1

DivingCode of Practice for

August 2015

2 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

CONTENTSPreface 4Purpose 4Scope 5Figure1:UniversityDiveStructure 5Roles 6 UniversityDivingOfficer 6 DepartmentalDiveOfficer 7 DiveSupervisor 8 Diver 9CategoriesofUniversityDivers 10 ProvisionalScientificDiver 10 FullScientificDiver 10 ContractorsandSub-contractors 10 Volunteers 10Authorisation,CertificationandCurrency 11 ScubaDivers 11 Snorkeldivers 12LapseofAuthorisation 13RemovalofAuthorisationtoDive 13MedicalRequirements 14LogBooks 14DiveOperations 15 Approvalfordiving 15 Divingwithotherorganisations 15 DivingCharterandtraininginstitutions 16 Figure2:DiveOperationssummary 16 DivePartyPersonnel 17 RiskAssessment 17 Diveplan/s 17 Table1:Approvalsfordiving 18 Vessels–cruiseplan/s 18 Shoredive–fieldplans 18 Post-divedocumentationandreporting 18Equipment 20AirManagement 21UseofAirCompressorstoFillDiveCylinders 21SafetyStops 21MultidayDivePlanning 21CurrentGoodPracticeinDiving 22 Beforeleavingforthedivesite 22 Atthedivesite 22 Afterthediveiscompleted 24SignallingSystems 25Aquaticanimals 25AltitudeandFlyingafterDiving 25

3

Maximumdepthofdives 26On-SiteDivePersonnelSafety 26SurfaceSupport 27AccidentManagement 27AccidentReporting 28Definitions 29Appendix1:DivingEnvironments 32 Temperate 32 Sub-AntarcticandAntarctic 32 Tropical 32 OverheadEnvironments–Ice,Wreck,CaveandCavern 32 Fiords 32 DivingfromRockyShores 33 DivingfromSandyShores 34 DivinginCurrents 34 DivinginLoworZeroVisibility 35Appendix2:DivingActivities 36 DivingfromBoats 36 Solodiving 38 Life-linediving 38 Nightdiving 39 DeepDives 40 DivingaroundInternationalPorts 41 DivingonStructures 42 LiftingofObjects 42 PowerToolUse 43 FullFaceMaskandUnderwaterCommunications 43 Drysuits 43Appendix3:Equipment 44Appendix4:ScubaDiver’sEquipmentChecklist 45Appendix5:ScubaEquipmentMaintenanceChecklist 46Appendix6:RecommendedEquipmentforDiveBoats 49Appendix7:LifeLineSignals 50 PullsandBells 50 FromAttendanttoDiver: 50 FromDivertoAttendant: 50Appendix8:DivePlanContents 51Appendix9:ChecklistofSignsandSymptomsforSuspected 52Appendix10:ComparisonofDecompressionTablesandComputers 55Appendix11:CheckOutRequirements–SCUBAandSnorkeling 56Appendix12:GuidelinesforinteractingwithwildlifeinthemarineenvironmentduringOtagoUniversityfieldactivities 58Appendix13:DiveplanTemplateandroster 60Appendix14:DivePlanrosterAppendix15:TobeAuthorisedtoScubaDive 62Appendix16:TobeAuthorisedtoSnorkelDive 63

4 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

PREFACEThisisthethirdeditionoftheUniversityofOtagoCodeofPracticeforDiving.Itincorporatesthelatest“goodpractice”divingstandards.AlllegalrequirementsundertheMinistryofBusinessInnovationandEmployment,GuidelinesforOccupationalDivingandrelevantAustralian/NewZealandStandardsarecorrectattimeofprinting.Legislationmayhavechangedsinceprintingthiscodeandinthatcasedivingactivityshouldbeconsistentwiththelegislationthatiscurrent.

Allstudentsandstaffwhoarecurrentlyscubaorsnorkeldivers,orintenddivingaspartoftheirresearchactivities,orasdivingassistantsforotherstafforstudentsmustcomplywiththepracticesoutlinedinthisCodeofPractice.DiversshouldfollowtheflowchartinAppendix15toassistthemindeterminingwhatrequirementsneedtobeundertakenbeforetheycandiveinanyactivityassociatedwiththeUniversityofOtago.

Furtherinformationisavailableatotago.ac.nz/healthandsafety/Diving/index.html

PURPOSEThepurposeoftheCodeis:

1. toestablishsafedivingproceduresandfosterasafetyconsciousculturewhichoptimisestheproductivityoftheUniversityofOtago’sdivingoperation

2. toensurethatalldivingisconductedinamannerwhichminimisesand/orpreventsdivingaccidents,injuriesorillnesses

3. toadministerandmaintainindustrystandardsfordivers.

5

SCOPEThisCodeappliesto:

• DivingactivitiesinNewZealandandoverseaswherethoseactivitiesformpartoftheresearchorworkofanyUniversityemployeeorstudent

• EmployeesoftheUniversityofOtagoundertakingdivingactivities• Studentsinvolvedindivingeitheronapartorfull-timebasiswhileundertaking

researchorstudiesattheUniversityofOtago• Anyonedivingasavolunteerforanystudentorstaffmemberoronbehalfofthe

UniversityofOtago• DivingactivitiesfromUniversityvessels• OtherpersonswhoaredivingforhireorrewardfortheUniversityofOtago.• VisitorsfromotherinstitutionsdivinginassociationwiththeUniversityofOtago• SubcontractorsundertakingworkfortheUniversityofOtagooritsstaff/studentsas

partoftheirresearch• Employeesundertakingdivetrainingactivitiesasarequirementoftheiremployment• Forthepurposeofthisdocumentthewordsdivinganddiversrelatestobothscuba

andsnorkeldivers.

Thiscodedoesnotapplyto:

• DivingforpleasureconductedbystudentsorstaffoftheUniversityofOtagothathasnorelationshiptotheirresearch,studiesorwork

• DivingundertakenbymembersoftheUniversityofOtagoDiveClubforrecreation.

Figure 1: University Dive Structure

Vice Chancellor

Head Health and Safety Compliance

University Dive Officer (UDO)

Departmental Dive Officer (DDO) Dive Supervisor

Dive Supervisor Diver

Diver

6 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

ROLES UNIVERSITY DIVING OFFICERTheUniversityDiveOfficer(UDO)shallbeanOSHregisteredscientificdiver,withabroadexperienceindiving.Heorsheshouldalsobeacertifiedandcurrentinstructor.

Responsibilities

1. ToadvisetheUniversityofOtagoondivingpolicy

2. ToberesponsibleforalldivingactivitiesthatarecarriedoutinassociationwiththeUniversityofOtago

3. Toestablishpolicyforsafedivingpractices

4. Toensurethatalldiversareadequatelytrainedandcertificated

5. Toreviewreportsondivingincidentsandensurethatalldiversareinformedofprocedurestobetakentoavoidare-occurrence

6. Tocarryoutongoingassessmentsofdivingproceduresandactivities

7. ToRepresenttheUniversityofOtagoatanationalandinternationallevelwithregardtodivingpolicy

8. ToRepresenttheUniversityofOtagoinanylegalproceedings

9. Torestrict,prohibitorsuspenddivingactivities,programmesorpracticeashe/shethinksnecessarytomaintainsafeandcompliantoperations

10. Assessdiverscompetenciesandrecordtheevidenceusedintheassessment.

7

DEPARTMENTAL DIVE OFFICERIndividualdepartmentsorschoolswithintheUniversityofOtagomayhaveaDepartmentalDiveOfficer(DDO).TheDDOwillbeappointedbytheHODoftheirdepartmentinconsultationwiththeUDO.TheDDOrepresentstheHODandisresponsibleforthesafeconductandthedaytodayoperationofthatspecifieddepartmentwithintheUniversityofOtago.

Responsibilities

1. Maintainingdiverrecordswithintheirdepartment

2. ReviewingandapprovalofdiveplansasdescribedinTable1Approvalsofdiveplans

3. ForwarddiveplanstotheUDOforapprovalandconsultwiththeUDOoverdiveplansthatfalloutsidetheresponsibilityoftheDDO

4. Ensurediveequipmentownedbytheirdepartmentismaintainedaccordingtomanufacturers,MBIEanddepartmentrequirementsandmaintenancerecordsareavailableforauditpurposes

5. CollectandcollatedivedatafromtheDivesupervisorandDASpost-diveandforwardthesetotheUDOonaweeklybasis

6. Communicatewithdiversinthedepartment,theHOD,UDOandDASanychangestolegislationorpolicy,,andotherrelevantinformationthatwillenableimprovementsindivingpracticesinthedepartmentandtheUniversity

7. Reportingincidents/accidentstotheUDOandtheHOD.ReferSectiononAccidentManagement.

8 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

DIVE SUPERVISORThedivesupervisor(DS)isresponsiblefortheoverallsafetyofthedivingoperation.TheroleandnominationofthedivesupervisorshouldbediscussedwiththeDDOpriortotheplanningphaseofthetrip.

ThedivesupervisorcouldbeaDivingActivitiesSupervisor,BoatskipperwithequivalentexperienceandskillswhoisintrainingasaDASoraFullScientificDiver.

Responsibilities

1. Ensurethatthetripiscoveredbyanuptodateandrelevanthazardassessment

2. ToprovideDDOorUDOforapprovaladiveplanasperTable1priortothedivetakingplace

3. ToensurethattheUniversityofOtagoCodeofPracticeforDivingisadheredtoonthedivesite

4. Toensurethatthediversarephysicallyfitandhavecurrentcertificationtodive

5. Toensurethatthediversunderstandtheworkthattheyaretoperformandtoexplainthenecessarysafetystandardsandemergencyprocedurestobeused

6. Tocheckthatthedivershavethenecessaryequipmentandthatitisinasafeoperatingcondition

7. Toensurethatthesurfacesupportisadequateandthattheyunderstandtheprocedurestheymustfollow

8. Toensurethatconditionsaresafefordivingandtoterminatedivingatanystageoftheoperationshouldconditionsbecomeunsafe

9. Tokeepanaccuraterecordofalldives(Diveroster).Thisresponsibilitymaybedelegated,preferablytoapersonwhohasnootherdutiesduringthedivesuchastheskipperbuttheresponsibilityofensuringthedataiscollectedandforwardedtotheDDOisthatoftheDS

10. ToprovideacopyofthecompletedandsigneddiverostertotheDDOassoonaspracticablepostdiveordivetrip

11. Intheeventofaseriousorsignificantaccident,totakechargeandensurethatthenecessaryproceduresarefollowedandthatarecordofthediver’sconditioniskeptandhisorherequipmentisheldforinspectionbytheUDO

12. Toreportanyaccident,incidentornearmisstotheUDO.

9

DIVEREverydivermustbecurrentlycertificated,bephysicallyfitfordivingandhavethenecessarytrainingandpreparationforthedivestobeundertaken.

Responsibilities

1. Tomaintainsuitablefitnessandpreparationforthedivestobeundertaken

2. Tomaintainequipmentsuppliedinasafeoperatingcondition,andtoensurethatadequatepersonalequipmentisavailableforthedivestobeundertaken.(Diverswhoareusingtheirownequipmentshallensurethatbuoyancycompensators,regulators,pressuregauges,computers,tanks,etchavebeencheckedbyanauthorisedserviceagentinthelast12months)

3. Tounderstandtheparametersofeachdiveplanandundertaketosticktothediveplanunlessconditionsarisethatwouldmakeitunsafetodoso

4. Tocompleteapre-divecheckoftheirequipmentandthatoftheirbuddybeforediving

5. Toensureadiveleaderhasbeenappointedandthatthedivesignals,plan,patternandemergencyproceduresareunderstood

6. Nottodiveifequipmentorconditionsareunsafeorbeyondthediver’scapabilities,orifthediveplanorproceduresareconsideredunsafe

7. Toreportimmediatelyanyequipmentmalfunction,adivingaccidentorincident,anyinjuryorillnessornearmisstotheDS

8. Torecordalldivesandmaintaintheirpersonaldivelogbook

9. Tohaveatthedivesitehardcopiesoftheirlasttendives

10. ToadheretothisCodeofPracticeforDiving.Thisincludestomakeavailablecopiesofqualifications,divemedicalsandotherdocumentsasrequiredunderthiscode.

10 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

CATEGORIES OF UNIVERSITY DIVERSPROVISIONAL SCIENTIFIC DIVERTobegrantedprovisionalscientificstatusdiversmustmeettherequirementsofauthorisationandcurrency.

ProvisionalScientificDiversmay:

• ConductdivesforresearchpurposesunderthedirectsupervisionofaFullScientificDiver

FULL SCIENTIFIC DIVERIfthediverisreceivingrewardfordivings/hewillrequirefullscientificdiverstatus.Tobegrantedfullscientificstatusinadditiontothecriteriaforprovisionaldiverstatuss/hemustalsohave:

AMBIELimitedCertificateofCompetencyforScientificdiving.

business.govt.nz/worksafe/information-guidance/all-guidance-items/guidelines-for-occupational-diving

FullScientificDiversmay:

• Superviseprovisionalscientificdiversundertakingdivesforresearch• ActasDiveSupervisors• Conductdivesforresearch

CONTRACTORS AND SUB-CONTRACTORSThiscategoryincludesthoseconductinganytypeofdivinginvolvingUniversityresourcesorsupportwheretheUniversityhasaroleastheprincipalorthesub-contractor.Principalsmusttakeallpracticablestepstoensurethatperson’sinorinthevicinityoftheplaceofwork(vessels,divesite)arenotharmed.Divingcontractorsandsub-contractorsarerequiredtosubmitadiveplanthroughtheDDOtotheUDO.

VOLUNTEERSAvolunteer(notalreadyenrolledintheUniversityofOtago)requiresaformalaffiliation/contractwiththeUniversityviaHumanResources.ThiscanbefacilitatedthroughtheDDOand/orthedepartmentaladministrator.

Onceaaffiliation/contractletterisobtainedavolunteerdiverisrequiredtomeetthesameauthorisationrequirementsasaProvisionalScientificDiver.Avolunteerdivershallnotreceiverewardfordiving.

11

AUTHORISATION, CERTIFICATION AND CURRENCYSCUBA DIVERS AUTHORISATIONAuthorisationisonanannualbasis.Togainauthorisationallscubadiverswillcompletethefollowing:

1. CertificationatRescuelevel,equivalent,orabovefromanapproveddivercertifyingorganizationsatisfactorytotheUDO

2. PassaMBIEOccupationaldivemedical

3. Successfullycompletedaprimarycare(CPR)firstaidcoursewithinthelast12months

4. Successfullycompletedanapprovedoxygendeliverycoursewithinthelast24months

5. Successfullycompletedasecondarycarefirstaidcourseevery24months.(TheUniversityrunsaworkplacefirstaidandaCPR/firstaidcourseeveryyear.Byattendingoneofthesecourseonalternateyearsyouwillfulfilltherequirements#3,#4and#5above)

6. Passedacheckoutdivewithintheprevious24months(appendix11)

7. HavereadandunderstoodandagreedtoabidebytheUniversityOfOtagoCodeOfPracticeforDiving.

Whereadiver’sdivingactivitiesjustifyit,thedivingofficermayprescribespecialrequirementsorstandards.

SCUBA DIVERS CURRENCYToremaincurrentthescubadivermusthavecompletedthefollowingeveryyear:

1. CompletedtheMBIEOccupationaldivemedicalandself-check

2. Completedaminimumof40minutesbottomtimeeverysixmonthsandnotlessthantwodivesoratthediscretionoftheUDO

3. ProvideahardcopyofyourlogbooktotheDDOeverysixmonths

4. Successfullycompletedaprimarycarefirstaidcourseinthelast12months

5. Successfullycompletedasecondarycarefirstaidcourseevery24months.(TheUniversityrunsaworkplacefirstaidandaCPR/firstaidcourseeveryyear.Byattendingoneofthesecourseonalternateyearsyouwillfulfilltherequirementsofthecode)

6. Approvedoxygendeliverycourseinthelast24months

7. Passedacheckoutdiveinthepreceding24months(appendix11)

8. Complywithanyotherlegislativerequirement.

12 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

SNORKEL DIVERS AUTHORISATIONAuthorisationtosnorkeldiverequiresallsnorkeldiverstohavecompletedthefollowing:

1. CertificationfromanapprovedsnorkeldivercertifyingorganizationsatisfactorytotheUniversityDivingOfficer(PADIskindiver,OpenWaterdiverorequivalent)

2. CompletedtheSPUMSdivemedicalasabove

3. Successfullycompletedaprimarycarefirstaidcoursewithinthelast12months

4. Successfullycompletedasecondarycarefirstaidcourseevery24months.(TheUniversityrunsaworkplacefirstaidandaCPR/firstaidcourseeveryyear.Byattendingoneofthesecourseonalternateyearsyouwillfulfilltherequirementsofthecode)

5. Approvedoxygendeliverycourseinthelast24months

6. Passedacheckoutsnorkeldivewithintheprevious24months(appendix11)

7. HavereadandunderstoodtheUniversityofOtagoCodeofPracticeforDiving.

SNORKEL DIVERS CURRENCYAuthorisationisonanannualbasisandtoremaincurrentthesnorkeldivermusthave:

1. Passedtheprescribedmedicalexamination

2. Completedaminimumoftwosnorkeldivesovertwoseparatedayseverysixmonths

3. Attendedaresuscitationandfirstaidcourseinthelast12months

4. Passedacheckoutsnorkeldiveinthepreceding24months(appendix11)

5. Complywithanyotherlegislativerequirement.

13

LAPSE OF AUTHORISATIONAdiverorsnorkeldiverwhohasallowedhisorherauthorisationtolapseandwishestorenewitmustcomplete:

1. Meetallrequirementsforthedivecategorytheywishtobegranted

2. Completeacheckoutdive.

REMOVAL OF AUTHORISATION TO DIVEAdiver’sauthorisationtodivewillberevokedifthediver:

1. Failstomeetthemedicalstandard

2. ConductsdivingactivitiesoutsidetherequirementsoftheCodeofPractice

3. Isnegligentintheperformanceoftheirdivingduties

4. Doesnotmeettherequirementstoretainauthorization

5. Conductsunsafediveactivities.

Tohavetheirauthorisationre-instatedafterremovalofauthorisationthedivershouldwritetotheUDOstatingthespecificreasonswhytheyshouldhavetheirauthorisationre-instated.InsomecasestheUDOmayrequirethedivertoundertakesomeremedialtraining.Re-instatementisatthediscretionoftheUDOinconsultationwiththeDDOandHODHealthandSafety.Allotherrequirementsforcurrencyalsoapply.

14 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTSScubaDiversmustholdacurrentMBIEoccupationalmedicalclearance.SnorkelersmustholdaSPUMSmedicalclearingthemtosnorkel.

Thereareanumberofmedicalconditionsthatmightpreventsomeonefromundertakingscubaandsnorkeldiving.Alldiverstakeresponsibilityfortheirownmedicalfitnesstodiveandifindoubtshouldconsultamedicaldoctortrainedinhyperbaricmedicine.Incasesofminorillnesssuchasaheadcolddiverswillbeabletoassesstheirfitnesstodivesafely.Aftermedicalinjury,illnessorsurgeryafreshmedicalclearancemayberequired.PleasecheckyourhealthstatuswiththeDDOorUDOtoconfirmwhetheranewmedicalisnecessary.

Anymedicationsshouldbecheckedwithamedicaldoctortrainedinhyperbaricmedicinepriortoundertakingadive.Fulldisclosureofmedicationsmustbemadeduringthedivingexamination,tothedivesupervisorandtheDDO.

LOG BOOKS Diversarerequiredtokeepapersonallogofdives,ahardcopyofwhich,showingthelastsevendaysdivingmustbeavailableforinspectionatthedivesite.Loggeddivedatashouldincludedepth,bottomtime,namesandrolesofpersonnelinvolved,breathingmedium(e.g.air),purposeofthedive,workcompletedandtheequipmentused.OtagoUniversitywillretainacopyofyourpersonaldivelogsmustberetainedforaperiodofsevenyears(ReferGuidelinesforOccupationalDiving2004,4.10).

Divesshouldclearlydifferentiatebetweenscubaandsnorkelingactivities.Thedivesaretobesequentiallynumberedandtoincludeacumulativetotalofdivetime.Notethatdivetimeisfromthestartofyourdescenttothestartofyourdirectascenttothesurface.Itdoesnotincludeascenttraveltimeorsafetystoptime.AlldiversmustsupplycopiesoftheirdivelogstotheDDO.TheUDOmayrequestdivelogs,thoughgenerallythesewillberequestedfromalldiversonaquarterlycycle.

15

DIVE OPERATIONSAUniversityofOtagoapproveddiveplanisrequiredforeverydivethatfallswithinthescopeofthiscodeofpractice.

APPROVALS FOR DIVINGTheDDOshallbeinvolvedinalldiveplanningandapproval.ApprovalisrequiredfromtheUDOfordivesbelow30m,solodiving,confinedspaces,overheadenvironments,divesconductedoutsideNewZealand,Antarctic/ArticandSub-Antarctic,Underwaterhabitat,divingwithotherorganisations,Constructionanddivesofcontractors.

IfoutsideauthoritiesbodiesareinvolvedadiveplanmustbesubmittedtothegoverningbodyandtheUniversityforapprovalbyboth.

WhereadiverintendstoplanadivethatisoutsideoftheparametersoftheCodeofPracticeaspecificwaiverfromtheUDOshouldberequestedinwriting.Waiversareconsideredonacasebycasebasis.Anywaivergivenisonlyvalidforthespecificdiveplanforwhichithasbeensought.

DIVING WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONSWhereanexternalorganizationisresponsibleandalsoholdsauthorisationfordivingactivitiestheUniversityofOtagoreservestherighttoensurethatalldivingactivitiesarecarriedoutinaccordancewiththisCodeofPractice.TheUniversityofOtagomustbeassuredthatthedivingisplannedandcarriedoutappropriately.Inthecasewhereadiverrequiresapprovalfromathirdpartytheywillcopythethirdpartyapprovals,diveplansandotherdocumentationtotheUniversityDiveOfficeraspertherequiredtimeframesbelow.ItispossibleinthesecasesthatthediverswillusethethirdpartiesdiveplanningformatratherthantheOtagoUniversityDiveplan.

TheUniversityDiveOfficerwillconsiderthediveplansandmakeadecisionastoapprovaloftheactivity.TheUniversityDiveOfficerisabletodirectthatdivingactivitydoesnotoccurincaseswherehe/shebelievesthediveplanandotherevidenceprovidedisinadequate,unsafeorfallsoutsideofthisCodeofPractice.PossiblethirdpartiescouldincludeAntarcticNewZealand,otheruniversities,subcontractors,contractorsororganizationsoutsideofNewZealand.

Visitorsfromotherorganisations–TheDDOwillcompilecopiesofrelevantcertificationdocuments(medical,firstaid,logbook,divingqualification)andsendthemtotheUDOforapproval.

OtagoUniversitypersonneldivingwithotherscientificorganisations–OtagoUniversitydiverswillprovidetheUDOthroughtheDDOacopyoftheirdiveplanforapprovalandanyotherdocumentationthathasbeensubmittedtotheotherscientificorganization.

16 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

Dive Operations

Ensure dive supervisor is appointed, current & authorised

Shore dives Dives off vessels

Complete field plan & dive plan and send to DDO for approval

Complete cruise plan & dive plan and send to DDO for approval

Post dive complete field and dive report. Send to DDO

Complete risk assessment for proposed dive activities & site

Plan objectives, depths, times, #divers, complete dive plan

Post dive complete cruise and dive report. Send to DDO

Ensure all members of dive party are current & authorised to dive

DIVE CHARTER AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONSAlldivingactivitythatfallsundertheauspicesoftheOtagoUniversitywillbeconductedwithcharteroperationsorwithtraininginstitutionsthatarereputableandmeetalltherelevantlegislativerequirementsintheircountryoforigin.

Figure 2: Dive operations summary

17

DIVE PARTY PERSONNELAlldiveactivitiesrequireateamofthree.ThiswillincludeaDiveSupervisorandaDiveteamoftwodiversasaminimum.

Eachdivepartyshouldincludeasurfacesupportpersoncapableofrenderingassistanceandenactingtheemergencyassistanceplanifrequired.ThesurfacesupportpersoncanbeeithertheDiveSupervisor,Diver,Diver’sattendantortheDivingActivitiesSupervisor(RefertoAS/NZS2299.1:2007).

EnsurethediversselectedhaveacurrentUniversityauthorizationtodive.Thebasicsafetyunitisthebuddysystem-twodiversworkingwithinvisualortactile(line)contact,oneofwhomisthedesignatedleader.Thiscontactmustbemaintainedduringthedivetoensurethatthesystemisoperatinganddiverscanassisteachotherinanemergency.Wherepossiblethe2-diverbuddysystemshouldbeusedas3personteamscanoftenleadtobuddyseparation.

Where3diversoperateasateamunderwateraleadershouldbeidentifiedduringthediveplanningstageandtakeresponsibilityfornavigationandmaintaininggroupcontact.

RISK ASSESSMENTWhenplanningadiveactivityafullassessmentofriskisrequired.Priortoanydivingtakingplacethehazardsrelatedtotheproposedactivitiesmustbeidentifiedandsuitablemeasuretomanagethehazardsmustbeinplaceandunderstoodbyallpersonsinvolved(ReferGuidelinestoOccupationalDiving2004,4.1).Thediveplanningrosterincorporatesatemplateforriskassessment.Refertootago.ac.nz/healthandsafety/Diving/index.htmlfortemplates(Appendix15).

DIVE PLAN/SInallcasesdiveplansmustbesubmittedtotheDDO.TheDDOwillforwardthediveplantotheUDOwhereUDOapprovalisrequiredpriortodivingtakingplace.DependingonthenatureofthedivingactivitythediveplanwillbeconsideredandapprovedbyeithertheDDOortheUDO(referTable1)(DiveplantemplatesarefoundintheAppendix16,and otago.ac.nz/healthandsafety/Diving/index.html

Alldiveplansmustbeapprovedinwritingpriortothedivetakingplace.AcopyofthediveplanwillbeprovidedbytheDDOtothevesselskipper.Ahardcopyofthediveplanmustbeavailableatanydivesitewheredivingistakingplace(thediverostercoversallnecessarydiveplanparametersrequired).

18 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

Diveplansmustinclude:

• Eventtitle• Vessel• Divinglogistics–Proceduresandplanningthathavebeencompletedtoensurethe

diverunssmoothly.Includesanyothercodesofpracticethatapply• Generaldescriptionofdivingactivities-Howthedivewillproceedontheday,

Equipmentchecks,buddysystems,supervision,navigation,andboatingorshoredivingprocedures

• Airmanagement–numbersoftanksrequired,tanksupplier(cleanair)• Planneddepthandbottomtime• Surfaceintervalsbetweendives• LocationandSitename• Sitedescriptionincludingprevailingweatherconditions,tidalimpacts,seabedtype,

entryandexitpoints,depthprofile,andwatertemperature• Objectives• Names,divequalifications,roleandemergencycontactsofmembersofthediveparty• EmergencyAssistancePlan–includingtheappropriatephonenumbersfor

evacuation,medicalassistanceandthenearestrecompressionchamber,firstaidequipment,oxygenandcommunicationsequipment

• Weatherconditionsthatwouldpreventdivingatthesite• Weatherforecast–includesswell,winddirectionandstrength,hightidetime,HT

height(tobeenteredonthedivelogonthedayofthedivefromthemostuptodateforecast).

Table 1: Approvals of dive plans

Dive Type Submit days prior UDO approves DDO approves

Routinelocaldives(Fiordland,Otago,StewartIsld 5 √

International 10 √

Antarctic/Arctic/UWHabitat 20 √

ScienceInstitutions 10 √

Charters 10 √

Contractors/Construction 10 √

Waivers 20 √

19

1. Dives off vessels:Somedepartmentsrequireacruiseplanwhileothersrequireafieldplanwhichincorporatesvesselactivities.BothoftheseneedtocomplywiththeUniversityofOtagofieldworkguidelines

otago.ac.nz/healthandsafety/news_links/

Submityourcruise/fieldplanwithyourdiveplanforapprovalasperyourdepartmentalrequirements

2. Shore dive – field plans: Submityourfieldplanwithyourdiveplanforapprovalasperyourdepartmentrequirements

3. Post-dive documentation and reporting:TheDiveRosteristheon-board/shorebasedrecordkeepingsystemthatrecordstheactualdiveactivitythattakesplace(ReferAppendix16).TheDiveSupervisorshouldcompletethediverosterinformationasthedayprogressesandsendtotheDDOassoonaspracticableascannedcopyafterthedivetripbutatleastwithinoneweekofyourreturn.

20 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

EQUIPMENTAlldivingatOtagoUniversityisundertakenonairusingself-containedbreathingapparatus.ReferAppendix3,4and5forfurtherinformationregardingequipment.

Duringallscubadivesdiversarerequiredtowear:

• Buoyancycompensatingdevice• Acompass• Adepthgauge(orcomputer)• Atimer(orcomputer)• Anappropriateexposuresuit–inDunedintwopiece7mmsuitwithhood,booties

andglovesordrysuit.WhereDrysuitsarewornspecificdivecheckskillsandapprovalisrequired(Appendix11)

• Avisualsignalingdevice(safetysausageorsimilar)• Acuttingdevice(diveknife,shearsorsimilar)• Mask• Fins• Snorkel• Regulatorwithapressuregaugeandtwoworkingsecondstages• Divecylinders

Allsnorkeldiversarerequiredtowear:

• Anappropriateexposuresuit–inDunedintwopiece7mmsuitwithhood,bootiesandglovesordrysuit.Wheredrysuitsareusedspecificdivecheckskillsandapprovalisrequired(Appendix11)

• Acuttingdevice(diveknife,shearsorsimilar)• Mask• Fins• Snorkel• Avisualsignalingdevice(safetysausageorsimilar)isausefulpieceofequipmentfor

snorkellorsandtheyareencouragedtocarryoneespeciallyinareaswithcurrents)

21

AIR MANAGEMENT Diversmustreturntothesurfacewithatleast300-500psi(50BAR)ofairintheirtanks.Diveplansshouldtakeintoconsiderationalldivemembersandtheirairconsumptionrates.

USE OF AIR COMPRESSORS TO FILL DIVE CYLINDERSAllpersonsusingacompressorforfillingdivecylindersarerequiredtoholdanapprovedfillerscertificationundertheHazardoussubstancesregulations2001.RefertotheDDOorUDOtofindoutdatesforcoursesincylinderfilling.Divecylindersrequireannualcertificationandcompressorsareairtestedquarterlytoensuretheairisclean.ThisequipmentismanagedbytheDDOsineachdepartment.

SAFETY STOPSAlldivesbelow10mshouldincludeasafetystopof3-5minutesat5m.

Extradeepstopsarerecommendedifdivingbelow20mandifgassupplyanddivelogisticsallow.Forexampleforadiveto25mastopat18mforthreeminutesfollowedbyastopat10mforthreeminutesandfinallyoneat5mforthreeminuteswillallownitrogentobeeliminatedmoreefficientlythansimplysurfacingtoasafetystopat5m.

MULTIDAY DIVE PLANNINGAftereveryfivedaysofdivingafulldayofrestwith no diving at allmustbeallowedfor.

22 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

CURRENT GOOD PRACTICE IN DIVINGBEFORE LEAVING FOR THE DIVE SITE1. Makesurethatthedivershavecheckedthattheyhavesufficient,safeandfunctioning

equipmentforthedive

2. Checkthatworktaskequipmentisoperational

3. Checkoperationofsafetyequipment(inparticularemergencyequipmentsuchastheresuscitator,theradiotelephoneandthesurfacesupportvessel)

4. Informauthoritiesthatcontrolwaterwaysofyourintentiontodive

5. Weatherforecast–checktheweatherforecastindicatesconditionsthataresuitableforsafediving.

AT THE DIVE SITE1. Checkdivesiteconditions:

a. surfaceconditions(aretheydeteriorating,improvingorstable,howdothey relatetotheforecastedconditions?)

b. entryandexitpoints c. trafficinthearea d. forboatdivescheckthedivesiteprofileusingthesounder

2. Checkthatdiverswishtodiveandarecapableofdivinginthelightofthepresentandthepredictedconditionsandtheindividualphysicalconditions.

3. Establishemergencyproceduressothat:

a. specifictasksaregiventothesurfacesupportpersonnelandthediversforusein emergencies

b. emergencysignalsareunderstoodbythesurfacesupportpersonneland thedivers,especiallyhandsignalsandrecallproceduressorapidretrievalofan

injuredorsickdivercanbemade c. facilitiesaremadeassuitableaspossibleforfirstaidassistanceandtherapid

evacuationoftheinjuredorsickdivertomedicalassistance d. communicationformedicaladvicecanbemadequickly.

DIVE BRIEFINGBriefthediveteamofthefollowing:

a. objectiveofthedive b. plannedtimeanddepthofdive c. individualtasksandresponsibilities(thepositionofdiveleadermustbeclearly

established) d. orientationandlocationofworksite(depth,directionandphysicalfeatures) e. terminationofdive(outlineconditionsthatwouldterminatethediveapartfrom

completingobjective,e.g.,nodecompressiontimelimit)

23

f. physicalandbiologicalhazards g. emergencyprocedures h. flexibilityofdiveplan i. communicationwithinthegroupandwiththesurfacesupport.

Checkthat:

1. thesurfacesupportpersonnelareinposition

2. thesurfacesupportequipmentisinpositionandfunctioningcorrectly,e.g.,flags,lights,linesandsupportboat.

Inparticular:

3. therecordkeeperhasacurrentrecordofeachdiverincludingexcessnitrogenloading(repetitivegroup)

4. anaccurate,functioningandcorrecttimingsystem

5. asetofDiveTables

6. thestand-bydiverisreadytodive

7. thesupportboatskipperisreadytoassist

8. wherepossible,underwaterandsurfacehazardshavebeeneliminatedorminimised

9. wherethereisapossibilitythatthediversmayexceedtheno-decompressionlimitorwhereprecautionarystopsaretobemade,thatthereisaspareregulatorandafullcylinderforeachdiver.Alazyshotmustalsobeprovidedifrequired

10. thediversareadequatelyequippedonenteringthewater.Thisincludesavisualcheckthattheyhaveacompensator,apressuregauge(withadequateairpressure)andsufficientandaccessiblequickreleasebuckles

11. ifthedivingplatformisonboardaship,thecaptainmustbeinformedsothatthevesseldoesnotuseequipmentorthecrewactinamannerthatmayinjurethedivers

12. Ensurethatatleastonepersoniswatchingforthedivers.Thischeckmustbemaintainedfromthetimethediversenteruntiltheyleavethewater

13. Checkthatthetimekeeperismaintainingadequateandcorrectrecordsandwillbeableto:

• informtheDiveSupervisorshouldadivercomewithin5minutesoftheno decompressionlimits

• informtheDiveSupervisorofthecurrentdepthandremainingtimeforadiver whoisdecompressing

14. Checkthatthesurfacesupportequipmentcontinuestofunctionthroughoutthedive

15. CheckthatconditionshavenotbecomesoadversethatdivingoperationsmustceaseDivingoperationsshouldceaseifthesiteisexposedtoseasofgreaterthanBeaufortForce4.

24 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

1. Checkwiththediversastheycomeonboardforinformationof:

a. changesinunderwaterconditionswhichcouldaffectsubsequentdives,e.g., changeinthespeedordirectionofacurrent

b. thesuccessinreachingtheobjectiveandanydeviationsfromtheplanthe physicalconditionofeachdiverandanyaccidentswhichoccurredunderwater.

2. Checkthediverecordsforaccuracy.

3. Havediversreportanyfaultyequipmentastheystoretheirgear–thiswillallowthemaximumtimeforrepairsorreplacement.

AFTER THE DIVE IS COMPLETED1. Checkthatalldivers(andsupportpersonnel)areonboardandreportanysymptoms

orsignswhichmayindicateillness.

2. Checkthatthediversarenotinvolvedinstrenuousworkandremaininshelteruntiltheyhavewarmedup.

3. Checkthat:

a. thedivingequipmentissecurelystored

b. surfacesupportequipmenthasbeencollectedandstoredandisnotpositioned soastoconfuseotherpeopleinthevicinity,e.g.,diveflagsmustnotbeflown whilevesselsareunderway.

4. Reportthecompletionofdivingtothebasethroughradio,telephoneetc.,andreportinonreturntobase.

Anydiveratanytimeforanyreasonshouldfeelcomfortabletodeclinetodiveiftheyfeeltheconditions,activityortheirfitnesswouldexposethemtoextrarisk.

Diversshouldberotatedtospendasmuchtimeaspossibleonthesurfacetoallowforthebestpossibleuseofdivetime.Thediveprofileshouldinvolvedescenttothegreatestdepthwithsubsequentdivetimespentworkingintoshallowerwater.Ascentsusingastagedprofileratherthanaverticalascenthavebeenshowntoreducebubblenitrogenformation.Thedeepestdiveofthedayshallbemadefirstandsubsequentdivesmadeintosuccessivelyshallowerwater.

Asfewdiversaspossibleshouldbeinthewateratanyonetime.Themorediversinthewater,themoredifficulttheoperationistohandle,andthemorelikelyareaccidents.

Afterarrivingatthedivesiteapairofdiversmaymakeapreliminarydivetoassessconditionsparticularlyatnewdivesitesorwhereconditionsaredifficulttoassess.

25

SIGNALLING SYSTEMSAlldiversanddivesupportpersonnelshouldbefamiliarwiththesignalsrelevanttotheirdivingactivity.Beforeenteringthewaterthediversshouldconfirmtherecallsignalandthesurfacedistressand‘OK’signalswiththesurfacesupport.TheInternationalCodeAflagmustbeflownwhendiversareinthewater.Thisflagshallbepositionedwithin200metresofthedivers.

Atnight,divingoperationsoffboatsmustbesignalledbytworedlightssetinaverticallinetwometresapartwithawhitelightinthemiddle,visiblefor3kilometres.Nightdivingfromshoreshoulddisplaytwowhitelightsinlineverticallyattheexitpoint.

AQUATIC ANIMALSItisimportantfordiverstounderstandthebehaviouralpatternsofanimalstheyarelikelytoencounterintheaquaticenvironment.Oftenignoringtheanimalwillresultinitleavingtheareaandenablingthedivertocontinuetheirwork.Ifadiverhasanyconcernastotheirsafetyorthesafetyofanyotherpersonwithregardstoaquaticanimalsatthedivesitethentheyshouldcalmlyleavethedivesite.

TheguidelinesforinteractingwithwildlifeinthemarineenvironmentduringUniversityofOtagofieldactivitiesisfoundinAppendix12.Pleasenotethisguidelineisnotexhaustive.

Diverspracticinggoodbuoyancyskillswillbeabletominimizeabrasionsandstings.Firstaidproceduresforstingsandabrasionsshouldbereviewedifyouaredivinginanewdivingenvironment.

ALTITUDE AND FLYING AFTER DIVINGAsageneralruleafterasingleno-decompressiondive,adivershouldnotflyuntiltheirrepetitivefactorhasdiminishedto1.0.Afterarepetitivediveoradecompressiondive,adivermustwait24hoursbeforeflying.

Whenreturningbycarfromsomedivesites,e.g.MilfordSoundandDoubtfulSounditwillbenecessarytotraversealtitudethataresufficientlyhightocausedecompressionsicknessifadiverhasrecentlyleftthewater.Diversmustnotleavesuchsitesunlesstheirrepetitivefactorhasdiminishedto1.0.

26 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

MAXIMUM DEPTH OF DIVESDivingundertheUniversityCodeofPracticeislimitedtoamaximumundertheGuidelinesforOccupationaldiving2004of:

• 30mforScientificdivingactivities• 39mforConstructiondiverswithappropriateCertificateofCompetency

Themaximumdepthforadivingoperationwilldependon:

1. theexperienceandfitnessofthedivers

2. thesupportfacilitiesavailable,suchasthepresenceofarecompressionchamber

3. thelocationofthedivesite.Thealtitudeorremotenessofthedivesitemaylimitthedivingoperations

4. externalfactors,suchaswhetherthediverswillbeflyingwithin12hoursofdiving.

ON-SITE DIVE PERSONNEL SAFETYDiversshallnotenterthewaterwithanyillness,injury,conditionormedicatedstatethathasthepotentialtoaffecttheirabilitytoundertaketheobjectivesofthedive,makesounddecisions,assisttheirbuddyasrequiredorcausethemexcessrisk.

Diversshallnotdrinkalcoholinthe12hoursbeforeadive,orfor8hoursafteradive.

Anymedicationsshouldbecheckedwithamedicaldoctortrainedinhyperbaricmedicinepriortoundertakingadive.Fulldisclosureofmedicationsmustbemadeduringthedivingexamination,tothedivesupervisorandtheDDO.

27

SURFACE SUPPORTThesurfacesupportpersonshould:

• Maintainawatchofdiversthroughoutthedivingactivity

• Supportdiversenteringandexitingthewater

• Understandtherequirementsoftheunderwateractivityorwork

• Haveanunderstandingofthediveplanincludingtheno-decompressionlimits,theentryandexitpoints,routebeingnavigated,andexpectedreturntime

• Becapableofrenderingfirstaidassistance

• Abletoenacttheemergencyassistanceplanincludinguseofemergencycommunicationsystems

• Understandandbeabletousesurfacesignals

• Haveaworkingknowledgeoftheequipmentinusefortheactivity

• Beabletogiveandrecognisethesurfacesignalsfor“OK”and“distress”

• Understandhowtoassistthediversonsurfacingandbecapableofassistinganincapacitateddiveroutofthewater

• Bepreparedtoabortthediveiftheirabilitytosupportthediversiscompromised.

ACCIDENT MANAGEMENTInanyscubadivingaccidentinwhichaninjuryhasoccurreditisnotnecessarytotrytodiagnosetheconditionbutrathertakekeystepsintheprovisionoffirstaid:

1. AssessAirway,breathingandcirculationaspercurrentfirstprotocols

2. Ifbreathingisnotpresentopentheairway

3. ProvideCPR

4. IfthereisanAEDavailableusetheAEDtomonitorheartrhythmandprovideshocksasrequired.

5. Callforhelpasperyouremergencyassistanceplan

6. Provideemergencyoxygenaspercurrentprotocol

7. Providefirstaidforsecondaryconditions–Bleeding,etc

6. Monitorforshock

Alldiveteammembersshouldhaveaworkingknowledgeofcurrentfirstaidandoxygenprotocols.Appendix9coversbasicfirstaidproceduresfordivingaccidents

Inallcasesofinjuryorillnessasaresultofdiving,medicaltreatmentshouldbesought.

28 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

ACCIDENT REPORTINGWhereadiversuffersphysicalinjuryorbecomesillorasaresultofdivingactivitiesorwhenanincidentoccurstheUDOshouldbeinformedimmediately.Examplesofincidentsinclude:equipmentmalfunctions,dangerousenvironmentalconditionsand‘nearmisses’.

AmeetingshouldbescheduledwiththeDDO,thedivesupervisorandtheUDOassoonapracticabletodiscusstheincidentandtoenterdetailsoftheeventintoVault.

Thetypeofinformationtobeenteredincludes:

1. name,age,divingroleofdiversinvolved

2. location,timeanddateofaccident/incident

3. natureoftheworkand/ortask

4. typeofaccidentandinjuriesand/orillnesssuffered

5. emergencyproceduresundertaken

6. firstaidadministered

7. equipmentinuse

8. environmentalconditionsatthetime

9. Subsequenttreatmentprovidedbymedicalpractitioner.

In the event of serious harm or a fatality the University Diving Officer must be informed immediately.

InsuchaneventtheUniversityhasalegalobligationtoreporttheincidenttotheMinistryofBusinessInnovationandEnterprise.TheHealthandSafetyOfficewillmanagetheinvestigationandanymediareleases.DependingontheseverityoftheincidentMBIEand/orthePolicewillconducttheformalinvestigationoftheincident.

29

DEFINITIONS

ADAS The Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme

Bottomtime Thetotalelapsedtimefromwhenadiverleavesthesurfacetothe timeadiverbeginstheirascenttothesurfacemeasuredinminutes.

Buddysystem Asystembywhichtwoormorediversmaintaincontactinorder thattheymaycommunicateandrenderassistancetooneanother.

Certificateof AcertificateissuedbyMBIEthatauthorisestheholdertodiveforcompetence rewardintheworkplace.

CombinedBottom Thebottomtimeofmorethanonediveaddedtogetherandtime treatedasasingledive.

CurrentLine Afloatinglinetrailingthesupportvesseltoassistdiversincurrents.

DAS DivingActivitiesSupervisor.ApersonqualifiedunderNZUAs systemasabletosupervisediversfromthesurface.

Decompression Divingwhichrequirestheuseofdecompressionstops.diving

Decompression Agenerictermforacuteillnessresultingwhenpathologicalillness consequencesarisefromdecompression.Thistermincludesboth ‘decompressionsickness’and‘gasexpansioninjuries’ofthelungs.

Decompressionstop Thespecifiedlengthoftimeadivermustspendataspecifieddepth, toallowfortheeliminationofsufficientinertgasfromthebody,to allowsafeascenttothenextdecompressionstoporthesurface.

Departmental ApersonwhoisresponsibleforthedaytodayrunningofaDivingOfficer Universitydepartment’sdivingoperations.

Directsupervision Whereadiveriswithinreachofanotherdiver.

Dive Timespentunderwateroronthesurfacebreathingthrough SCUBA,surfacesuppliedbreathingapparatusorasnorkel.

DiveSupervisor Aqualifiedpersonwhosupervisorsdiveoperationsatthedivesite.

Diver ApersonwhoperformsSCUBA,SSBAorSnorkeldiving.

Diving Theactofspendingtimeunderwateroronthesurface (snorkeling)toachievetheobjectivesoutlinedinthediveplan.

Divingevent Oneormovedivesthatarerelatedbypurpose,placeortimeto formaseriesofdives.

30 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

Divingteam Thegroupofpeople(divesupervisor,diver(s),andother personnel)whoarepresentatthesite,directlyinvolvedwiththe dive,responsiblefortheconductofthedivingoperation,and theavailabilityandconductofemergencyprocedures.

Effectivedepth Foradiveataltitude,thedepthofanequivalentdiveatsealevel.

FloatLine Abuoyantlineconnectingthedivertoavisiblefloatonthesurface ofthewaterenablingtheapproximatelocationofthedivertobe knownatalltimes.

FullScientificDiver AdiverwhopossessesacurrentLimitedCertificateofCompetency forScientificdivingthroughMBIE.

Improperdiving AnybehaviourthatfallsoutsidetheUniversityDivingCodeofconduct Practiceorrelevantlegislation.

Lifeline Alineattacheddirectlytoadiverthatisutilisedfor communicationandcapableofbeingusedtoretrievethediverin caseofemergency.

Medicalclearance AclearanceissuedbyDivingHyperbaricMedicineServicesin accordancewiththeMBIEGuidelinesforOccupationDiving.

MBIE MinistryofBusiness,InnovationandEmployment.

PADI TheProfessionalAssociationofDivingInstructors.

Provisional Adiverwhoisabletoconductdivesforresearchpurposesunder theScientificDiverdirectsupervisionofaFullScientificDiver.

QuickRelease AreliableoperatingmechanismthatenablestheimmediatereleaseMechanism ofadiver’sequipmentinasingleoperationwiththeuseofone hand.

Recompression Acompressionchamberusedinthetreatmentofdecompression chamberillnessandotherdivingmaladieswhichrequirestheuse ofdecompressionstops.

Reserveairsupply Thatquantityofairthatwillenableadivertoreturnsafelytothe surfacefromtheplanneddepthofthedive,completingany plannedsafetystops.

Residualnitrogen Nitrogenthatisstilldissolvedinadiver’sbodytissuesafterthe diverhassurfaced.

Scientificdiving Divingperformedforthepurposeofprofessionalscientific research,naturalresourcemanagementorscientificresearch.

SCUBA Selfcontainedunderwaterbreathingapparatus.

31

Shall Indicatesthatastatementismandatory.

Shotrope Areferenceroperunningverticallyfromthesurfacetoanattached weight.

Should Indicatesarecommendation.

Studentdiver ApersonenrolledasastudentattheUniversityofOtago undertakingdivingactivitiesinthecourseoftheirstudies.

Surfaceinterval Thetimethatadiverhasspentonthesurfacefollowingadive, beginningassoonasthediversurfacesandendingupon commencementofthediversnextdescent.

UniversityDiving ThepersonappointedbytheHODHealthandSafetytoprovideOfficer advice,supportandtrainingtoDDO’sandUniversitydiversto meettheUniversityDivingCodeofPracticerelevantstandards.

Visitingdiver AnypersonwhoisnotanemployeeoftheUniversityofOtago norastudentattheUniversityofOtagoandisatrainedand currentlycertifieddiveratanotherdivingorganisation,andis divinginassociationwiththeUniversityofOtago.

Volunteerdiver Anypersonwhoisdivingfororonbehalfofanyemployeeor student,orwhoisundertakinganydivingonbehalfofthe UniversityofOtago,andisreceivingnopayment.

32 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

APPENDIX 1: DIVING ENVIRONMENTSTEMPERATE DIVINGThermalprotectionshouldbeworninaccordancewiththetemperatureofthewater.ThefollowingwouldbeconsideredappropriatefordivinginNewZealandandsimilarenvironments:5mmtwopieceorsemi-dry5/7mmwetsuitwithahood(NorthIsland)and7mmtwopiecewetsuitorDrysuitwithahood(SouthIsland,StewartIsland).Inmostinstancesglovesarealsorecommendedforthesetemperatures.Careshouldbetakentokeepwarmbetweendives–wearahat,drinkwarmliquid,minimizethechanceofwindchill.

SUB-ANTARCTIC AND ANTARCTICDiversshouldrefertotheAntarcticNewZealandDivemanualforinformationregardingdivinginsub-zeroandnearzeroconditions.Sub-Antarcticislandseasurfacetemperaturesrangefromaround4oCto11oC.Temperatureatdepthcandroptojustabovezero.

RefertoTable1:Approvalsfordivingfortheapprovalprocessforsuchdives.

TROPICALDiversnotfamiliarwithdivingintropicalconditionsshouldconsulttheUDO,divecharteroperationsandotherswhohavesuchexperience.Particularareasofinterestwillbemanagingfirstaidofscrapsandcutsfromtropicalmarineinvertebratessuchascoralandjellyfish.Somediveoperationsrecommendwearingstingersuits(lycrafullbodysuits)inparticularareastopreventcoelenteratestings.Otherpossibleconditionstobeawareofarebluewaterinwhichrequiresexcellentbuoyancyskillstomaintaindiverpositioninthewaterandplanktonbloomswhichcancausezerovisibilitydivingconditions.

OVERHEAD ENVIRONMENTS: ICE, WRECK, CAVE AND CAVERN DIVINGDiversmusthavespecificendorsementontheirdivechecktobeabletodiveunderIce,inCavesandwithinwrecks.DiverswillhavetrainingspecifictosuchenvironmentsandshowproofofsuchtrainingandexperiencetothesatisfactionoftheUniversityDiveOfficerbeforeendorsementwillbegiven.

FIORD DIVINGAirtemperaturesintheFiordscanremaindeceptivelycooloverthespaceofadayduetothehighmountainsandthelowangleofthesun.Careshouldbetakentomaintaindiverwarmthonthesurfacebetweendives.

ThepresenceofafreshwaterlayeronthesurfaceoftheseawaterintheFiordsresultsinatanninstainedblurrylayerofwaterthatisdifficulttoseethrough.Duringdescentsandascentsdiversshouldstayclosetotheirbuddyanddivegroupduetothemarkedchangeinvisibilitythroughthislayer.

OftendivingintheFiordsinvolvesdivingonverticalwallsandinclearvisibility.Theseconditionsintroduceanadditionalhazardofrunawaydescents.Particularcareshouldbepaidtobuoyancycontrol.

33

DIVING FROM ROCKY SHORESThemajorhazardsdivingaroundrockyshoresaretheeffectofsurgeduetoswellonadiverparticularlyinshallowwater.Thesehazardswillbemorenoticeableonrockypromontoriesandareasexposedtoprevailingseasandwhereaswellofmorethanhalfameterispresent.Ontheshorelinesofrockyridgesandchannelstherecanbeaconsiderableriseandfallinswellheights.

Entryandexitpointsinparticularshouldbecarefullychosentominismisetheeffectofwhitewaterduetosurgeonadiver.Iftherearenosafeentryandexitpointsthediveshallbecancelleduntilconditionsimprove,oranothermethodofaccessbeused,suchasdivingfromaboat.

Withuneventerrainandslipperysurfaces,scubaequipmentshouldbeputonasclosetothewater’sedgeaspossible.Thefinalmovementtotheentrypointmayneedtobemadebycrawlinguntilthewaterisdeepenoughtostartswimming.

Entrypointsonslopingrockyshoresshouldbechosenwithrockyoutcropsbehindwhichdiverscanshelterfrombreakingwaves.Diversshouldenteroneatatimeandswimbeyondthesurfzonebeforethebuddyentersthewater.Entryfromarockplatformabovethewatershouldbemadewhenasetofsmallwavesoccur.Asthewavessurgeandreachtheirpeakontheplatformface,thedivershouldrollforwardfromaseatedpositionintothewatertakingcaretoavoidanysubmergedrocks.Thedivershouldswimbeyondthesurgezoneassoonastheentryhasbeenmade.

Entryandexitfromchannelsshouldbeavoidedwheneverpossible.Ifanentryistobemadeitshouldoccurwhenthechannelsurgereachesitsmaximumheightsothatthedivercanswimoutwiththebacksurge.Assuccessivewavesmoveintothechannelthedivershouldholdontotherocks,submerge,lettingthewaveflowoverhead,andswimwiththebackwash.

Onceoutsidethesurgezonethediversshouldmakeafinalsurfacecheckbeforediving.Aslittletimeaspossibleshouldbespentonthesurfacesincewaveactionwillbegreatestonorjustbelowthesurface.

Whenreturningtotheshorethediversshouldexitoneatatimewiththerestofthediverswaitingoutsidethesurgezonereadytogiveassistance.

Onslopingrockyshoresthedivershouldswiminontheswell,holdingontorocksduringperiodsofbackwash.Whenthewaterbecomestooshallowtoswim,thedivershouldkeephisorhercentreofgravitylowbycrawlinguntilclearofthewater.Whenexitingontoarockplatformoroutofachannel,thedivershouldholdontothewallasthesurgereachesitspeakandclimbfurtherwitheachupsurgeuntilclearofthewater.

Diveequipmentshouldremaininplaceuntilthediveriswellclearofthesurgezone.Finsandmaskinparticularshouldnotberemovedprematurely.

34 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

DIVING FROM SANDY SHORESBeachdivingcanbehazardousinheavysurfconditions.Entriesandexitsshouldbemadefromtheleastexposedsectionofthebeach–ifsuchasiteexists.

Whiledecidingonentryandexitpointsacheckshouldbemadeonthesurfpatterntoestablishifregularsetsofsmallerwavesoccur.Ripcurrentsshouldalsobeidentified.Theyareusuallyvisibleasanarrowbandofreducedwaveheightsofmorediscolouredwaterthanthesurroundingsea.Thepresenceandlocationofthesecurrentsonabeachwilloftenvaryfromdaytoday.

Thedivers,fullygearedupincludingfins,shouldwaitatthewater’sedgeforasetofsmallerwavestoform.Theyshouldwalkbackwardsintothesurfuntilthewaterisdeepenoughtoswimout.Acrouchpositionwiththebacktothewavesandthemaskheldonthefaceshouldbeusedwhenwavesbreakoverthediver.Ifthediverisknockedoveracrawlpositionshouldbeusedtoreachdeepwater.Onceitisdeepenoughtosubmergethediversshouldswimbeyondthesurfzonestayingasclosetothebottomaspossible.

Aswithalldivesitisimportantfordiverstotakeacompassbearingpriortoenteringthewater.Thiswillpreventtheneedforsurfacingtore-orientateafterentry.Ifhoweverthediversareunsureoftheirorientationtheycansurface,reorientatethemselves,checktheirequipmentandtheirbuddyandbeginthedive.

Extraequipmentshouldbetowedouttoensurethediverdoesnotbecomeentangled,andwhenreturningtotheshoreitshouldbeallowedtostreaminfrontofthediver.

Dependingonthetypeofscientificequipmentbeingusedfordatacollectiondiverscancarryitwiththemortowit.

Ripcurrentsshouldbeavoided.Ifthediveriscaughtinoneoftheseheorsheshouldswimwithitoratrightanglestotheflow,orfloatuntilthecurrentdisperses,moveswimperpendiculartothecurrentandthenswimbacktotheexitpoint.

Whenreturningtotheshorethediversshouldsurfacebeyondthesurfzoneandswimthroughitonthesurface.Onreachingwatertooshallowtoswimthediversshouldcrawlupthebeachuntilwellclearoftheswell.Onlythenshouldtheystanduporremovetheirequipment.

DIVING IN CURRENTSConsiderationofthetidetimesandheightsiscriticaltoformagooddiveplanthatminimizesthechanceofexhaustionandmaximizestheabilitytocompletethedivesobjectives.

Wherecurrentsareduetotidalinfluences(forexample,atnarrowentrancestolargeharbours)divesshouldbeplannedtocoincidewithslackwater.Slackwaterdoesnotnecessarilyoccurathighorlowtide.TherelevantchartstheLINZwebsitemaygivecurrentspeedsandslackwaterperiodsforthedivesite

35

Thedirectionoftravelinacurrentdivewilldependonthesurfacesupportavailableandtheboattype.Whendivingwithatendervesselitisoftenmostpracticaltoswimwiththecurrentwiththeboatfollowingyourbubbletrailandavailabletopickyouuponsurfacing.

Ifdiversaredivingwithoutboatsupport(notrecommendedinmediumtostrongcurrents)itisalwaysadvisabletoswimintothecurrentandhalfwaythroughthedivetimeorairtimecompletea180degreeturntocompletetheremainderofthedivewiththecurrentstream.Thisminimizesthechanceofexhaustion.

Incurrentsofgreaterthanoneknotdiverscannoteffectivelyworkupcurrentforverylong.Ifthecurrentislessthanoneknotandthesupportvesselisanchored,thediversshouldswimintothecurrent,surfaceupstreamoftheentrypoint,andfloatbacktowardsit.

Whendivesarebeingmaderegularlyinanareaofstrongcurrents,permanentjackstaysormechanicaldevicessuchascreepersshouldbeusedtoassistthediversinmovingabouttheworksites.

Itisimperativethatthesurfacewatchremainvigilantthroughoutthedive.Astrongcurrentcanforcethediverstosurfaceprematurelyandcansweepthemclearoftheworkarea.

Whenthesupportvesselisanchoredduringadive,theanchorlineshouldbebuoyedwithafloat.Shouldanemergencyarisetheanchorlinecanbejettisonedandretrievedlater.

Thereshouldalsobeabuoyedlineasternofthevesselsothatdiversswimmingbacktotheboatcanswimtothelineiftheymissthevessel.

Safetystopsinslighttomediumcurrentsmayrequireextraweightontheshotline.

Wheredecompressionstopsmustbemadeinstrongcurrentsthestopsshouldbemadefromthesupportvesselasitdriftswiththecurrent.Ifthisisnotsatisfactorystopsshouldbemadeonbuoyedlinesdriftingwiththecurrent.Thesebuoysmustbelargeenoughtotaketheweightofthediversandbeasvisibleaspossible.Ifmorethanonepairofdiversismakingasafetystop,severalshotlinesandbuoysshouldbeused.Priorplanningmustensurethebuoysandthesupportvesselremainasclosetogetheraspossible.

DIVING IN LOW OR ZERO VISIBILITYIfthesurfacevisibilityisexpectedtodecreasebecauseofrain,fogorsquallyconditions,thediversshouldtowprogressfloatsandbefollowedbyasupportvessel.Whenvisibilityislessthan1metrehorizontalorverticaldivingshouldcease.

Whendivinginlowvisibilitywaterinwhichvisualcontactisofdifficultdivershouldconsiderusingalifelinesorbuddyline.

Wherepossibleshotlinesandjackstaysshouldbelaidtoassistthedivers’orientation.IflifelinesorbuddylinesarenotsuitablediverscanapplytotheUDOforapprovaltodivesolo.Approvaltodivesoloisgrantedforaspecificdiveandaspecifieddiver.

Inzerovisibilityconditions,sonicdevicesisanadvantagebecausetheysignalthatadiver’sairsupplyislow.

36 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

APPENDIX 2: DIVING ACTIVITIES DIVING FROM BOATSWhendecidingonthetypeandsizeofthesupportvesselconsiderationmustbegiventotheenvironmentalconditionsandsurfacesupportneeds,aswellasthedivers’requirements.Acockpitisrecommendedtoprovideshelterforthedivers.Whereguardsarenotfitted,thepropellermustbestoppedwheneverdiversenterorleavethevesselorwhenthepositionofadivernearthevesselisuncertain.

Thevesselshouldbestable,buoyantandpreferablyhaveexternalhandholdsclosetothewater.

LargeVesselsshouldcarryadivingtenderiftheirmanoeuvrabilityispoor,oraccesstoandfromthevesselfordiversisdifficult.Thelaunchingmethodforthetendermustbesafeandrapid.

SmallVessels(6metresorless)shouldoperatealonenofurtherthanmaritimeRulesPart20definingtheEnclosedWaterLimits,andtheareasofthe“Inshorelimits”andtheoperatingareasspecifiedbytheSafeShipManagementPlans.OperationsoutsideharboursorestuariesmaynotbeconductedinDinghy-Classvessels.TheCodeofPracticeforOperaitnoofsmallvesselsprovidesfurtherdetailRefer:otago.ac.nz/healthandsafety/policies_manuals_guidelines/codes/smallboat/index.html

Anexperiencedskippershouldberesponsibleforthevessel.TheskippershouldholdaDivingActivitySupervisorqualificationorhaveequivalentknowledge,skillsandexperienceasdeterminedbytheDiveOfficer.

Diversmustnotlingernearthesurfacewhenvesselsarecloseby.

Whereguardsarenotfitted,thepropellermustbestoppedwheneverdiversenterorleavethevesselorwhenthepositionofadivernearthevesselisuncertain.

Diversmustnotlingernearthesurfacewhenvesselsarecloseby.

Diversshouldbeapproachedfromdownwindordowncurrentwhicheverisstronger,particularlywhenusinginflatables.

Diversshouldneverenterthewaterfromlargevesselswhichareunderway.Ifdiversmustenterthewaterwhenthevesselisunderway,suchaswilloccurontrawldives,theentryshouldbemadefromasmalltender.

Thissectionassumesthatdiversareawareofthenormalsafetyproceduresforuseofsmallboatssuchasseating,safeloading,stowageofdivegearetcandthiswillnotbecoveredindetailhere.AllboatusemustconformtotheUniversityofOtagovesselsupportsafeoperatingplan.

Itistheresponsibilityoftheboatoperatortoensurethattheboatisanchoredinanapprovedmannerwhereapplicable.

37

AdiveflagMUSTbeflownatalltimesthatdiversareinthewater.

Aftertheboatisanchoredormoored,andafterdivershavecompletedasafetycheck,diversshouldenterthewaterwheninstructedbytheDiveSupervisororboatoperator.Thetankpressureofeachdivershouldbenotedatthistime.Theboatoperatormustbeadvisedofthediveplanandknowwhereandwhendiverscouldbeexpectedtoberesurfacing.

Exitingtheboatshouldbebythesafest,easiesttechnique,usuallybyrollingbackwardsfromsmallerboats,strideentryoffplatforms,orbyuseofaladderonlargeboats.

OnceadiverhasenteredthewaterheorsheshouldgivetheOKsignalandswimawayfromtheimmediateareaofentryandjoinwiththeirbuddydiver,especiallywhenotherdiversarewaitingtoenterthewater.Buddydiversmayfinditconvenienttoenterthewaterfromoppositesidesoftheboatatthesametime.

Toassistdiverswhogetbehindtheboatandcannotswimagainstthecurrentitisadvisabletohavea50-100mpolypropylenelinetrailedfromthesternwithahighlyvisiblefloatattheend.Diverscaughtbehindthevesselcansimplyswimtothelineandpullthemselvesorbepulledback.

Exitingthewatershouldbedonequicklyandsmoothlyandgenerallybyonediveratatime.Handupanyauxillaryequipment,thenweightbelt.Onsmallerboatsitisoftenmoreconvenienttoremovetanksandcompensatorswhileinthewaterandpassthesetoapersonintheboat.Ifthisisnotconvenientthanaropewithasnapshackleattachedhangingofftheboatisalsoaconvenientplacetoattachgear,whichcanberetrievedoncedivershaveleftthewater.Whereverpossibleadiveladderorplatformshouldhangintothewatertoassistentryandexit.Somediversprefertotakeofffinsbeforeleavingthewateronaladder,othersprefertoremovethemintheboat.Diverswaitingtoexitshouldstayawayfromtheladdertoavoidinjuryifadiverfallsbackwards.

Divesupervisors,skippersandothersonboardshouldpayparticularattentiontotheneedsofdiversreturningtotheboatandboardingtheboatasthisisthetimewhenmostdiveincidentsoccur.OncediversareaboardtheDiveSupervisor,orifappropriatetheboatoperatorshouldascertainthediveprofileinformationfromeachdiverincludingtankpressure,maximumdepthandbottomtimeandenterthisinformationonthediveroster.

Oncealldivershavereturnedtothevesselitmaybenecessarytohavearollcalltocheckthateveryonehasreturned,especiallyforlargerdivingparties.

38 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

SOLO DIVINGSolodivingisnotacceptedpracticeforscientificdivingactivitiesbutthereareoccasionswhenitisnecessary.SolodivingmaybepermittedincertaindivingconditionsandinexceptionalcircumstancesandisatthediscretionoftheUDO.

Forsolodivingtobepermitted,theremustbe:

1. 2-waycommunicationbetweenthediverandthesurface

2. thediveristetheredtothesurface

3. astand-bydiverreadytoassistatimmediatenotice

4. Adivesupervisorispresentandincontrolofactivities

5. aconservativedivepatterntocompensatefortheincreasedhazardtothediver.

Tendereddiverscanbesignalledbyunderwatercommunicationssystemsorropesignals.

LIFE LINE DIVING1. Buddylinesandsurfacefloatsorlifelinesarerecommendedforuseinlowvisibility

conditions.Linedivingisnotrecommendedinareaswherethelinemaybecomesnaggedonunderwaterobstacles

2. Alllifelinedivesrequireasurfacestand-bydiverreadytodiveimmediatelyatnotice

3. Signalsandproceduresshouldberevisedbythedivingteamandthesurfacesupportpersonnelbeforethedivingoperationbegins

4. Linesshouldbecheckedforwearandtearbeforeuse.Careshouldbetakentoensurethatlifelineswillrunoutsmoothlyduringthedive

5. Beforethediverentersthewatertheinboardendofthelifelinemustbesecurelyattachedsothatitcannotbelostoverboard

6. Thedivermustbetiedtothelinebyabowlinearoundthechestunderanyequipmentwhichmaybejettisonedorclippedonwithacarabiner–typecliptoastrongD-ringonaharnessorcompensatingdevice.Thelifelinemustnotbeuntiedfromeitherenduntilthediverhasleftthewater

7. Ifusingajacket-typecompensator,caremustbetakentoprevententanglementwiththebuddylinewhenequipmentisbeingditched

8. Thedivershoulddescendfeetfirsttominimiseentanglementwiththelifeline

9. Boththediverandstand-bymustwearaknife

10. Theattendantmustkeepthelifelineinhandatalltimesduringthediveensuringthatthelineisheldtightenoughtoreceivethediver’ssignalwithoutundulyrestrictingthediver’smovements

39

11. Alllifelinesignalsmustbeacknowledgedbythereceiver.Iftheacknowledgmentisnotgiven,orisincorrect,thesendermustrepeatthesignaluntilthecorrectacknowledgmentisgiven.Floatlinesignalsareusuallynotacknowledgedbythesurfacepersonnel.

LIFE LINE MARKINGS1. Lifelinesshouldnotbemorethan50metresandarerecommendedtobe8mm

floatingcordage

2. Thelineshouldbemarkedfromthediver’sendbyaredbandforevery15metrelength.Thusat45metres,3bandsshouldoccur

3. Each15metrelengthshouldbesubdividedinto3metrelengthsbyayellowbandforeachmultipleof3metres.Thus,the21metrelengthwouldbemarkedby2yellowbandsplaced6metresaboveoneredbandat15metres.

NIGHT DIVINGItisrecommendedthatnightdivesshouldonlybeundertakeninareasofcalmseasandnilorslightwindandcurrent.Afullmoonandclearskieswillassistthesurfaceorientationofthediversandthesupportpersonnel.

Thepreparationforthediveshouldbecompletedduringdaylightandincludeathoroughgearcheckandanorientationdiveonthesite.

Ifdivinginaharbouroranarearegularlyusedbyvesselstheappropriatecontrollingauthorityshouldbecontactedsothattrafficintheareacanbeinformedofthedivingoperation.Nightdivingintheseareasshouldbeavoidedwheneverpossible.

Beforedivingcommencesthered-white-reddivingsignalshouldbeilluminated.

However,inareaswherenosurfacetrafficoccurs,adistinctivehominglightmaybeusedinstead.

Thegearingupareashouldbewelllit.

Thepositioningoflightssimilartoleadinglightsinharbourswillassistdiversandsurfacesupportpersonneltoorientatethemselveswhentravellingtoandfromthebaseandthedescentandascentpoints.

Eachdivermustcarrytwolights.Athirdlightsource(chemicalglowstickorstrobe),awhistleorotheraudiblesignalingdeviceandluminousgaugesshouldalsobeused.

Thestandardhandsignalscanbeusedatnightbyilluminatingthehandwithatorch.Inadditiontothesesignals,movingthetorchrapidlyupanddownindicatesthatthediverneedsassistance;movingthetorchinacircleindicatesthatthediverisallright.

Ifthediversdescendorascendinopenwatertheyshoulddosoonshotlines.

40 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

Wherepossiblediversshouldswimalongtransectlinesand,especiallyifnotontransects,theyshouldtowilluminatedprogressfloats.

Ifusingasupportvesselitshouldshowadistinctivelightatalltimestoidentifyitspositionandcarryanilluminatedfloat,shotlineandshotforuseasadatummarkerifrequired.Addtwoallaroundwhitelights(alphalights).

Onsurfacingthediversmustindicatetheirposition(usingtorchesand/orwhistles),identifythemselvestothesurfacesupportpersonnelandreceiveanacknowledgment.Aswhistlingorshoutingwillnotgenerallybeheardoverthenoiseofthesupportvessel’sengine,themotorshouldbeusedsparingly.Thediversmustleavetheirtorchesonwhileonthesurfacetoidentifytheirpositiontothesupportvessel.

DEEP DIVES (DIVES FROM 18 TO 30 METRES)Thereareparticularhazardswhendeepdivingbecausethenarcoticeffectofdissolvednitrogencancausealossofjudgement,memory,senseoftimeandconcentration.Proceduresrelyingonthesequalitiesshouldbeminimisedwhenplanningdeepdives.Thediveplanshouldhaveasimpleobjectiveandincludeaprocedureforadecompressionstop.

Theincidenceofnitrogennarcosiswillvaryfromindividualtoindividualandfromdivetodive;however,theeffectsusuallydecreasewithsubsequentdives.“Workup”divesshouldbemadebeforedeepdivesareattempted.Thisprocedurewillreducenitrogennarcosissensitivityanditalsoincreasesdivingfitness.

Accidentsthatreducecirculation(forexample,aprevious“bend”orrecentheavybruising)maymakethedivermoresusceptibletodecompressionsicknessondeepdives.

Carbondioxidebuild-upincreasesthesusceptibilitytonitrogennarcosis.Breathingresistanceduetotheincreaseddensityofairatdepthisamajorcontributortocarbondioxideretention.Regulatorswithahighairflowcapability,suchasthosewithbalancedfirststages,arerecommendedfordeepdives.

Compressedairmayhaveexcessivelevelsofcarbonmonoxide;indicationsrangefromanoilytastewhenbreathedtopersistentheadachesafterdives.Contaminatedairshallnotbeusedatanytime.

Heavyexertionunderwatershouldbeminimised.Suitcompressionatdepthwillincreaseexertionunlesscountered.Thepracticeofremoving2to3kilogramsofweighttooffsetbuoyancylossisnotrecommended.Thereductionofweightmayreduceexertionatdepthbutitmakesstaticdecompressionatshallowdepthsdifficult.Suitcompressionshouldbecounteredbytheuseofabuoyancycompensatorwithanairinflationsystem.

Carbondioxidebuild-upislikelywhendivingincurrentsandthisshouldbeavoidedwhendeepdiving.Orientationisamajorproblemespeciallyifthediverhasnarcosis.Goodvisibilityisimportant,especiallywhenthediverisinmidwatersearchingfortheseabedorsurface.

41

Wherepossiblethedivershouldascendanddescendonaverticalrockfaceorshotline.Goodbuoyancyaroundfinesedimentslopesisimportanttominimizetheeffectofparticlesinthewateronvisibility.Shotlinesortransectsarestronglyrecommendedfordeepdivesinreducedvisibility.Thedivermustremainincontactwiththelineatalltimeswhendivingintheseconditions.

Ingoodvisibility,divingonrockfacesispreferabletodivesonshotlines.Shotlinesareoftendifficulttofindwhenthediverbeginsanascent,particularlyifthereisacurrentrunningorthedivermovesoutofthevisibilityrangeoftheline.Thisbecomesapotentialproblemifachancefactorcausesthediverstooverstaytheirtimeandtheymustdecompressbynecessity.

Roughsurfaceconditionswillmakestaticdecompressionstopsdifficult.ThereforeseastatesgreaterthanBeaufortForce4shouldbeavoidedwhendeepdiving.

Thediveprofileshouldbeconservative,preferablyadirectdescenttothegreatestdepthandtherestofthedivespentworkingbacktothesurface.

Gaugesshouldbecheckedregularlyduringthedive.Thediversmustensurethattheystayshallowerthanthediveplan’smaximumdepthandhavesufficientairforan18metreperminuteascentandaprecautionarystop.Itisstronglyrecommendedthatnochangetothediveplanbemadeunderwatertoincreasethedepthortimeofadeepdive.Ifseveresignsorsymptomsofnarcosisoccurunderwaterthediversmustascendimmediately–the“workup”divescheduleshouldberepeatedormodifieduntilthenarcoticeffectisminimised.

Beforethediverssurfaceasafteystopshallbemadeat5metresfor3minutes.Thesurfacesupportvesselshouldpositionitselfovertheascentarea.Alazyshotfordecompressionstopsshouldbepositionedamidshipsandmarkedat3metreintervalstoadepthof12metres.

DIVING BELOW 30 METREAlldivingbelow30metresisrestrictedtocontractorsonlyandaspertheOccupationalDivingGuidelinesforthetypeofdivingbeingundertaken.DIVING AROUND INTERNATIONAL PORTSDivingroundinternationalportsengendersspecificconsiderationsinplanning.

Diverswillneedtocheckthefollowingaspectsofthediveplan:

• Approvalfromtheportauthority• Acopyofthediveplanwillberequiredbytheportauthority• Considerationofshippingmovement• Documentationrequiredbytheportauthority–suchasdriver’slicencesofthe

divingpartyincludingsupportstaff

Skippersshouldcalltheportauthorityforclearancetobeginthedive,uponenteringthewaterandoncethediveactivityiscompletedandthediversareoutofthewater.

42 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

DIVING ON STRUCTURESDivingonunderwaterstructuresrequiresacombinationofspecialtechniquesthatwillvaryconsiderablybetweenstructuresandwillbedependentonthedivingexercise.

Thethreetypesofstructuresthatwillbemostcommonlydivedonarebridges,wharvesanddams.

Thedivingtasksmayincludeinspections,underwatersurvey,searches,maintenanceandrecovery.

Divingaroundstructuresmustbeplannedcarefullyastheremaybevariousunknowndebristhatmaytraporentangleadiver.Indams,thediversmustbesurethatwaterflowsintunnels,outletsandinletsarenotchangedwhiletheyareinthewater.WithrespecttothisaspectthecorrectproceduresasoutlinedinTheSupervisor’sChecklistmustbefollowedexplicitly.

Structuresmaybelocatedinfreshorsaltwater.Adjustmenttobuoyancymayberequiredandaltitudeanddecompressionrequirementsmustbeconsidered.

Strongcurrentsoftenoccuraboutbridges,wharvesanddams,andwhileflowsarounddamscanberegulated,diversmustalwaysbeawareoftheriskofbeingsweptaway.Thecurrentsaboutthesestructuresarealsoresponsiblefortransportinglargequantitiesoffinesedimentwhichmayaccumulateintheeddiesaroundpilesorinfrontofdams.Diverswillquicklystirtheseupandcausethevisibilitytodeteriorate.Whilethebuddysystemisbestforsafety,poorvisibilitymaymeanthat2solo

diversarerequired.Inthesesituationsasingletethereddivermaybeusedbutthepossibilityofthediver’slifelinebecomingtangledarounddebrismustbeconsidered.Adiver-to-diver,diver-to-surfaceumbilicalcordmayenablegoodcommunicationsbutalsoincreasesthechancesofentanglement.Wirelessunderwatercommunicationsystemsareavailableatconsiderablecostandprovidediverswiththefreedomtheyareaccustomedto.Howeveranentangledordistresseddiverusingthisequipmentinlowvisibilitywithoutalifelinewillbedifficulttofind.

LIFTING OF OBJECTSShouldanobjectdisplacingmorethan5kgofwaterberaised,thenaliftbagmustbeused.Diversshouldbetrainedinorexperiencedinusingliftbags.

Theliftingofheavyobjectsfromtheseabedcanbeapotentiallyhazardousexercise,especiallyifthediverisusingeithertheirBCDordrysuittolifttheobject.IfthediverwastoletgoofaheavyobjectwhileusingtheirsuitorBCDasaliftingdevice,thenthedivercouldbecomeextremelypositivelybuoyantandrapidlyrisetothesurface.Thisrapidascentcanleadtoalungoverinflationinjuryorevendeath.Thefallingobjectcanalsoposeasignificantrisktoanyotherdiverorequipmentdirectlybelow.

43

POWER TOOL USEDiversmustholdanOccupationalCertificateofCompetencyintheconstructionclasstousepowertoolsunderwater(ReferOccupationalDivingguidelines2004).

FULL FACE MASK AND UNDERWATER COMMUNICATIONSSpecificapprovalisrequiredaspartofthedivecheckfordiverstouseFullfacemasksandunderwatercommunications.TrainingwiththeUniversityDiveOfficerorequivalenttrainingwithanotherorganisationisrequiredpriortothedivecheckoutskillsbeingassessed(ReferAppendix11).

DRYSUITSSpecificapprovalisrequiredaspartofthedivecheckfordiverstousedrysuits.SpecifictraininginProofofdrysuittrainingcoveringtheskillsinthedrysuitcheckoutscheduleand/orequivalentexperienceisrequiredpriortothecheckoutdive(ReferAppendix11).

44 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

APPENDIX 3: EQUIPMENTGuidelinesfordivingequipmentaregiveninAS/NZS2299:1:1999Occupationaldivingoperations,Part1:Standardoperationpractice.

Therequirementfortheuseofsafetyequipmentmayvarywiththedivingconditionsandthetypeofdivetobemade.

45

APPENDIX 4: SCUBA DIVER’S EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST~ Mask,Snorkel,Fins

~ Exposureprotection:Wetsuit,Drysuit(undergarments,secondLPIinflator),Hood,Gloves,booties–appropriateforconditions

~ Weightsystem–weightbelt,weights,harness,integratedweightpocketsetc

~ Bouyancycompensatingdevice

~ Scubatanks

~ Regulatorwithtwosecondstages

~ *Timer–watch,bottomtimer

~ *Depthgauge

~ *Submersiblepressuregauge

~ Anairintegratedcomputermayfulfillthefunctionsoftheabovethreeitems.

~ Compass

~ DCIEMDivedecompressiontables(waterproofed)

~ Signallingdevice–audibleand/orvisible(safetysausage)

~ Knife,Shears

~ Logbook–hardcopyoflasttendives

~ Torch(asrequired)

~ Slate(asrequired)

~ Spareskit–o-rings,batteries,straps,mouthpiece,cabletiesetc

46 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

APPENDIX 5: SCUBA EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE CHECKLISTAttheendofeachday’sdivingtheequipmentshouldbewashedinfreshwater.Commercialdetergentstocleandivegearareavailablefromyourlocaldiveshop.Dryingandstorageshouldbeinacooldryareawhereaircancirculate.Siliconspraywillincreasethedurabilityofrubberparts,butshouldnotbesprayedonrubberincontactwithbucklesorthesecondstageoftheregulator.Thefollowingspecificchecksshouldbemadeduringthewashingprocedure,thusallowingmaximumtimeforrepairsorreplacement.

MASK• stretchtherubberstrapandlookforcracks,especiallyaroundthebuckle• checkthattheglassplatesealingringissecure• ifapurgevalveispresentcheckthatithasnotperished.

SNORKEL• checkthatthemouthpieceisfirmlyattachedtothetube• checkthemouthgripsforwear.

FINS• checkforcracksintheheelstrap,aroundthetoepocketandtheblade• ensurethebuckleofthefinstrapissecure.

EXPOSURE SUIT• Thesuitshouldbestoredflatorhungonabroadcoathanger.Repairstocutsand

seamsplitsshouldbemadeassoonaspossible• checkthatthezipsmovefreely,lubricatewithsiliconspray• inparticularcheckthearmpits,crotchandkneesforabrasionsandcuts• donotputheavyequipmentonthesuit• lubricatetheinflation/deflationvalvesandsealsindrysuitswithsiliconspray.

BUOYANCY COMPENSATING DEVICE• ServicingoftheBCDshouldbedoneatleastannuallybyaqualifiedservicing

technician.TheremaybetimeswhentheBCDrequiresmorefrequentservicingforrepairsorifitisnotinflating/deflatingefficiently

• Thecompensatorshouldberinsedinsideandoutandstoredpartiallyinflated• checkandlubricatetheinflation/deflationsystem• pressurereliefvalve.

KNIFE• checkthesheathforcracks,especiallyatthetopofthepocket• thatthelockingdeviceorretainingringandthestrapsarenotperished• checkthebladeforrust,especiallywherethebladejoinsthehandle• thatitissharp.

47

GAUGES• Allmechanicalgaugeshavedelicatemechanismsthatmustbeprotectedfrom

severeknocks.Pressuregaugesanddecompressionmetersshouldnotbecarriedinunpressurisedaircraftwithoutprotection

• Gaugesmustbeservicedaccordingtothemanufacturer’sservicespecificationsatleastannually.Depthgaugeswithreadingerrorsgreaterthan+2.5percentorpressuregaugeswitherrorsgreaterthan+5percentmustberepairedbeforeuseGaugeswithcalibrationerrorsshouldnotbeusedunlesstheerrorisclearlymarkedontheface

• Gaugeswithanyrustingorfloodingmustnotbeused• Computersshouldhavesufficientbatterylifeforthediveevent.

LIGHTS• standarddrycellbatteriesshouldnotbestoredintorches• ifthebulbisdarkorhasgreyareasitshouldbereplaced• nickelcadmiumbatteriesshouldbefullydischargedbeforerecharging• stretchtheOringswhilelookingforcracks.Lubricatetheringlightlywithsilicon

grease.

BACKPACK• checkthebacksupportisnotcracked• ensurethatthelockingdevice• onthewaistandshoulderstrapslocksandworksfreely• thetankbandissecure,andcheckthatthewingnutsandscrewsattachingtheband

tothebacksupportarealsosecure.

SCUBA CYLINDERS• Allscubacylindersmustbehydrostatedevery2years• Allcylindersmustreceiveaninternalvisualinspectionannually• Whenstoringthecylinderforseveralmonthsitshouldbeplaceduprightandhave

700kPa(l00psi)airpressure• checkthecylinder’shydrostatdateortheinspectiontag• checktheOringforcracks• checkthatthetapturnsonandoffsmoothlyandclosestheairoffwithoutundueforce• thecylinderbootshouldberemovedevery6monthsandthebasecleaned• Ifanyofthefollowing3checksrevealdefectsthecylinderwillrequireatleastavisual

internalinspection• checkthevalveorificeforsignsofcontamination,usingtheregulatorfilterchecks

below• turnthevalveonandwatchforafinewhitemist(watervapour)andsmelltheairfor

adampmetallicodour• shakethecylinderwhenemptyandlistenforsloshingofwaterortherattleofrustchips.

48 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

REGULATOR• Servicingofregulatorsmustbedoneatleastannuallyorwhenspecificitemssuchas

breathingeffortincreasesorwatercontaminationissuspected,tothemanufacturer’sservicespecifications

• Lookatthefirststagefilter.Theregulatorshouldbeoverhauledwhenthefilterchangesfromagreycolourto:

~ red(indicatesrustinasteeltank) ~ green(indicatessaltwatercorrosion) ~ black(indicatescarbonfromthecompressorfilterorotherimpurities)• Whereredandblackdiscolourationoccursorwhenspecificitemssuchasbreathing

effortincreasesorwatercontaminationissuspected,thecylindershouldalsobechecked

• Regulatorsshouldbestoredflatwiththedustcapfirmlyinplace.Thefirststagefilterorificemustbesealedduringwashingtoensurethatthereisnowaterseepage.Donotdepresssecondstagepurgebutton

• Airandwaterleaksmustberepairedpromptly.Checksforleakscanbemadebyinhalingthroughthesecondstagewhenthedustcapisinplaceorbywatchingforairbubblesunderwater.Airleaksaremostlikelyfromthefirststagepistonringsorthehoseswiveljointonthesecondstage.Waterleaksrarelyoccurinthesecondstage.Exhaustvalvesfoldinginandsplitmouthpiecesaremorelikelytocreateleaks

• Dustcapsshouldbescreweddownoverthefilterorificeassoonastheregulatoristakenfromthetank.DustcapswithOringsarerecommended(checkthe

• Oringispresent).Capswithhollowcentres,ortherubberballtypearenotrecommended

• Checkthehoseforcutsorbubblesundertherubber,especiallywherethehosebendswhenused.Hosesleevesatthefirststageendarerecommended

• Checkthemouthpiece,asdetailedforthesnorkelearlier.

WEIGHT SYSTEM• Weightbeltingoodcondition• Releaseworking• Correctamountofweightforfreshorsaltwater• Integratedpockets–clipfastens,weightsdonotmovearoundinpocket.

49

APPENDIX 6: RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT FOR DIVE BOATS(Asterisks indicate non-essential items for vessels less than 6 metres in length.)

~ Anchorandwarpsuitableforconditions–buoyedanchorline

~ Shotlinemarkedat3and6metres

~ Storagefordivinggear–preferablybottleracks

~ Sufficientareatokitup

~ Firstaidequipmentincludingoxygenresuscitationequipmentandfirstaidmanual

~ Depthsounder

~ Radiotelephone–emergencyproceduretablebesideit

~ Chartsandtidetables

~ Recalldevice–surfaceandunderwater.

~ Datummarkerlineandshot,illuminatedifusedfornightdiving

~ BuoyedsternlineDiveflag

~ Nightdivinglights

~ LadderforeaseofaccesstoandfromwaterextraSetofscubagear

~ Binoculars

~ Spotlightfornightdiving

~ Personnel–skipper–knowswhattodoshouldadivingemergencyarise –surfacewatchand/orstand-bydiver

~ Lifejackets

~ Coldandwetweatherclothing

50 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

APPENDIX 7: LIFE LINE SIGNALSPULLS AND BELLSSignalscompriseeitherpullsorbellsoracombinationofboth.Apullisasteadysingleheaveontheline.Abellisasharptug,alwaysgiveninpairsaswithaship’sbell.i.e.fivebellsisgivenas:twoquicktugspausewithtwoquicktugspauseonequicktug.

Itshouldbenotedthatonebelldoesnotexistasasignalonitsown.

SIGNALS FROM ATTENDANT TO DIVERPULL Tocallattention–areyouallright?

Note: All the following signals from attendant to diver must be preceded by one pull (to call attention).

PULLS Amsendingdowntherope’send(oraspreviouslyarranged).PULLS Youhavecomeuptoofar.Godownslowlyuntilstopped.PULLS Comeup.4PULLSfollowed by 2BELLS. Comeup–hurryup.

DIRECTION SIGNALS1PULL Searchwhereyouare2Bells Gototheendofthedistanceline,jackstayorlifeline3Bells Faceshotlifelinethengoright4Bells Faceshotlinethengoleft5Bells Comeintoyourshotorturnbackifonjackstay

FROM DIVER TO ATTENDANTPULL Tocallattention.Madebottom,reachedendofjackstay.PULLS Sendmedownarope’send(oraspreviouslyarranged).PULLS Iamgoingdownagain.PULLS MayIcomeup?PULLSfollowed by 2BELLS. Iwanttocomeup,assistmeup.SuccessionofPULLS EMERGENCYSIGNALSuccessionof2BELLS Iamfouledandneedtheassistanceofanotherdiver.Successionof3BELLS Iamfouledbutcanclearmyselfifleftalone.

WORKING SIGNALSPULL Holdon.BELLS Pullup.BELLS Lower.BELLS Takeupslacklifeline,youareholdingmetootight.BELLS Havefound/started/completedwork.

51

APPENDIX 8: DIVE PLAN CONTENTS1. EventTitle

2. EventLeader

3. DatesandEstimatedNumberofDaysDiving

4. LocationofDiving

5. SiteDescription

6. Personnel a. Name b. Divingqualifications c. DivingRole d. EmergencyContact/Telephone e. Relationship f. MedicalandOSHexpirydate g. Dateoflastfirstaidcourse

7. Vessels

8. GeneralDescriptionofActivities

9. Proposeddiveprofile(s)

10. DivingLogistics

11. EvacuationPlan

12. NearestOperationalRecompressionChamber

13. NearestHospital

14. HazardIdentification a. DecompressionSickness(DCS) b. GasManagement c. NitrogenNarcosis d. PulmonaryorCNS(02)Toxicity e. Hypothermia f. TidalandWindDrivenCurrents g. LowUnderwaterVisibility h. HazardousMarineAnimals i. Entanglement j. AltitudeDiving k. DivingInContaminatedWaters l. Seasickness m. Fire n. WeatherConditions o. FlyingorDrivingtoAltitudeafterDiving

15. EmergencyEquipmentAndCommunications

16. Metphone

17. DivingProgramAndLogisticsApprovedBy

18. Signature

19. Date

52 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

APPENDIX 9: CHECKLIST OF FIRST AID PROCEDURES IN SUSPECTED BAROTRAUMA AND/OR DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS~ Removethediver’sequipment,includingthewetsuit

~ Opentheairway,checkthatthediverisbreathingandifbreathinghasstoppedbeginmouth-to-mouthresuscitationwithtworescuebreaths.Ifthepatientisbreathingcheckwhetherthebreathingisnormalorshallow.Shallowbreathingmaybeseriousandcommonlyoccurswhereavictimisinshock

~ ContinuewithCPRatarateof2breathsto30compressionsforanadult

~ Enactemergencyassistanceplan–callforassistanceandcontinuefirstaidaspercurrentprotocolsandyourtraining.

Wherepossibleobservationofsignsandsymptomsshouldberecordedastheymayassistemergencypersonnelontheirarrival

~ Observetheriseandfallofthechest.Dobothsidesmoveevenly?

~ Istherepaininthechest,particularlyondeepinspiration!Ifthereispaindoesitoccurataspecificsite(eg.,underthesternum)?

~ Canyouhearanyobstructionstobreathing?Isthereavoicechange?

~ Lookatthemucousmembranesinsidethemouthandlips.Aretheydarkblue?Thecolouroftheskinandfingernailsisnotareliableindicatorwhenlookingforsignsofcyanosisinthedivingsituation.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM~ Checkthecarotidpulseintheneck:thenormalpulserateis60-80beatsperminute.

Theradialpulseonthewristisnotareliableindicatorinthedivingsituation

~ Isthepulsestrong,weak,orabsent?Shockvictimsusuallyhavearapidweakpulse.Ifyoucannotfeelthepulseinthecarotidartery,putyoureartothechestofthevictimandlistenfortheheartbeat.

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM~ Checktheconsciousstateofthevictim.Thisrangesfromconfusionanddrowsiness

tototalunconsciousness.Dotheyrespondtovoice,pain,orneither.Thediver’sresponsetoapainfulstimulus-suchasataponthecollarbonewillassistinthisassessment

~ Canthepatientclearlyseeafingerheldinfrontofhisorhereyesorisitblurred?

~ Movethefingerfromsidetoside-dothepatientseyesfollowthemovement?

~ Arethereanyblindspotsortunnelvision?

53

~ Checkthatthelimbsfunctionnormally–canthepatientmovethetoesandfingers,anklesandwrists?

~ Checkthemuscletoneofthelimbsisnormalbyhavingthepatientpusheachlegandarmagainstyourhand

~ Istheretinglingornumbnessinthelimbs?

~ Canthepatientfeelyourtouch?Isitthesameononesideofthebodyastheotherandonvariouspartsofthebody?

~ Checktheplantarreflexbyscratching–forexample,withapenonthesoleoftheleftfootfromheeltotoe.Ifthebigtoemovesupandtheothertoesspreadout,braindamagemayhaveoccurred

~ Istheskindiscolouredordoesithaveameasle-likerash,particularlyonthethighsandupperpartofthebody?

~ Doestheskinsurfaceatthebaseoftheneck“crackle”whentouched?

~ Arethereskinitchesparticularlyonthethighs,arms,hands,nose,orears?

~ Bluishmottlingorlargeredswellingsmayindicateseveredecompressionsicknesssymptoms.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION TO ACCOMPANY DIVER TO THE PHYSICIAN~ Personalinformation–name,address,contactphonenumber,emergencycontact

information

~ Howlongandtowhatdepthwasthediverdown?

~ Hadotherdivesbeenmadeintheprevious12hoursandifso,towhatdepthandforhowlong?

~ Wasadecompressionstop(precautionaryornecessary)takenbeforesurfacing?

~ Ifso,atwhatdepthandforhowlong?

~ Whatwasthepurposeofthedive?

~ Diditinvolvehardphysicaleffort?

~ Didanythingabnormaloccurduringthedive?

~ Didthedivershowanyabnormalreactions?

~ Didthedivershavethenecessaryequipmentforthedive–especiallysafetyequipment?

~ Didthisequipmentmalfunctionatall?

~ Didthediverfreeascend,orascend,fasterthan18metresperminute?Checkthediver’spressuregauge.

54 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

~ Hadthediversufferedarecentillness?

~ Hadthediverreceivedaninjuryjustbefore,during,orafterthedive?

~ Hadthediverbeensufferingfrompain(particularlyinthejointsorback),headaches,fatigue,insomnia,orseasickness?

~ Hadthediverbeentakingmedicationordrugsbeforethedive?

~ Hadthediverbeendrinkingalcohol?

~ Whenwasthediver’slastmeal?

~ Hadthediverbeendoingheavyexerciseafterthedive?

~ Whatisthenameandlocationofthediver’spersonalphysician?

AdiverwithdecompressionsicknessshouldneverberecompressedunderwaterbutshouldbepassedontotoemergencypersonneltorefertoDivingHyperbaricMedicineServicesfortreatmentasindicated.

TRANSPORTING DECOMPRESSION OR BAROTRAUMA PATIENTIfthediveristobetransportedtoarecompressionchamberthepriorityistominimisethetimebetweentheonsetofthesymptomsandrecompression-thisisespeciallysoforbarotraumavictims.ContactingdiveremergencyServicesortheclosestmedicalfacilityassoonaspossiblewillenablequickactivationofservicesthatcanassistandarrangethesafestandquickesttransportationmethoddependingonthelocation.

Thebestevacuationmethodistouseaportablechamberlargeenoughforthediverandanattendant,withsufficientbreathinggasandacouplingfortransferunderpressuretothetreatmentchamber.Inmostlocationsachambertransportablebyairwouldbethesafestandswiftestevacuationprocedure.

However,wherenochamberisavailableairtransportmaynotbethesafestmethod.Thelowercabinpressureinmostaircraftmayproduceafurtherdeteriorationinthepatient’scondition.

Helicoptershavetheadvantagesofspeedatlowaltitudesandofnotrequiringalandingstrip–providedthatasuitablerouteexists.Thereissomeevidencetosuggestthatpatients’symptomswillworsenasaresultofhelicoptertransportduetotheincreasedvibrationpromotingbubbleformation.

Roadtransportwilloftenbetheeasiestandthefastestmethod,especiallyifthepatientiswithin3hoursdriveofthechamber.

Considerationmustbemadeinanydiveplanforthetransportationofavictim.

55

APPENDIX 10: DECOMPRESSION TABLES AND COMPUTERSRecommendedpracticeis:

~ Avoidnodecompressionlimits(NDLs)

~ Ascendslowly(<18mperminutemaximum,preferablyslower)

~ Makesuccessivedivestoshallowerdepths

~ Makeasafetystopat5mfor3mins,foreverydivedeeperthan10m

~ Waituntilwelloverthesurfaceintervalbeforecommencingrepetitivedives

~ Becauseaperiodoflongerthan24hoursmayberequiredtoeliminateexcessgasfromthebody,itisrecommendedthatabreakofonedayineverytwoorthreedaysbemadeinaperiodofrepeatdiving.

TheDCIEMtableshavebeendevelopedsince1962.TheyareregardedbymostdivingauthoritiesinNewZealandasthesafesttablesavailableandhavebeenadoptedbymanyresearchorganisationsworld-wide.YouarerequiredtousetheDCIEMtableswhendivingundertherequirementsofthisCOP.

ItisrecommendedthateverydiverpurchaseacopyoftheDCIEMtablesonawaterproofplasticsheet.

DivingComputersaresubmersiblegaugeswhichcombineaclockandpressuretransducerwithanelectronicmicroprocessorprogrammedwithadecompressionmodel.Divecomputersgenerallyprovidecurrentinformationondepthandtime.Otherinformationdisplayedcanbe:surfaceinterval,ceilinglevel,decompressionstoptimes,ascentrateandascentratewarning,temperature,timetoflyandmore.Duringthedivehowever,thediverneedstobeabletoseecurrentdepth,maximumdepthandelapsedtime.

ComputerscanbeusedforrecordingdivedatabutthattheDCIEMtablesaretobeusedforalldiveplancalculations.

56 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

APPENDIX 11: CHECK OUT DIVE REQUIREMENTS CHECK OUT REQUIREMENTS – SCUBA1. Assemblegear

2. Predivesafetycheck

3. Waterentry

4. Descent

5. Clearmask

6. Removeandreplacemask

7. Retrievelostregulator

8. RemoveandreplaceSCUBAunitonthesurface

9. Maintainneutralbuoyancy

10. Alternateairsourceascent

11. Tireddivertow

12. AnyotherspecificskilltheUniversityDiveOfficerconsidersnecessarytakingintoaccounttheproposednatureofthedivingtobecarriedoutbythediver.

DRYSUITSDiversintendingtodiveindrysuitswillbeaskedtocompletethefollowingskillsinadditiontothoselistedabove:

1. Emergencyarrestofrunawayascent

2. Emergencydisconnectofinflatorvalve.

57

FULL FACE MASKS AND UNDERWATER COMMUNICATIONSDiversintendingtodiveusingfullfacemasksandunderwaterwirelesscommunicationswillbeaskedtocompletethefollowingskillsinadditiontothoselistedabove:

AknowledgequizbasedonuseoftheOTSfullfacemaskandtheBuddyunderwatercommunicationssystem.

Practicalskillsassessment:

1. AdjustsanddonsOTSfullfacemaskincludingnoseplugs

2. Checkscommunicationbetweendiversandthesurfacesupport

3. Conductsdescentusingcorrectequalizationprocedure

4. ConductsMRTtestunderwaterasreceiverandtransmitter

5. Demonstratesproperuseofregulator

6. Clearpartiallyandfullyfloodedmask

7. Removesandreplacesfullyfloodedmask

8. Removesfloodedmaskandbreathesfromalternateairsource,replacessparemask.

9. Simulatesoutofairscenario,removingmask,usingAASandsparemask,swimswithbuddytothesurface

10. Demonstratesproperascent.

ThefollowingspecialistdivingtypesandequipmentusesrequirespecificendorsementbytheDiveOfficeronthedivecheck:Icediving,Overheadenvironments(wreckpenetration,cavesandcaverns),Useofpowertools,FullfacemasksandUWcommunications,Solodiving.

CHECK OUT REQUIREMENTS – SNORKELING1. Assemblegear

2. Pre-divesafetycheck

3. Waterentry

4. 50msurfacefin

5. Clearmask

6. Clearsnorkel–blast

7. Clearsnorkel–expansion

8. Duckdiveandequalization

9. Crampremoval

10. Tireddivertow

58 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

APPENDIX 12: GUIDELINES FOR INTERACTING WITH WILDLIFE IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT DURING OTAGO UNIVERSITY FIELD ACTIVITIES.TheseguidelinesarepresentedassuggestionsforstaffandstudentsofOtagoUniversityasprecautionsthatwillassistinminimisingtheriskassociatedwithinteractionsbetweenhumansandwildlifeinthemarineenvironment.Theyapplytostaffandstudentsonorinthemarineenvironmentandalsothoseworkingonshorelines.

MostanimalinteractionwhilstdivingorsnorkellingwillbewithHooker’ssealionsandNewZealandfurseals.Thereisapotentialforinteractionswithsharksinsomeareas.

GENERALRespondinginacalmmannerisimportantwhenapproachedbyorinteractingwithmarinelife.Suddenmovementsandloudnoisesshouldbeavoided.Inmostcasessimplyignoringtheanimalwillresultintheanimalleavingthearea.

Risksofinjuryfrominteractionswithmarinelifeshouldbeconsideredandappropriateactionstakentomitigatethoserisksonthefield/diveplan.SHARK INTERACTIONSLocation Avoidbeingintheoceaninandaroundpinnipedcolonies.For example:TitiIslands,RuggedIslands,Nuggets,Subantarcticislands, ShagPointshoreline

Time of day Avoidbeinginthewateratduskordawn

Time of year Somesharksareknowntomigrate.WhitesharksarriveinStewart IslandaroundOctoberandleaveaboutApril,butsomeclearlystay untilJulyoreventhroughthewinter.Breedingseasoncouldbe avoided.Thetimeofyearthatsealpupsfirstgetinthewaterinthe areashouldbeavoided.

Other activities Fishingshouldonlybeconductedwhereitisrequiredtocollect samples.Limitfishingbeforeandafterdivingtrips.Norecreational fishingorspearfishingisallowedduringUniversitydiving/ snorkelingtrips.Takecaremanagingfishingofanykind.Fishshould gettotheboatindependentofpeople.Usingafloatlinethattrails thediverorsnorkelerisagoodidea.

Allscubadiversrequireabuddyinthewatersoiffishingaspartof theirresearchtheywillneedtoensurethefishingactivity issafefortheirbuddyandthatallrisksofthatactivityareweighed upandappropriateactionstakentomitigatetherisktotheirbuddy. Duringthisactivitythebuddycouldbeappointedasalookoutdiver.

59

Swimming Limitsurfaceswimsasmuchaspossibleandifthesearenecessary stayinagroup.Minimisenoiseandwatermovementespeciallyat thesurface.Skipperstotrytokeepboatsrightbydivers,orgopick themup.

Exit/Enter water Dropoffandpickupdiversasclosetowallsandtheshorelineasis safe.Diveprofilesthatworkfromwallsandreefsarebest.Avoid mid-waterascent.Divesupervisorsshouldstayalertandcalm.The divegroupshouldkeeptogetherasmuchaspossible.

Safety stops Avoiddiveplansthatcallformid-watersafetystops.Wherethese stopsareimportanttominimizetheriskofDCSdiversshoulddo thesestopsinagroupandcloseasissafetotheshorelineoronthe boatanchororotherline.Ensuretheskipperisawareofthisduring thediveplanningstageandthedivebriefing.

Abort dive Allpeopleinthedivepartyshouldunderstandthediverrecall systemandrespondaccordinglyifitisused.Anydiveratanytime canconfidentlysay‘no’toadiveorcalloffadivewithoutfearof repercussion.

Technology Severalsystemshavebeenresearchedtoprovidediverswith informationoftheefficacyoftheseproducts.Forpeerreviewed researchontheeffectivenessofSharkShieldsreadHuveneers, Rogers,Semmens,Beckman,Kock,Pageworth,Goldsworthy, 2012.EffectsofSharkShieldtmelectricdeterrentonthebehaviour ofwhitesharks(Carcharodon carcharias).FinalreporttoSafework Australia.Version2.SouthAustralianResearchandDevelopment Institute(Aquaticsciences),Adelaide.MarineEnvironmentand Ecology.

Sharkshieldshavebeenpurchasedandareavailablethroughthe departmentofmarinescience.Ifwornbyonediver,theyshouldbe wornbyallinaparty.Usingasharkshieldattachedtothe boatladdermaybeeffectiveinminimizinginteractions.

Asummaryoftheriskofsharkinteractionworld-wideisavailableonthewebsiteoftheFloridaMuseumofNaturalhistory: flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/statistics/trends.htm

60 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

APPENDIX 13: DIVE PLAN TEMPLATE UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO DIVE PLAN

Event title Dive supervisor Vessel

Date General location Dive site

Dive site description

General dive logistics

DIVE EVENT PERSONNEL

Full name Dive quals Diving role Emergency contact name and phone Medical expiry date First aid expiry date

DIVE PLANS: Complete plan & submit to either DDO or UDO as per COP timeframes.

First dive plan Second dive plan Depth (m) BT (mins) PG SI RF Depth BT PG SI (mins)

Third dive plan Fourth dive plan Rep factor Depth (m) BT (mins) PG SI RF Depth BT (mins) PG

RISK ANALYSIS

Description of risk Liklihood Impact What are we doing about it? H/M/L H/M/L (Eliminate, idolate, minimise) high risk high impacts must be eliminated

e.g. Cold H M Wearing 7mm suits, hood, hats on boat, warm drinks

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PLAN

Evacuation plan: How will a patient be evacuated from the dive site?

Communications: How will you contact emergency services? (eg cellphone, sat phone, VHF)

Nearest operational recompression chamber: Location and contact details

Emergency equipment you are taking: First aid and oxygen, other? Please include reference numbers for equipment where relevant

Dive leader signature Dive trip and activity approved by: Date

61

APPENDIX 14: DIVE PLAN ROSTER UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO DIVE LOG

Dive supervisor to complete as day progresses, scan and send to DDO within 7 days of end of trip.

WEATHER FORECAST ON THE DAY

High tide time High tide height

Wind direction Wind strength

Swell height Swell direction

ACTUAL WEATHER AT SITE

Swell height Swell direction Wind direction Wind strength

Dive 1

Dive 2

Dive 3

Dive 4

DIVE LOG First dive: Location Second dive: Location

Full name Depth (m) BT (mins) Air in Air out Depth (m) BT (mins) Air in Air out Initial

DIVE LOG First dive: Location Second dive: Location

Full name Depth (m) BT (mins) Air in Air out Depth (m) BT (mins) Air in Air out Initial

62 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g

APPENDIX 15: TO BE AUTHORISED TO SCUBA DIVE

Do you have a current MBIE occupational dive medical?

yes

Have you been checked out in last 24 months by a dive officer?

Is your first aid certificate within 12 months and your oxygen within 24 months?

Will you be receiving reward in any form for your diving?

Get training as resue diver

Contact DDO for training for training dates and get certificates

Contact DDO or UDO to arrange MBIE occupational dive medical

Contact DDO to arrange a dive check out

You are ready to dive with the university

yes

yes

no

You are now ready to dive for reward as part of the university

Are you a rescue diver or equivalent?

Obtain a certificate of competency to dive with MBIE

yes

yes

noyes

no

no

no

63

APPENDIX 16: TO BE AUTHORISED TO SNORKEL DIVE

Have you obtained a SPUMS dive medical?

yes

Have you completed a snorkel ckeck out dive with the UDO within 24 months?

Is your first aid current within 12 months and oxygen delivery within 24 months?

You are ready to snorkel dive with university

Arrange training

Contact DDO for training dates

Arrange a SPUMS medical with student health

Contact DDO to arrange

yes

yes

no

Are you certified as a snorkel diver to satisfaction of the UDO (Skindiver,

OWD or equivalent)?

noyes

no

no

64 C o d e o f P r a c t i c e f o r D i v i n g