KNRM DIVES TOGETHER WITH NVD ON DUIKVAKER

On February 1 and 2, 2025, it is Duikvaker, the annual event for everyone who dives, snorkels, freedives, or has a warm heart for the underwater world! The KNRM and its volunteers will also dive at this fun, inspiring and informative diving fair, this time together with the Dutch Association for Diving Medicine (NVD).

The motto of both organizations is Dive More Often, but especially Dive Safer! And the volunteers can inform you extensively about this - there is still much to gain and the greater your awareness, the safer it becomes.

Bas Brand, who has been committed to the KNRM for years, is more than happy to engage in conversation with divers. “Safety is certainly high on their agenda, but there are often still factors that they overlook. And that results in many 'oh, really' moments.” After all, it is not only about safety under water, but also, for example, when they stick their heads above water again. “The head of the diver, often wearing a black hood, is no more than a dot on the water surface for other water sports enthusiasts – as a diver you are extra vulnerable at such a moment, let alone when there are also waves.” If divers are aware of this, they act accordingly.

Divers must also show other water users that they are under water. Of course, the diving flag is essential to make this known to shipping and others. Launching a buoy when you want to surface also makes it safer. Good to know, the KNRM also provides information about this to other water users.

Medical safety

But what about the medical safety of the divers? “Check your Heart! This campaign is part of the KNRM Water Sports Campaign and calls on water sports enthusiasts to be well prepared when going on (or in) the water.”
Within the context of diving, the KNRM is working with diving organisations such as the NOB, PADI, SSI and DAN and other diving organisations for this Check your Heart campaign. And with the Dutch Association for Diving Medicine (NVD), which has European-recognised diving doctors. Because, just like for any other athlete, good physical condition is of great value to divers, as is a periodic diving examination.

Diving doctors from the NVD will provide information on the importance of a good diving examination (instead of the standard sports examination) at the KNRM stand at Duikvaker. A specific diving examination looks at the aspects that are relevant to diving, especially ears, lungs and heart. And as you get older, especially after 50, the diving examination only becomes more important - the doctors will be happy to explain why.
If you want to know which diving doctors you can go to for such an examination, you can find out at www.duikkeuring.nl an overview of the European recognized diving doctors in the Netherlands and a recognized checklist.

KNRM Helps
Indispensable for every water sports enthusiast, and that includes divers, is the KNRM Helpt app. With this app, the KNRM volunteers can quickly get help in case of emergency. Make sure that the shore or boat guard also has this app on their phone. Every second counts.

You will find the KNRM together with the NVD in Hall 1 of Duikvaker: The Dutch Dive Show. We are recognizable by our red and yellow suits!