What Every Diver and Snorkeler Should Know About Water Accidents

Diving and snorkeling trips are meant to be peaceful, exciting moments on the water. Most people step off the boat expecting a safe, guided experience, but when something goes wrong underwater, a fun outing can turn serious in an instant.

If you were injured during a dive or snorkel excursion, you may have more options than you realize. Operators, instructors, and crews have a responsibility to keep guests and workers safe, and when safety breaks down, they may be liable for the damage. 

This guide explains how these incidents happen, what you can do next, and what America’s Largest Personal Injury Firm does to make a difference.

When Dive Trips Go Wrong

Florida and other warm-water destinations see millions of dives and snorkel trips each year, which means the water often feels busier and more hurried than most guests expect. In that environment, accidents rarely stem from one dramatic mistake; They tend to build quietly as small pressures stack together.

Some of the most common pressure points include:

• Crowded waterways that leave little room for error between swimmers and vessels.
• Rushed briefing or prep time as operators try to keep trips moving on schedule.
• High guest-to-guide ratios that make it difficult to watch everyone closely.
• Equipment turnover that pushes rental gear back into circulation before it’s thoroughly checked.
• Variable ocean conditions, like currents, visibility, and boat traffic, that shift faster than many guests realize.

Whether you're a guest or a working diver, it’s important to remember that you’re not expected to manage all of these variables on your own. What you deserve now is guidance, clarity, and support as you sort through what happened.

If You Were Hurt in a Diving Accident, Here’s What to Do

These steps focus on what you can realistically do in those first few minutes:

Signal for Help and Get to a Safe Spot

If you're still in the water, your immediate priority is safety. Signal the crew, inflate your BCD or flotation device, and get back to the boat or shore as calmly as possible. 

For snorkelers, raising an arm or calling out may be enough for a lookout to respond.

Get Checked by Medical Personnel

Once you’re out of the water, let someone know you’re hurt, even if you’re not sure how serious it is. 

Ask for oxygen if you’re feeling dizzy, confused, or short of breath, and seek evaluation from someone familiar with dive medicine as soon as possible.

Make a Simple Note of What Happened

Right after the incident, focus on capturing just the basics: where you were, what you were doing, and when you first felt something was wrong. You don’t need a perfect account, just enough that the memory doesn’t fade.

Hold Onto Your Gear and Any Related Items

If possible, avoid letting the operator clean or swap out your equipment right away. Even damaged or malfunctioning gear can be important to understanding what happened. If you can’t keep it physically, take a quick photo.

Wait Before Giving Formal Statements

It’s natural for crew members or staff to ask you what happened, but it’s in your best interest to only give the basics until you’ve had time to breathe and understand the situation. Speak with an experienced attorney, learn the best way to approach your statements, and give yourself a strong foundation to move forward.

When Every Hour Changes the Story

The ocean doesn’t hold still, and that makes the early hours after an incident especially important. Boats head to new sites, crews rotate off shift, and rental gear gets rinsed, reset, or handed to the next group. Dive computers begin overwriting data, and environmental conditions shift in ways that can make it harder to understand what you encountered.

Because so much changes so quickly, taking early steps helps keep the story of what happened from slipping away. A brief conversation with someone who understands diving incidents can help you capture the details that matter most before they fade.

How an Attorney Helps You Make Sense of What Happened

The days after a diving or snorkeling accident can feel as if you’re still trying to catch up to what happened beneath the surface. Recovery is most important, but nagging legal deadlines and responsibilities can make it feel impossible. On top of it all, you’re navigating through a process that’s stacked against you, with dive teams using carefully worded contracts and legal teams to protect themselves from liability.

It’s not easy to handle, but it’s in these moments where having experienced help can shift the weight. 

Morgan & Morgan, America’s Largest Personal Injury Firm, has advocated for the rights of accident victims for over 35 years, recovering $25 billion for thousands of Americans. Whether you’re injured at sea or on land, our 1,000+ trial-ready attorneys are ready to push for every penny you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a scuba or snorkeling accident, let’s talk about how we can best recover. Get started today with a free, no-risk case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Am I able to bring a claim after a scuba or snorkeling accident?

Yes. Many diving and snorkeling injuries stem from preventable issues involving equipment, supervision, vessel operation, or excursion management. Speaking with someone familiar with underwater incidents can help you understand what options apply to your situation.

2. Who can be held responsible for a diving or snorkeling injury?

Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may involve the tour operator, boat crew, instructor, equipment supplier, or maintenance provider. Liability often depends on how the dive was organized and what safety measures were in place.

3. What if I signed a waiver before the trip?

Waivers don’t automatically prevent you from bringing a claim. Their enforceability depends on the wording of the document, the circumstances of the incident, and applicable law. It’s worth having the waiver reviewed.

4. What should I do immediately after a diving or snorkeling accident?

Get to safety, seek medical attention, and make a brief note of what happened. Holding onto your gear and avoiding detailed statements until you’ve had time to regroup can also help protect your clarity.

5. Do I still have a case if symptoms appeared hours or days later?

Yes. Many diving-related injuries, especially decompression issues, can develop gradually. Delayed symptoms don’t prevent you from exploring what went wrong.

6. What if I’m a professional diver or instructor injured while working?

Work-related diving injuries often involve additional layers, including employer policies, maritime rules, and equipment standards. Someone familiar with occupational diving environments can help clarify your rights.