4.6 Dive Planning
4.6.1 DivingDiving shall be conducted in accordance
with BSAC Safe Diving, also see “Definition of an Authorised
Dive�?.
The Branch Diving Officer shall follow BSAC Safe
Diving and the guidance at “Definition of an
Authorised Dive�? for all Branch diving activities.
A Branch Committee may define its
requirements for the use of Branch equipment (Section 4.7).
4.6.3 Diving Independent of a Branch
When diving is conducted independent of the Branch, members should refer to “Definition of an Authorised Dive�?. It is recommended that, the organiser / most experienced member / Dive Manager of the group carry out a Risk Assessment as a matter of course. Failure to do so could affect their BSAC Third Party / Public Liability cover should a claim be made against them.
While not wishing to define the minimum number of persons present necessary to make a dive official, the National Diving Committee advises Branch Diving Officers to consider the qualifications and experience of those seeking approval of their dive, and take into account the dive plan, Dive Managing (Section 4.8), Risk Assessment and safety precautions carefully before granting approval.
Guarding Against Unsafe Dives:
There is of course, no way of preventing members taking part in dives which do not have the Branch Diving Officer's approval (see Definition of an Authorised Dive) - indeed, the BSAC Public Liability Insurance still applies so long as the dive is carried out in accordance with BSAC diving recommendations (including a Risk Assessment). One danger of such dives is that Ocean Divers or partially trained divers might be tempted or encouraged to take part in dives, which are beyond their capabilities. The Branch Diving Officer should guard against this by explaining to and reminding all members of the dangers of diving without adequate training, supervision and control, and by asking experienced divers not to encourage members to take part in dives for which they are not prepared or experienced. It should be remembered "Ocean and trainee divers are ONLY allowed to dive on properly managed dives".
When diving is conducted independent of the Branch, members should refer to “Definition of an Authorised Dive�?. It is recommended that, the organiser / most experienced member / Dive Manager of the group carry out a Risk Assessment as a matter of course. Failure to do so could affect their BSAC Third Party / Public Liability cover should a claim be made against them.
While not wishing to define the minimum number of persons present necessary to make a dive official, the National Diving Committee advises Branch Diving Officers to consider the qualifications and experience of those seeking approval of their dive, and take into account the dive plan, Dive Managing (Section 4.8), Risk Assessment and safety precautions carefully before granting approval.
Guarding Against Unsafe Dives:
There is of course, no way of preventing members taking part in dives which do not have the Branch Diving Officer's approval (see Definition of an Authorised Dive) - indeed, the BSAC Public Liability Insurance still applies so long as the dive is carried out in accordance with BSAC diving recommendations (including a Risk Assessment). One danger of such dives is that Ocean Divers or partially trained divers might be tempted or encouraged to take part in dives, which are beyond their capabilities. The Branch Diving Officer should guard against this by explaining to and reminding all members of the dangers of diving without adequate training, supervision and control, and by asking experienced divers not to encourage members to take part in dives for which they are not prepared or experienced. It should be remembered "Ocean and trainee divers are ONLY allowed to dive on properly managed dives".
Dives Out-side Safe Diving:
Occasionally members insist on going ahead with plans for dives that the Branch Diving Officer considers unwise, unsafe or beyond the experience of someone in the party (see Definition of an Authorised Dive). In these circumstances the Branch Diving Officer's reservations must be expressed in writing to all members involved, and a copy kept in the Branch records. Inclusion as part of the Branch Diving Officer's report at the next Committee Meeting will ensure there is a record in the Minutes (Section 3.3.4). Where the advice of the Branch Diving Officer is ignored or disregarded the Branch Diving Officer should take disciplinary action against the individuals.
Occasionally members insist on going ahead with plans for dives that the Branch Diving Officer considers unwise, unsafe or beyond the experience of someone in the party (see Definition of an Authorised Dive). In these circumstances the Branch Diving Officer's reservations must be expressed in writing to all members involved, and a copy kept in the Branch records. Inclusion as part of the Branch Diving Officer's report at the next Committee Meeting will ensure there is a record in the Minutes (Section 3.3.4). Where the advice of the Branch Diving Officer is ignored or disregarded the Branch Diving Officer should take disciplinary action against the individuals.
Note: The act of DOING NOTHING could compromise the Branch Diving Officer's defence if a claim was made. This will help safeguard the Branch Diving Officer and the Branch Committee in the event of an accident and any subsequent legal proceedings that may follow, in that it will show that they made reasonable efforts to forewarn, prevent and discourage those involved.
4.6.4 Branch Diving Programme
All Branches should make an effort to plan a programme of Branch dives and publish it at the start of the diving season. Ideally a copy would be issued to each diving member. It should give the date, venue, name, of the Dive Manager for each event. The guidance on the Data Protection Act 1998 (Section 3.4.11) should be followed when including Dive Manager contact details. The Diving Programme should not be restricted to listing one-day diving meetings, but should include Branch diving holidays, Bank Holiday long weekend expeditions, social events and other important dates, which members need to keep in mind.
4.6.5 Why have a Dive Programme?
The varied programme of dives should provide for all levels of ability, from initial open water dives for Ocean Divers to adventurous dives for the more experienced. For those under training, remember that BSAC has published models for a series of structured open water lessons for Ocean Diver, Sports Diver and Dive Leader qualifications (see the BSAC Instructor Manuals and Instructor Prompt Cards). These may require experience of different diving environments and sites, both coastal and inland.
In a small Branch and with a little planning, most members' interests can be catered for at the same site. It may not be quite so easy for a larger Branch, or where there are a lot of trainees who need to undertake particular open water lessons or gain particular types of diving experience. Some degree of dive site segregation may be desirable. The Branch Diving Officer or Expeditions Leader may recommend that a number of smaller groups operate from several different sites on the same day, rather than all using the same beach, therefore avoiding overcrowding. For example, a group of Advanced Divers might work from a small cove while a party of Ocean Divers are undergoing intensive Sports Diver lessons elsewhere.
Splitting interests in this way can also take place when the Branch is meeting at one site. In this case, there should be two separate Dive Managers; one for the advanced group, another for the group training. Consideration should be given to the availability and allocation of Branch Equipment when parties are split up in this way. Yet another variation might be to arrange advanced diving in the morning and open water Lessons for Ocean and Sports Diver candidates in the afternoon. Since the latter are likely to be in shallower water, the morning's Assistant Instructors / Qualified Instructors should incur no decompression problems during the afternoon activities.
Senior divers should understand that the introduction of beginners to the sport in this way is part of their own development as a responsible and more highly qualified diver. It gives the beginner the opportunity to acquire skills and techniques under the guidance of an experienced diver, while the latter is given the opportunity to accept responsibility and develop leadership and instructional skills.
4.6.6 Experienced Divers
The Branch Diving Officer should realise that experienced divers are entitled to their fun. Nothing will kill their interest as active Branch members more quickly than always being expected to look after trainees. They are then likely to form a faction within the Branch who never take part in Branch dives or training activities; or they may leave the Branch altogether.
Either way, it is a great loss of useful talent to the Branch. The Branch Diving Officer or Expedition Leader should therefore plan dives for the experienced and other specialised interests groups as part of the annual diving programme; if necessary, restricting the dive to qualified Dive Leaders or Advanced Divers only. This restriction also encourages members to gain higher qualifications so that they are qualified to take part.
Experienced divers should also be encouraged to become involved with the expeditions involving divers from more than one branch. Branches can also arrange similar charters or land based expeditions for their more experienced divers an ideal job for the Expedition Leader. There are times when Advanced Divers want to dive together if there are insufficient numbers in a Branch the Regional Expedition Diving Scheme (known as REDS) offers an alternative. By bringing together Advanced Divers from a number of Branches to undertake challenging and interesting projects.
4.6.4 Branch Diving Programme
All Branches should make an effort to plan a programme of Branch dives and publish it at the start of the diving season. Ideally a copy would be issued to each diving member. It should give the date, venue, name, of the Dive Manager for each event. The guidance on the Data Protection Act 1998 (Section 3.4.11) should be followed when including Dive Manager contact details. The Diving Programme should not be restricted to listing one-day diving meetings, but should include Branch diving holidays, Bank Holiday long weekend expeditions, social events and other important dates, which members need to keep in mind.
4.6.5 Why have a Dive Programme?
The varied programme of dives should provide for all levels of ability, from initial open water dives for Ocean Divers to adventurous dives for the more experienced. For those under training, remember that BSAC has published models for a series of structured open water lessons for Ocean Diver, Sports Diver and Dive Leader qualifications (see the BSAC Instructor Manuals and Instructor Prompt Cards). These may require experience of different diving environments and sites, both coastal and inland.
In a small Branch and with a little planning, most members' interests can be catered for at the same site. It may not be quite so easy for a larger Branch, or where there are a lot of trainees who need to undertake particular open water lessons or gain particular types of diving experience. Some degree of dive site segregation may be desirable. The Branch Diving Officer or Expeditions Leader may recommend that a number of smaller groups operate from several different sites on the same day, rather than all using the same beach, therefore avoiding overcrowding. For example, a group of Advanced Divers might work from a small cove while a party of Ocean Divers are undergoing intensive Sports Diver lessons elsewhere.
Splitting interests in this way can also take place when the Branch is meeting at one site. In this case, there should be two separate Dive Managers; one for the advanced group, another for the group training. Consideration should be given to the availability and allocation of Branch Equipment when parties are split up in this way. Yet another variation might be to arrange advanced diving in the morning and open water Lessons for Ocean and Sports Diver candidates in the afternoon. Since the latter are likely to be in shallower water, the morning's Assistant Instructors / Qualified Instructors should incur no decompression problems during the afternoon activities.
Senior divers should understand that the introduction of beginners to the sport in this way is part of their own development as a responsible and more highly qualified diver. It gives the beginner the opportunity to acquire skills and techniques under the guidance of an experienced diver, while the latter is given the opportunity to accept responsibility and develop leadership and instructional skills.
4.6.6 Experienced Divers
The Branch Diving Officer should realise that experienced divers are entitled to their fun. Nothing will kill their interest as active Branch members more quickly than always being expected to look after trainees. They are then likely to form a faction within the Branch who never take part in Branch dives or training activities; or they may leave the Branch altogether.
Either way, it is a great loss of useful talent to the Branch. The Branch Diving Officer or Expedition Leader should therefore plan dives for the experienced and other specialised interests groups as part of the annual diving programme; if necessary, restricting the dive to qualified Dive Leaders or Advanced Divers only. This restriction also encourages members to gain higher qualifications so that they are qualified to take part.
Experienced divers should also be encouraged to become involved with the expeditions involving divers from more than one branch. Branches can also arrange similar charters or land based expeditions for their more experienced divers an ideal job for the Expedition Leader. There are times when Advanced Divers want to dive together if there are insufficient numbers in a Branch the Regional Expedition Diving Scheme (known as REDS) offers an alternative. By bringing together Advanced Divers from a number of Branches to undertake challenging and interesting projects.
Page last modified: 9th Sep 2007 - 18:18:28