What is the first step in conducting a risk assessment for a dive?

The first step in conducting a risk assessment for a dive is to identify potential hazards. This foundational activity involves recognizing any conditions or elements that could pose a danger to divers. By pinpointing these hazards, divers and their teams can understand the risks associated with the diving environment, such as underwater currents, marine life, equipment malfunction, or environmental factors.

Identifying potential hazards is crucial because it informs all subsequent steps in the risk assessment process. Without a thorough understanding of what could go wrong, it would be impossible to evaluate risks accurately, implement control measures effectively, or communicate appropriate safety plans. Each of these later steps relies on the initial identification of hazards to ensure that the risk management process is comprehensive and targeted toward mitigating actual threats present in the dive environment.