🇫🇲Federated States of Micronesia

Before every boat day, confirm the guide's certifications, oxygen kit, radio/satellite communications, weather and tide thresholds, casualty evacuation destination, buddy plan and surface pickup. Chuuk wartime wrecks can contain entanglement, unstable steel, silting passages and unexploded munitions: never touch, enter or remove anything outside your training and legal permissions. Strong tides affect Yap's Mi'l Channel and Pohnpei passes; Kosrae outer walls face sea-state changes. Pohnpei MPA rules prohibit taking wildlife and anchoring within designated areas and close Kehpara to snorkeling/diving January-June. DAN's minimum preflight guidance is 12 hours after a single no-stop dive, 18 hours after repetitive no-stop dives, and substantially longer after decompression dives; longer buffers reduce risk. Freedivers need a trained dedicated rescue buddy, not solo practice.

Hospitals are located on Weno (Chuuk), Pohnpei, Yap and Kosrae, but specialist trauma and diving-medicine capacity is limited. A functioning local hyperbaric/recompression chamber was not independently confirmed for any planned state, so arrange medical evacuation coverage that specifically includes diving emergencies and potential transfer to Guam or another suitable center. Keep emergency contacts, travel insurance details and operator coordinates available offline. Seek emergency assessment promptly for suspected decompression illness or blackout. CDC advises routine travel vaccinations, mosquito-bite protection because dengue and Zika occur, and avoiding potentially contaminated floodwater because of leptospirosis risk.

FSM protection combines national policy, four state systems and customary or community reef rights. In Chuuk, WWII vessels and aircraft are protected monuments: a permitted, certified local guide is required and removal or disturbance is prohibited. Pohnpei's MPA rules require activity permits, forbid collection and unauthorized anchoring and impose the Kehpara January-June closure. Kosrae includes protected mangroves and reef areas such as Utwe-Walung and the Trochus Sanctuary; follow site-specific rules. Yap's customary land and marine tenure means access must be agreed with local people. Never chase mantas, feed sharks, touch turtles, stand on coral, remove shells or photograph sensitive community activities without consent.