Bornholm

Before Entering

• Choose a trained buddy or qualified guide, check skills, dive computer, equipment and weather, and agree on abort criteria.
• Consult local site access, surf, currents, boat traffic and port instructions; use a diver-down marker or SMB as appropriate.
• Keep beginner scuba on an operator-selected shallow route, not at the maximum depth in an online site description.
• Dive cold water only with suitable exposure protection and the skills to manage buoyancy, thermal load and regulator performance.
• For wrecks, assess legal heritage status, depth, current, entanglement, emergency ascent and overhead or decompression exposure with an appropriately qualified provider.
• Never freedive alone or after hyperventilation.

If Someone Is Ill After Diving

Call emergency services first, initiate appropriate oxygen first aid if trained and equipment is available, and seek assessment even if symptoms abate. DAN's guidance warns against bypassing emergency evaluation to go unannounced to a chamber. For maritime emergencies, Lyngby Radio monitors VHF channel 16 around the clock.

Bornholms Hospital in Rønne has an emergency department; non-life-threatening urgent assessment should start with phone 1813, while severe emergencies use 112. The Capital Region says critically ill or severely injured patients may be stabilized on Bornholm before air transfer to mainland facilities. The Rigshospitalet hyperbaric service in Copenhagen treats decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism; do not assume a locally available Bornholm chamber or a guaranteed evacuation time. Confirm appropriate medical evacuation insurance and an operator-specific emergency action plan, including enough oxygen for the response interval.

Respect Submerged Heritage

The Danish Agency for Culture states submerged cultural heritage older than 100 years is legally protected, with possible protection of younger important wrecks. Do not disturb, remove or alter finds. Report new discoveries to the authority or local museum.

Protect Baltic Water and Reserve Wildlife

HELCOM identifies eutrophication as a major Baltic Sea pressure. Avoid stirring sediments, contacting aquatic habitats, taking specimens or leaving plastic and fishing line. Denmark's Environmental Protection Agency warns about summer algae blooms and local bathing advisories. For the optional protected Ertholmene day trip, Christianso administration restricts access beyond walls from April 1 to June 15 and regulates proximity to bird islands. These rules do not establish a general marine-park dive ticket for Bornholm; check any site-specific protected area and maritime rules before entering.