Safe Diving Practices L
Legislation
With the exception of requirements relating to cylinders (see Cylinders) and the law which protects historic wreck sites, there are no laws or government regulations in the UK about the way in which the sport of diving must be conducted.
However, if you dive for money or reward, even using recreational techniques and equipment, you are considered to be a professional diver and are subject to the requirements of the Diving at Work Regulations - 1997. These regulations require a diving medical issued by a medical examiner approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and impose detailed safety requirements on all diving operations.
Amateur divers must be aware that any job of work carried out for anything other than essential expenses e.g. petrol or air costs, would be considered subject to the requirements of the regulations. It does not matter whether the money or gifts are presented to the divers or their branch, this would still be seen by the HSE as diving at work. Even jobs of work undertaken for true expenses are seen by professional divers as 'stealing their work' and will often be a source of aggravation.
The regulations recognise that different techniques are used by the different sectors of the diving industry, and there are five separate Approved Codes of Practice (ACoP) covering Offshore diving, Inshore diving, Scientific and Archaeological diving, Recreational diving and Media diving.
Divers working professionally have to comply with the requirements of the relevant Code of Practice. Those teaching sport diving professionally must comply with the 'Recreational diving' ACoP.
Appropriate BSAC qualifications have been approved by the HSE for activities covered by this Code.
Page last modified: 18th Dec 2006 - 11:28:46