The Golden Rule is to operate as a single team of divers at all times i.e. a team of individual divers acting as a single force with a common objective.

All actions that are taken during the normal course of diving and/or emergency situations will as a result affect the whole team and the team will thus act according to predetermined protocols.

The cardinal rule for all dive planning is: plan your dive and dive your plan.

Honesty and frankness is required by all team members regarding their capabilities and observations of fellow team members, as on a technical dive, one needs to put your trust in the abilities of your fellow team member(s).

All dives will be in accordance with the certification levels of the various divers.

Due to the nature of this type of diving, the inherent risks and probabilities of contracting Decompression Illness are higher than normal, and as a result, it is mandatory for all members of Team Underwater Explorers to possess DAN Master Level diving insurance.

What follows is an outline of a typical OC dive with Team Underwater Explorers. (Contact us for additional CCR protocols) It is not a set of rules cast in stone, but an ever-evolving set of parameters within which we operate, so as to ensure maximum safety and enjoyment and minimal risk.

PRE DIVE

Planning

On site

THE DIVE

Descent

At depth

Ascent

Emergency

POST DIVE

DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE SKIPPER

DUTIES OF THE SAFETY DIVER

PRE DIVE

Planning:

1.Arrive at the dive site at least 45 minutes before departure time, so as to be relaxed and have ample time to adequately prepare for the dive. Any team member arriving late will not be permitted to dive due to their unnecessary high stress level and irregular breathing pattern. They will however be charged for the dive.

2.All divers are to be well rested and not to have consumed any alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to the dive. Aggressive hydration should form part of your pre-dive routine.

3.Have all equipment assembled/prepared and checked the previous evening. The state of your equipment will have an impact on the other members in the group and as such, equipment integrity is vital. Under no circumstances will a team member be permitted to dive if they start stripping and re-assembling gear at the dive site. All equipment is to be checked before loading it onto the boat.

4.A pre-dive briefing will be conducted by the skipper with the intention to:

    * Verify the dive profile/tables with all team members. Dive plans will be in the following sequence:

          o 1 = standard dive plan

          o 2 = too deep

          o 3 = too long

          o 4 = no oxygen/ deco gas

    * Ensure that all divers have a copy of each schedule and that they understand all the required stops and gas switches for the plan to be dived and all contingency plans.

    * That all divers are to carry a copy of the “Short Dive Plan” schedules (for dives that are aborted with less than 5 minutes bottom time).

    * Verify the amount of gas needed for each specific profile. Ensure that all team members have sufficient gas for all contingencies.

    * Confirm the turn-around pressure with all the divers (for non-OHE dives the turnaround pressure will be half the starting pressure, whilst for any OHE dives the modified rule of thirds will be followed).

    * Confirm the team members.

    * Determine the order of descent.

    * Confirm that a “bubble check” will be performed at 6m.

    * Confirm who will inflate the lift bag that is attached to the shot (and who will assist if necessary.)

    * Confirm who will clip the swim line off to the shot line (if applicable).

    * Determine the activity of the divers. (Penetration, ascent up shot or free ascent).

    * Determine the order of ascent (if ascending up the shot line).

    * Confirm who will deploy the DSMB if ascending up the shot line and from what depth.

    * Upon ascending, confirm the depth and mix at which gas changes will take place.

    * If free ascending, confirm at what depth each diver will deploy their SMB.

    * Confirm that during the last 6m, an ascent rate of 1m / minute will be followed. Ensure all the safety protocols are in place.

On site:

1.The surface support crew will assist in kitting up and gear checks.

2.Each individual diver is however responsible for ensuring that all equipment is correct located and that all checks have been completed. The opening of all valves must be undertaken by the diver themselves. The assistant can simply verbally confirm this with the diver.

THE DIVE

Diving will take place strictly according to the specific dive plan and within the limits as determined by the group. For no reason other than an emergency will a contingency plan be used. If any diver(s) become separated from the group, the missing diver and remaining divers in the group must return to the shot line and ascend immediately, unless the missing diver is located at the shot line and is able to continue the dive.

Decent:

1.Prior to descending, the group is to ensure that all divers are ready to descend.

2.At a depth of 6 metres the group is to stop and perform a bubble check/S-drill. If any leak occurs the group is to ascend! A leak in the HP system will result in that persons dive being terminated. The remaining divers may then proceed according to plan. A leak in the LP system can be judged on it’s location and severity and the group is to then reach consensus as to whether or not the person will dive.

3.During the bubble check/S-drill the following is to be performed: a simulated out of air emergency check for leaks on the pillar valves of the main rig and slings of your team member, open and close your slings to check for free flows, ensure that all gear is correctly positioned on your team member, ensure that all divers continue their descent simultaneously

4.The time of the descent from the surface to the bubble check, together with the time spend at the bubble check, must be included in the descent time.

5.All divers are to maintain contact with the shot line at all stages of the descent.

6.The rate of descent to be followed will be 20m/minute.

At depth:

1.The shot will be handled by a predetermined diver. Assistance can be given by the designated assistant, but over eagerness can be an obstacle

2.While the lift bag is being inflated, the divers are to obtain neutral buoyancy and check their narcosis levels and general orientation.

3.All divers are to stay as a group, however try and remain close to your designated team member.

4.Keep a constant eye on the actions of the other divers (be able to report any inconsistent behaviour during the debriefing).

5.5. If bad visibility warrants it, the predetermined diver will clip off the swim line and the team will follow the line with an encircled finger.

6.If visibility is less than 1/2 metre at maximum depth, the team will abort the dive.

7.If a problem occurs, take the necessary steps to deal with it and then taking into account it’s severity, decide whether to abort or not.

8.If any problem occurs on the LP or HP system, the dive must be aborted.

9.If one diver needs to ascend, the whole team will ascend.

10.If there is any change in the dive plan due to a problem or emergency, ensure that the team is notified thereof.

11.Towards the end of the dive time, get ready early enough to ascend, so that you start your ascent exactly on time and that your run times will be correct.

12.Anyone can call the dive, at anytime, for any reason. The rest of the team does not have a discretion. If a team member gives the “surface” signal, the group will immediately begin the ascent without questioning the diver’s decision.

13.If aborting the dive within 5 minutes of bottom time, simply follow your deco obligations on your “Short Dive Plan”.

14.If aborting the dive after 5 minutes of bottom time, but short of your total run time, follow the required stops of your original dive plan and ignore the run time. Complete all your deco obligations on the correct gases.

15.If ascending from a shallower depth than your planned max depth, and you arrive at your first deep stop early (1-3 minutes), simply wait at the deep stop until the run time has caught up. Monitor your gas (especially if still on back gas).

Ascent:

1.Ascend strictly according to the plan.

2.Prepare early enough for the switching of mixes.

3.The switching of mixes must take place immediately only upon reaching the MOD of that specific gas.

4.Check that other divers are using the correct gas at a given depth.

5.When ascending up the shot line, only the predetermined diver will send up an SMB from the predetermined deep stop.

6.If the team does a free ascent, each individual diver will send up their orange/red SMB from the predetermined deep stop, whilst ensuring that the lines do not become entangled.

7.If for some reason the team splits up upon ascent, try to ensure that at least one other diver is with you, and then simply continue with your deco obligations.

8.If any emergency occurs, send up your yellow SMB and wait for the safety diver and/or emergency oxygen from the boat.

9.If a diver within the team experiences a problem during deco, the diver with the most remaining deco gas must stay with the individual until he can ascend or until the safety diver arrives.

10.Ensure that at all times an ascent rate of 5m/minute is followed. Pay particular attention to the final ascent from 6 metres. This should be as slow as possible. Ascend at 1m/minute for the final 6 metres. With all divers adhering strictly to the dive schedule, all divers should arrive at the surface simultaneously (unless in an emergency situation).

Emergency:

1.A yellow Surface Marker Buoy will indicate that a diver has a problem. The diver can fire it off with a second reel/ spool or attach it to his primary up-line and let it slide up the line.

2.In the event that this occurs the following procedures will be followed:

1.The boat will proceed to the buoy as soon as possible.

2.Depending on the diver's run time, either a stage cylinder with back gas will be lowered to the diver to a maximum depth of 21m, alternatively should the skipper deem it best, an oxygen cylinder attached to a buoy with 6 metres of line will be lowered to the diver.

3.A safety diver will descend to the diver, evaluate the situation and then take the necessary action.

POST DIVE

1.Adhere to the standard protocols relating to post dive activities following deep dives, as a method of minimising the risks of Decompression Illness with specific attention to aggressive re-hydration and no exercise.

2. Keep a close eye on each other as long as possible after the dive to check for any signs and symptoms of DCI.

3.Conduct a thorough debriefing. Give constructive criticism of the team’s performance and of any event(s) that occurred during the dive.

DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE SKIPPER

1.Prepare the boat and ensure that all the dive safety gear (emergency oxygen, shot line, buoys etc.) has been packed and is in working order.

2.Conduct the pre-dive briefing.

3.Inform SA Navy Operations Control Room or Port Control when necessary.

4.Assist with kitting up the divers. Verbally check that all valves have been opened.

5.Keep track of the divers schedule(s). Know what time they descended and at what time to expect their SMB’S.

6.Maintain a diligent lookout and be prepared to mark the position of a diver with the GPS if the circumstances require it.

7.Take charge of an emergency should one occur.

8.Give instructions to the safety diver regarding emergency procedures/protocols.

DUTIES OF THE SAFETY DIVER

1.The minimum certification for the safety diver is Rescue Diver with an in-date First Aid/CPR certificate and oxygen administration experience. It is strongly recommended that the safety diver have a technical diving certification.

2.Be conversant with the emergency procedures/protocols of the skipper and divers.

3.Carry two sets of slates or wet notes for emergency communication.

4.Assist with kitting up the divers. Verbally check that all valves have been opened.

5.Keep track of the planned schedules and more importantly the deco obligations of the divers. Be able to time their stops.

6.On all dives the Safety Diver will meet the team at a designated depth and check that all is OK.

7.The Safety Diver will remain with the team until the O2 swap at 6m, observing that the gas switch is performed safely. The Safety Diver will remain at 6m for a maximum of 3 minutes, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.  

8.In the unlikely event of a yellow SMB breaking the surface, the Safety Diver is to immediately lower the emergency back gas/oxygen stage cylinder to the diver(s) and then descend themselves to check on the status of the diver(s). (Which gas is to be lowered will be confirmed by the skipper after confirmation of the run times of the team.) Once the problem has been addressed, the Safety Diver is to ascend and communicate the problem to the skipper who will then decide on the best course of action.