Dive Planning, Organisation & Leadership

1. Dive Planning, Organisation & Leadership

2. We will cover • Why Plan a Dive ? • The planning, Organisational and Leading Process • Advanced Planning • Pre-dive Planning • Dive Site Organisation • During Dive Leadership • After Dive Organisation

3. Why Plan a Dive? • Potentially hazardous sport, planning ensures dives are carried out as safely as possible. • Forward planning enables a more efficient and enjoyable diving operation. • Contingency planning for emergencies; • Better prepared. • Increasing the chance of a successful outcome.

4. The Planning, Organization and Leading Process: • Advance Planning - location and time of a dive. • Pre-dive Planning • At least 48 hours before the dive. • At the dive site Organization • Just prior to the dive. • During the dive Leadership • Buddy brief and checks and in-water checks. • After the dive Organization • What tasks must be completed ?

5. Advance Planning • Dive site & alternative • Sea chart, local knowledge and other divers, exit/entry points. • Depth and dive profile • Tide tables, tides affect depth, currents and entry/exit points. • Divers • Number, levels of experience, expected depth or interests.

6. Advance Planning • Equipment • Boats, compressors, emergency equipment; oxygen, flares, etc. • Emergency Plan • Emergency services; doctor; Gardai, hospital, recompression facility, helicopter, lifeboat, coast radio station, nearest telephone.

7. Pre-Dive Planning • Weather forecast • Proposed location diveable or what about the alternative ? • Final numbers • Divers still available to attend, ratio of experienced to novice.

8. Pre-Dive Planning • Equipment • Still in working order and is ready to be transported to the dive site. • Permission sought • Private property, harbour facilities or dive on a protected site.

9. Dive Site Organisation • Assistant DOD • While the DOD is in the water, familiar with the dive, take command. • Coxswains • Launch boats and verify they are fully equipped, fuelled and seaworthy.

10. Dive Site Organisation • Other People • Cause minimum inconvenience to locals and other users, compressors. • Emergency vehicle • Clearly marked and located where it will have free exit at all times.

11. Dive Site Organisation • Entry/Exit points • Pay attention to the effects of tide. • Dive Groups • Dive leaders and groups, complete dive log.

12. Dive Site Organisation • Shore Marshal: • Critical to the successful running of operation. • Keep track of all divers and boats as they leave and return. • Implementing the emergency plan if required. • Very familiar with the dive and emergency plans. • Coxswains report to the Shore Marshal on departure and arrival.

13. Dive Site Organisation • The Dive Brief: • Planning is useless unless communicated to all. • Given to divers, coxswains and the Shore Marshal. • Avoid distractions (out of the weather). • All questions have been fully answered. • Coxswains: • Ensure that buddies sit opposite, gear is close at hand. • Details left with the Shore Marshal.

14. Diving Brief

15. On the Dive Site • Appoint a time keeper to note the exit and entry times. • Note actual bottom times and depths. • Cover divers are kitted up with snorkel gear. • Assistant DOD will take over when DO in water.

16. During the Dive Leadership • Pre-Dive Brief • Introductions, qualifications and experience. • Feeling OK. • Outline dive plan, direction, maximum depth, time. • Order of entry/exit into the water. • Check hand signals.

17. During the Dive Leadership • Pre-Dive Brief • If on exercise or training, the sequence of events. • Separation procedure. • Emergencies. • Surfacing Procedure. • Ascent and Stops.

18. During the Dive Leadership • Buddy Check • Check from Top to Bottom. • Check buoyancy device, fits, functions, mini cylinder. • Check the weight belt buckle. • The dive cylinder on and full. • Demand valve is functioning properly.

19. During the Dive Leadership • Buddy Check • Watch, depth gauge, compass, computer, knife. • All equipment is fitted correctly. • Check location and operation of dry suit controls, if appropriate.

20. During the Dive Leadership • Underwater • On descent - exchange signals, watch for problems and ensure buddy under control. • Maximum Depth - achieved early and complete at a shallower depth. • Current - swim into it for first half and return with its assistance.

21. During the Dive Leadership • Underwater • Buddy Check - done frequently, use hand signals, particularly the OK. • Gauges - monitor depth & time and contents. • Separation Procedure: If contact is lost between the divers • Ascent - recommended rate of ascent, look for dangers near the surface, raise hand.

22. During the Dive Leadership • In the Boat • Check if OK, • Debrief dive or exercise. • Organize equipment for return journey. • Log times and depths with DO

23. After the Dive Organization • Ensure coxswains report back to the Shore Marshal. • Debrief all the participants in the dive. • Pass log sheet to the next DOD. • Recover and refuel boats. • Fill bottles, note the site of the compressors. Ensure the site is left as it was found

24. Summary • Why Plan a Dive ? • The planning, Organisational and Leading Process • Advanced Planning • Pre-dive Planning • Dive Site Organisation • During Dive Leadership • After Dive Organisation

25. QUESTIONS ?