Safety Playbook: Diving Komodo Safely
Transparency for your peace of mind. Maximum 4:1 ratios, mandatory SMBs, DAN oxygen on all boats, and recompression chamber 5 minutes away.
🛡️ Quick Answers — Safety Standards
- Ratios: Max 4 divers/guide (2:1 for beginners)
- Equipment: SMB + dive computer mandatory on all dives
- Emergency: DAN oxygen + first aid on every boat
- Chamber: 5 minutes from our resort in Labuan Bajo
- Entry: NO negative entries — controlled group descents only
- Guides: All certified in rescue + emergency procedures
🛡️ 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 – controlled group descents only
- DAN emergency protocols followed on all trips
Our Core Safety Pillars
Strict 4:1 Ratios
Maximum 4 certified divers per guide. Ratios adapted to experience level:
- Experienced: 4:1 maximum
- Beginners: 2:1 maximum
- Advanced sites: Private guides available
Mandatory Safety Equipment
Every diver must have:
- Personal dive computer (rental available)
- Surface marker buoy (SMB) (rental available)
- Knife or line cutter
- Reef hook (recommended)
DAN Emergency Preparation
All boats equipped with:
- DAN emergency oxygen
- Comprehensive first aid
- Speedboat evacuation available
- Chamber: 5 min from resort
🚨 Emergency Procedures
🚨 Emergency Protocol — Step by Step
- Surface immediately and signal the boat with your SMB
- Primary oxygen administration begins on the dive boat
- Contact recompression chamber doctor (24/7 contact maintained)
- Speedboat evacuation to Labuan Bajo (5 min from resort)
- Transport to chamber with continuous oxygen and monitoring
- DAN insurance coordination for coverage and follow-up
Location: 5 minutes from Dragon Dive Komodo Resort
24/7 emergency contact maintained by our team
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
🌊 Site-Specific Safety Briefings
Before diving Komodo's advanced sites, we provide detailed safety briefings with go/no-go criteria.
🌊 Batu Bolong (Advanced)
Go/No-Go: ✅ Max 3 knots ✅ Visibility 15m+ ✅ Lee side or slack tide only ❌ NEVER drop in the "split"
🏰 Castle Rock & Crystal Rock (Advanced)
Go/No-Go: ✅ North approach ✅ Current assessed pre-entry ✅ Escape route briefed ❌ Abort if viz below 10m
🐢 Tatawa Besar & Siaba (Beginner-Friendly)
Why safe: ✅ Protected bays ✅ Shallow depths ✅ Sandy bottom ✅ High turtle/manta probability
📋 Our Briefing Doctrine
Comprehensive Dive Briefings (20-30 min)
Before every dive, we cover:
- Site topography and dive plan
- Current analysis and conditions
- Site-specific safety rules and signals
- Emergency procedures (separation, low air, downcurrent)
- Buddy team assignments
- SMB deployment timing
Golden Rule: NO Negative Entries
We NEVER conduct negative entries. This is a deliberate safety choice.
Fast entries, but entire group meets at surface. Guide performs visual check on every diver before signalling descent together.
Pre-Dive Safety Checks
- 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
✅ Your Preparation Checklist
To keep you and your group safe, we review your readiness together.
Insurance covering accidents, evacuation and chamber treatment is required. Show proof at check-in.
Komodo currents require comfort underwater. Dived within 6-12 months?
Dived in currents before? Advanced Open Water certified?
Every diver must have a dive computer and SMB.
Any conditions requiring dive clearance? (See PADI medical questionnaire)
👨🏫 Our Team: Your Lifeline Underwater
Your guide's experience is the first safety factor. Our core team has been with us since 2015.
Erno & Rudi — PADI Instructors
Both grew with Dragon Dive from the beginning — Erno started as boat crew at 16, Rudi started at reception. Now fully qualified PADI Instructors and cornerstones of our team.
EFR Instructor • Equipment SpecialistJeffry & Marsel — PADI Divemasters
Completed intensive 3-year training track. 500+ Komodo dives each, certified in rescue scenarios. The heart of our daily operations.
500+ Komodo Dives Each❓ Frequently Asked Safety Questions
Are SMBs mandatory for divers in Komodo?
Yes, absolutely. SMBs are mandatory on all dives. Strong currents and boat traffic make surface signaling essential. Rentals available, and guides will show deployment technique.
Can I book a private guide for personalized safety?
Yes. Private guides available for nervous divers, photographers, or anyone preferring 1:1 attention. Rates: +Rp 1,500,000/day. Book in advance.
Do you accept beginner divers in Komodo?
Yes, with proper preparation: Scuba Refresher if needed, beginner-suitable sites (Tatawa, Siaba), detailed current briefings, and 2:1 guide ratios.
What if I'm not comfortable with strong currents?
We have solutions: Pool refresher, current-readiness briefing, beginner-suitable sites, private guide option, or option to sit out advanced sites.
How do you assess diver skills before advanced sites?
Progressive assessment: Logbook review at check-in, first dive at moderate site where guides observe buoyancy and comfort. Based on this, we recommend appropriate sites.
Are reef hooks mandatory?
Recommended but not mandatory. Very useful on advanced sites. We provide rentals and demonstrate proper use (hook dead rock only, never living coral).
Questions About Safety?
We're happy to discuss your preparation, experience level, or any concerns before you book.
