🇦🇷Argentina

Pre-dive Checks

• Match the site, depth, suit and sea state to training. Use a supervised introductory program rather than independently descending on a first dive.
• Ask for functioning oxygen, emergency first aid, surface communications, vessel approvals, rescue arrangements, nearest receiving medical facility and weather cancellations.
• Ushuaia tourism describes Beagle Channel winter water around 2°C to 4°C and summer water around 8°C to 10°C. Dry suits are considered essential locally.
• Check Las Grutas tide stages and avoid entering under unstable cliff bases. In Golfo Nuevo, deep wrecks and penetration require separate experience and overhead-specific qualification.
• In Bariloche and Villa Traful use altitude-aware planning and avoid immediate ascent to higher roads or mountains after diving. A forest of branches is an entanglement hazard.
• For asymptomatic divers DAN suggests at least 12 hours before flying after a single no-decompression dive and 18 hours after repetitive or multi-day no-decompression dives; more conservative intervals may be appropriate. These flight rules do not automatically clear post-dive mountain driving.
• Freedive only with a properly trained safety buddy and never hyperventilate or hold your breath alone. Do not combine scuba and apnea activities without qualified advice.

Puerto Madryn, Bariloche and Ushuaia have urban medical services, but a specifically available local hyperbaric chamber, response time or evacuation flight was not independently established for each dive base. Puerto Piramides and Villa Traful are smaller and depend on referrals and difficult weather/road logistics. In an in-water emergency activate local services immediately, use trained first aid and emergency oxygen where available, and seek diving-medicine assistance. Do not fly or drive uphill when decompression sickness is suspected. Confirm whether your insurance explicitly covers scuba, chamber treatment, transport and evacuation.

Protect Marine Wildlife and Freshwater Habitats

• Peninsula Valdes: a UNESCO World Heritage Site for important marine mammal habitat. Use designated viewpoints, licensed whale boats and official park roads. No chasing whales, touching sea lions or collecting fossils.
• El Doradillo: all water entry and nautical activity are forbidden June-December; keep whale watching strictly land-based during this period.
• Punta Loma and Puerto Piramides: sea lion snorkeling is operator-managed and site-specific; never feed, handle, pursue or force a close encounter. Village snorkeling advertisements do not imply access to every sea lion colony.
• Nahuel Huapi and Traful: respect national park rules, sensitive submerged wood and shoreline habitats. Confirm boat and dive access authorizations, avoid contacting branches, and clean and dry gear between water bodies.
• All coasts: obey Prefectura sailing limits, do not disturb seabirds or nesting penguins, use established trails and remove all litter.