Diving and snorkelling

All dive equipment used on University dive trips must be serviced annually or to manufacturer's specifications and be in good working order. The University stocks some dive equipment for loan but if personal equipment such as BCD’s and Regulators are preferred, please forward scanned copies of the annual service record to the Maritime Safety Dive Officer prior to undertaking the dive trip. Note, any faulty equipment must be tagged out immediately, recorded on the Diving Safety Log and reported to the Maritime Safety Dive Officer.

New University divers are required to undertake a check out dive with the Maritime Safety Dive Officer or an experienced dive coordinator, refer to the new diver/snorkeller evaluation form.

To ensure safe diving operations, a defined diving structure exists within the University, based on training, experience and role in the dive team. The categories are as follows: 

• Restricted student diver: Open Water Diver with 18 hours dives minimum experience. Must be supervised in-water by a General Scientific Diver or Dive Coordinator. Depth limit 12m.
• Limited scientific diver: Rescue Diver, 60 hours and 5 scientific dives with the University (or equivalent). Able to undertake scientific diving to a depth of 18m.
• General scientific diver: Professional Dive Leader qualification (i.e. Dive Master) or Occupational dive qualification (i.e. AS/NZS 2815), 80 hours and 10 scientific dives with the University (or equivalent). Able to be an in-water Dive Leader. Depth limit 24m.
• Dive coordinator: Professional Dive Leader qualification or Occupational dive qualification, 100 hours and 20 scientific dives with the University (or equivalent). Depth limit 30m. Dive coordinator has the authority to coordinate University Diving operations, selection is based on individuals who poses leadership skills, sound judgement with a demonstrated ability to follow Flinders dive protocol and run safe diving operations.

Refer to section 2.3 of the Diving and Snorkelling procedures manual for full details.

On a dive site there is a distinct chain of command and direction given by these responsible persons must be followed by all members of the dive team. 

• The Field Trip Leader is responsible for the conduct of the overall trip.
• The Dive Coordinator is responsible for the overall running and safe conduct of a diving operation.
• The in-water Dive Leader is responsible for the safe conduct of their diving team including keeping a close watch on less experience divers in-water.
  
• Where applicable, the Skipper/ Coxswain is in charge of the vessel and safety of the personnel on-board.
• Note, the Maritime Safety Dive Officer is in charge of managing all diving and boating conducted through the University and has the authority to restrict, prohibit or suspend activities, or require additional safety practices, procedures or equipment to ensure safety. Note, any changes to a Dive Plan must first be cleared by the Maritime Safety Dive Officer.

Under the supervision of the dive coordinator, University Diving operations must follow protocol as set out in the Diving and snorkelling procedures manual.

The dive coordinator must complete the following:

a) Diving on-site risk assessment

b) Diving safety briefing

c) Diving equipment checklist

d) Diving safety log

cd) Diving equipment checklist and safety log combined

Note, scanned copies of all dive forms must be submitted to the Maritime Safety Dive Officer post trip.

Please adhere to the Diving and snorkelling safety procedures and read the Diving and snorkelling procedures manual for a full understanding of the dive protocol the University has in place.

In short:

• Conservative dive planning. All dives underpinned by DCIEM dive tables with a maximum repetitive group of H (G if hyperbaric chamber is >2 hours away).
• No Decompression diving permitted.
• Maximum of 7 ascents in a day.
• Dive profile deep to shallow.
• Minimum surface interval of 15 minutes between dives.
• Minimum of 3 people to a dive team; 2 divers with a Dive Coordinator/ Dive Attendant as top-side support.
• Maximum depth (i.e. Restricted Student Diver 12m, Limited Scientific Diver 18m and General Scientific Diver up to 24m).
• Diver to top-side communications established by use of Lifelines, Float lines or Com units. In-water communications signals understood.
• Dive Leader and Buddy system established to conduct frequent diver/ air checks.
• Low minimum air 50 bar (on surface).
• Ascent rate of 9 metres per minute.
• Shark shield to be worn at all times.
• Maximum of 5 days repetitive diving permitted with the 6^th day free of diving.
• Minimum 24 hours surface interval if flying after diving.

As a general guide, snorkelling by Flinders University personnel should only be used as an observation, photography, search or collection technique. No difficult or strenuous work of any kind should be attempted using snorkel diving, without implementation of appropriate safety precautions and approved by the Maritime Safety Dive Officer.

All Flinders University snorkellers should have as a minimum:

• Recreational Dive Medical (valid within the last 3 years).
  • Snorkelling AS4005.1 Recreational Dive Medical form
  • Dive medical doctors
• At least 5 hours snorkelling experience.
• Should be competent swimmers i.e. able to swim 400m in under 12mins and tread water for 10mins (without fins).

All Flinders University snorkel leaders should have the above but also have:

• Rescue diver minimum and appropriate snorkelling experience.
  • Current Provide First Aid (HLTAID003) (renewed every 3 years).
  • Oxygen Provider and CPR training (renewed annually).

To register as a new Flinders University snorkeller please fill out the:

• Diver/snorkeller registration and statement of understanding form

Once complete please forward your registration forms and valid dive medical to the Maritime Safety Dive Officer matt.lloyd@flinders.edu.au or your dive coordinator.

During a snorkelling field trip, the dive coordinator is in-charge of supervising the snorkel diving operations and should complete the following:

1. Snorkelling onsite risk assessment
2. Snorkelling safety briefing
3. Snorkelling checklist and safety log

Note: scanned copies of all snorkelling forms must be submitted to the Maritime Safety Dive Officer post trip.

Snorkelling limits

Please adhere to the Diving and snorkelling safety procedures and read the Diving and snorkelling procedures manual for a full understanding of the snorkelling protocol the University has in place.

In short:

• Minimum team of 3 people i.e. 2 snorkellers with Surface Lookout able to assist in an emergency.
• Snorkellers and site must be clearly marked by a dive float with dive flag so they are clearly visible to any boat traffic.
• Snorkellers must work as buddy pairs at all times and stay within close proximity of one another.
• Snorkellers must always stay within their personal limits and take no more than 3 deep controlled breaths prior to undertaking a duck dive.
• When duck diving buddy pairs must work with a 1 up 1 down protocol at all times maintaining an active watch on one another.
• Snorkellers must actively equalise on descent to prevent ear squeeze.
• Duck diving is only permitted to a maximum depth of 5 metres.
• Larger groups must consist of at least 1 in-water Snorkel Leader for a maximum of 8 snorkellers.
• Snorkellers must stay within 20 metres of the Snorkel Leader who will be clearly marked by an attached dive float.
• PFD vests and/or wetsuits should be used by snorkellers to aid buoyancy and provide exposure protection.
• Shark shields are to be worn at all times.
• The Dive Coordinator, Snorkel Leader/s and Surface Lookout/s must maintain a close watch on all snorkellers, conduct frequent headcounts, maintain watch for any hazards such as boat traffic and be able to assist in an emergency.
• Snorkeller recall signals and emergency protocol must be understood by all.

Refer to section 8: snorkelling in the Diving and snorkelling procedures manual.

The use of Shark Shields is mandatory at Flinders University. Refer to the Shark shield user manual for correct operation.

Shark Shield Scuba 7 units are strongly recommended for all diving operations while Shark Shield Freedom 7 units are recommended for all snorkelling operations.

Note, any deviation from standard University diving or snorkelling procedure must be cleared by the Maritime Safety Dive Officer. Exemptions can be applied on the Diving/snorkelling plan form.

The ability to undertake frequent buddy and air checks is critical to ensure diver safety. In the event that you lose your buddy please ensure you have a good understanding of Lost buddy and dive buddy procedures.

In an event of an accident or incident the immediate health and safety of your team is of primary concern.

1. Apply DRSABCD immediately
2. Apply 100% oxygen to the injured diver.
3. Contact Divers Emergency Services (DES) 1800 088 200 (Australia) or +61 8 8212 9242 (overseas) for advice or if critical Emergency services (Police, Fire and Ambulance) 000 (Australia) or 112 (overseas).
   
4. In the event of possible Decompression Sickness (DCS) prepare for immediate transport to the nearest Hyperbaric chamber.
   

Once the injured diver is stable contact the Maritime Safety Dive Officer (Matt Lloyd - 0414 190 051), your supervisor and the University’s Associate Director WHS (Helen Webb - 0414 190 024). If uncontactable phone 24 hour University Security (8201 2880).

Record details of the incident in the dive log and tag out any faulty equipment. 
Then log accident/ incident onto FlinSafe Staff or FlinSafe - Casual staff, contractors, students and visitors. In the event of a “near-miss” please report to the Maritime Safety Dive Officer. Note, Dive Coordinators should carry a copy of the Diving emergency flowchart when undertaking diving operations.

Diving overseas can present a number of additional risks associated with a dive operation.

Refer to the Diving overseas guidelines.

DAN dive insurance is strongly recommended to provide appropriate cover for international short course students and volunteers.

All participants must abide by Flinders University Boating safety policy and procedures. Please refer to the University boats and boating activities page.

Meets on a quarterly basis to advise the Maritime Safety Dive Officer and the University Health and Safety committee. The Committee focuses on boating and diving safety, policy, procedures, operations and management.