Supervision
General supervision
Lookout person
Dive instructor, assistant or supervisor
General supervision
Supervision of recreational diving is very important. Those responsible for conducting a dive should:
- Document diving procedures together with the health and safety responsibilities of lookouts, dive supervisors, dive instructors and other workers.
- Clearly allocate responsibilities and ensure that diving procedures are followed by everyone.
- Appoint a lookout person where recreational diving or recreational technical diving is conducted for one or more people.
- Ensure that all diving is coordinated by a dive supervisor, dive instructor or others appointed for that purpose.
- Check that entry level certificate divers dive with a buddy.
- Ensure that dive workers do not dive alone without appropriate training and equipment.
Lookout person
Ensure that the lookout person:
- is out of the water and solely engaged in being a lookout
- scans the area under his/her supervision in an effective and efficient way
- rescues a diver (if required) or directs someone who is immediately available and capable to rescue a dive
- is fit enough so that his/her own health and safety are not compromised if there is a need to rescue or assist in a rescue
- gives first aid (if required) including expired air resuscitation, oxygen resuscitation and external cardiac compression, or directs a capable person to provide first aid
- observes divers when they enter and exit the water or are on the surface
- has access to binoculars and polarised sunglasses for better visibility
- continually monitors the position of divers and looks for hazards or changes that could lead to problems, and identifies problems so that dive operations can be adjusted
- wears a brightly coloured shirt, wetsuit or other identifying clothing or equipment so he/she can be recognised easily by divers
- is part of a communication system that is relevant to the dive site and allows for effective communication with divers and others.
Dive instructor, assistant or supervisor
A dive instructor is a person who holds a current qualification from a recreational scuba or dive training organisation, designed to qualify the person as a scuba/dive instructor.
A certificated assistant is a person who holds a current qualification from a recreational scuba or dive training organisation, designed to qualify the person to assist a scuba/dive instructor.
A dive supervisor is a person who holds a current qualification in diving operations leadership from a recreational scuba or dive training organisation.
When conducting a dive:
- Ensure that all diving is coordinated by a dive supervisor or others appointed for that purpose.
- Ensure that all resort divers are supervised in the water by a dive supervisor or dive instructor.
- Ensure there are no more than eight students in the water with one dive instructor or ten students with a dive instructor and certificated assistant.
- Depending on the ability, fitness and qualification level of divers, have a dive supervisor or dive instructor accompany certificated divers in the water.
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