supported him all the way to becoming a fully qualified PADI Instructor.
Languages: Indonesian, English, basic French
Jeffry & Marsel – PADI Divemasters
Our Divemasters are the heart of our daily operations. Jeffry and Marsel completed an intensive 3-year training track, between liveaboards and daily trips, to deliver safe and expert guiding.
Experience: 500+ Komodo dives each, certified in rescue scenarios
Our Instructors – PADI IDC Staff Instructors
All advanced training at Dragon Dive Komodo – from PADI Rescue Diver to Divemaster – is conducted exclusively by PADI IDC Staff Instructors. This ensures you are coached by highly experienced professionals who regularly assist on Instructor Development Courses and are fully up to date with the latest PADI standards and best practices.
Our professional training is overseen by Elise Laffourcade, PADI Course Director, guaranteeing the highest level of teaching quality, safety and supervision throughout your journey to becoming a dive pro in Komodo.
Your Preparation Checklist & Our Solutions
To keep you and your group safe, we review your readiness together. Here is our checklist and how we support you.
Dive insurance covering accidents (including evacuation and chamber treatment) is mandatory. You will be asked to show proof during check-in.
Komodo currents require you to feel comfortable underwater. Have you dived within the last 6–12 months?
Have you dived in currents before? Are you Advanced Open Water certified for deeper and more exposed sites?
Every diver must have a dive computer and a surface marker buoy (SMB).
Do you have any medical conditions that require dive clearance? (See PADI medical questionnaire)
Frequently Asked Safety Questions
Are SMBs mandatory for divers in Komodo?
Yes, absolutely. SMBs are mandatory on all our dives in Komodo National Park. Strong currents and boat traffic make surface signaling essential. SMBs are available for rent if you don't have your own, and our guides will show you proper deployment technique before your first dive.
Do you provide Nitrox analyzers for guest use?
Yes. Every Nitrox-equipped boat carries a regularly calibrated analyzer. All Nitrox-certified divers are expected to analyze their own tanks before each dive and log the results. Our guides will assist first-time Nitrox users.
Can I book a private guide for personalized safety?
Yes. Private guides are available for nervous or inexperienced divers, photographers who want more freedom, or anyone preferring 1:1 attention. Private guides must be booked in advance (subject to availability). Rates: Rp +1.500.000 per day.
Do you accept beginner divers in Komodo?
Yes, with proper preparation. We welcome Open Water divers who follow our safety protocol: Scuba Refresher if needed (especially if last dive was 6+ months ago), carefully chosen beginner-suitable sites (Tatawa, Siaba), detailed safety and current briefings, and 2:1 guide ratios.
What are the emergency procedures and nearest recompression facilities?
Full emergency protocol: All boats carry DAN emergency oxygen and first aid. In case of incident, we administer primary oxygen immediately, contact the on-call doctor at Labuan Bajo Recompression Chamber (5 minutes from our resort), and evacuate via speedboat with continuous monitoring. We maintain 24/7 contact with the chamber and coordinate with DAN insurance.
What if I'm not comfortable with strong currents?
We have solutions: (1) Pool refresher in our on-site facility to rebuild confidence, (2) Current-readiness briefing with specific techniques, (3) Beginner-suitable site selection by season, (4) Private guide option for personalized pacing, (5) Option to sit out advanced sites and enjoy land activities instead.
Are reef hooks mandatory?
Recommended but not mandatory. Reef hooks are very useful on advanced sites like Batu Bolong and Castle Rock. We provide reef hooks for rent if you don't have your own, and our guides will demonstrate proper use (hook the dead rock only, never living coral).
How do you assess diver skills before allowing advanced sites?
Progressive assessment: We review your logbook and certification level during check-in. First dive is typically at a moderate site (Sebayur, Pengah) where guides observe buoyancy control, comfort level, and current handling. Based on this assessment, we recommend appropriate sites for subsequent dives or suggest additional preparation if needed.
What safety equipment do you provide versus what should I bring?
You must bring: Valid certification card, dive computer (or rent from us), logbook.
We provide: Rental dive computers, rental SMBs, reef hooks, first aid kits, emergency oxygen, Nitrox analyzers, all safety equipment on boats.
Recommended to bring: Your own dive computer (more familiar), your own SMB (more comfortable), reef hook if you own one, dive insurance card.
