Decompression diving
Diver support station
Maximum exposure
Diver support station
Where decompression diving is taking place the employer/self-employed person should ensure there is a diver surface support station.
The following equipment should be available from this station:
- emergency breathing gas positioned for use during decompression
- a device for the purpose of controlling position and maintaining ascent rate during decompression, for example, an ascent line
- a copy of each dive team¿s dive plan
- a copy of each diver¿s calculated gas consumption requirements for the dive, showing adequate gas supplies to safely complete the required dive profile without the use of the diver¿s redundant gas system.
The employer/self-employed person should ensure that at all times divers are in the water that there is on the surface:
- a person trained and competent in the operation of all emergency equipment on the diver surface support station
- a person who is fully aware of the dive plan for each dive team
- if the station is a boat, a person capable of controlling the vessel
- the number of support personnel will be based on the degree of risk, including the maximum number of divers in the water at any time, the prevailing conditions, the location and nature of the dive site and the level of experience of divers
- all divers undertaking decompression diving should be equipped with an alternate ascent system and a redundant gas system by the employer/self-employed person.
Maximum exposure
Divers are not to be exposed to:
- oxygen in the mixture being breathed at any time in excess of a partial pressure of 1.6 bar
- nitrogen in the mixture being breathed at any time in excess of a partial pressure of 5.0 bar while diving.
Where decompression diving on air to depths of 40 metres or less takes place, the diver should have:
- successfully completed a course in decompression diving; or
- has ten logged decompression dives.
If a diver cannot meet either of these requirements, the diver should be accompanied by a dive supervisor or dive instructor competent in decompression diving on air.
Where decompression diving on air to depths of 40 metres or over takes place, the diver should have successfully completed a course in decompression diving.
More information on decompression diving is available in section 3.3 of the Recreational Diving, Recreational Technical Diving and Snorkelling Code of Practice 2010.
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