| 4D Diving Club Safety Protocol |
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4D Diving and Adventures Safety Protocol Revised June 2010 The Safety Policy as posted on the 4D Diving Web site shall be considered the current and accurate version.
1. General: When attending any or all 4D Diving and Adventures functions all Members and their guests whether they are divers or non-divers must follow all 4D Diving guidelines, polices, safety protocol and charter as well as ACUC guidelines and standards. In addition any charter boat policies should be followed, should they be applicable. It is never an acceptable option to be present and opt of the above and to state that you are not with 4D Diving and Adventues.
2. Briefings: The 4D Divemaster will offer a Pre-dive and Post Dive Briefings for all water based activities. This may be included in the post-dive completion of log books. All divers must stop and listen to these. They are a point of safety not to be missed. In addition these briefings will provide information about the dive and other important club activities.
3. Club Sanctioned Dives means that one of our Dive Masters or Instructors will be present. Club dives will be posted on the website and/or emailed to members at least 48 hours before the dive will take place. Any dive posted without a Dive Master or Instructor will be considered a non-club sanctioned dive and will be indicated as such. In these cases the divers are diving on their own and this will not be a 4D Diving activity.
4. Depth: The diver agrees not to exceed 130 feet in depth. Basic Open Water Divers agree not to exceed 60 feet in depth. On Dives where 4D Diving appointed Dive Master in charge has set a maximum depth and time they shall not be exceeded by any diver.
5. A Safety Bottle (hang tank with regs) will be set for all boat dives deeper than 80 feet for emergency use.
6. No-Decompression:
1. The diver using tables agrees to use the DCIEM based - No Decompression Diving Limits for all Group dives. On Dives where there is a Group appointed Dive Master in charge No Decompression Diving Limits will be set using the currently published ACUC Sport Diving tables.
2. Divers using computers agree to confirm their use and permission to base your dive on them from the 4D Diving appointed Dive Master in charge. 4D Diving appointed Dive Master in charge has the right to overrule any dive plan based on a computer in favour for the currently published ACUC Sport Diving tables. This decision is final and his or her responsibility. Keeping track of non decompression limits for groups is not easy and will be done so as to provide the safest overall dive for all divers concerned.
7. Diver Recall: The Dive Master will announce the diver recall device to be used on all group sanctioned dives as a form of recall. Upon hearing the signal all divers must surface and then return to shore (or dive boat if applicable). This will be covered at all briefings and all members must be aware to their use and recall when called upon.
8. Air: The diver agrees to have no less than 500 psi in his/her tank at the end of a dive, with no exceptions. In addition as a recreational scuba club all diving will take place using standard recreational limits of diving using ACUC Air Tables on Open Circuit equipment only with a single tank not exceeding 110 cubic feet unless covered by paragraph "9" below and pre-approved at least 24 hours in advance. – For example the use of a low or high pressure tank.
9. Courses: For safety reasons all courses are to be completed within six months of the actual start date of the course. Courses not completed by this date will result in the student being marked as a non pass and the student file will filed and considered as finished. Any extensions or exceptions to this date rule must be in writing from the chief instructor prior to the expiry of the six month date limit and will not exceed one year.
10. All Divers must dive within their certification level, in order to prove this the diver must show both proof of certification and recent relevant experience (where "recent relevant experience" is determined by a 4D Diving club Instructor or Chief Divemaster or be accompanied by a qualified club instructor. In cases where these two requirements are not able to be provided then only the 4D Diving and Adventures Chief Instructor can can make an exception and let the person dive and if so will appoint the Divemaster or Instructor to dive with the person as they deem appropriate.
11. Specialty Dives: The diver must show proof of certification and recent relevant experience (where "recent relevant experience" as determined by a 4D Diving club Instructor or Chief Divemaster or be accompanied by a qualified club instructor for that specialty in order to book or participate in a Group Sanctioned Specialty Dive or a Regular Open Water Dive with specialty equipment. Any dives or equipment uses not covered in 9) a) and 9) b) are considered Specialty.
1. Regular Open Water Dive is defined as a dive of a duration lasting less than 60 minutes in less than 60 feet conducted during daylight hours in water that allows direct vertical access to the surface. Open water dives therefore shall not be conducted in wrecks, underwater caves or below ice. These dives will be conducted with a minimum underwater visibility of at least 3 meters / 10 feet where waves are no higher than 50cm / 2 feet and a minimal current.
2. Basic Equipment : The Basic Open Water diver equipment as taught by ACUC and 4D Diving includes mask, snorkel, fins, wet neoprene environmental protection (hood, gloves, boots, wetsuit), weight belt or integrated weight system, buoyancy compensator, open circuit regulator set (first stage, second stage, redundant second stage/octopus, buoyancy compensator hose), gauge set (which includes air gauge, depth gauge, compass), single steel or aluminum tank not larger than a 100 cubic foot, float and flag, reel.
3. Specialty Equipment: Specialty equipment is defined as any equipment not listed as Basic Equipment (see above). This includes but is not limited to double or triple tank setups, pony bottles, rebreathers, any tank filled with a composition other than 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen, underwater camera, back plate systems, hose lengths that are non standard for recreational diving, anything related to the use of a dry suit (the dry suit itself, dry suit whip, etc), anything related to night related dive conditions (i.e. primary light, back up light, tank light, float light).
12. Nitrox: Unless the Dive Master running the dive is Nitrox Certified all divers must breathe Air. In dives where the Dive Master is Nitrox certified qualified divers may use Nitrox, staying within the DCIEM limit of 1.45 ATA O2 and use the currently published ACUC Sport Diving tables. In addition as a recreational scuba club all diving will take place using standard recreational limits of diving using ACUC Air or Nitrox Tables on Open Circuit equipment only. All tanks must be a single tank not exceeding 110 cubic feet.
13. Equipment: Divers are responsible for ensuring that all their gear is in proper working order and is professionally maintained. It is both the position of ACUC and 4D Diving that we can not authorize during any of its courses or dives breathing or buoyancy equipment that has not been previously authorized by the National Standards body of the country where the dive or course takes place, nor has it been professionally serviced. In addition a diver's equipment will conform to a standard industry use as seen in our geographic region.
14. Necessary Equipment for a diver:
1. Certification Card and Log Book. These are required for all water based activities. Any certification card or cards for specialty dives or the use of specialty equipment must be on site for that dive, unless the diver is on a course and is accompanied by a 4D Diving Instructor.
2. Log books are to be kept current and shall include necessary emergency contact information. They will be given to the Divemaster in charge or their duly appointed assistant. It will include recent relevant experience to the dive at hand unless the diver is on a course and is accompanied by a 4D Diving Instructor.
3. Regulators. Only modern serviced open circuit regulators will be permitted for use. No closed or semi closed systems will be allowed in any water environment.
4. Second Air Source, octopus ( spare air and pony bottles required specialty rating)
5. Submersible pressure gauge and depth gauge
6. Buoyancy Compensating Device (with large diameter inflation hose)
7. Except for boat dives, where the boat captain has raised a Diver down flag, each buddy team of two divers must carry an approved Diver Down float and flag system. This must include all of these three items: the diver down Flag, A Buoyant Float, and a rope and suitable reel. This combination must be carried with the divers at all times when in the water and never tied off and left. In addition the rope must be towed in a tight manner (for example if the diver buddy team is at 30 feet than no more than 35 feet of rope should be let out.
8. Wear an exposure suit (Wet or Dry) which is rated for the conditions of the dive both thermal and environmental.
9. All divers require a specific recognized certification to allow them to dive with any and all equipment. This includes but in not limited to dry suits, Diver Propulsion Vehicles, cameras. In addition the dive buddy must also have the specific certification. These activities are to be supervised by a Diver Master or Instructor with the same specific recognized certification and qualifications.
15. Dive Master and Logs:
1. The official Dive master for all sanctioned divers will complete a Dive Master Log Sheet and will turn it in to the Chief Dive Master within 48 hours. Unless there is an incident in which it will be turned in immediately.
2. All divers agree to the responsibility of filling in all pertinent data on the Dive Master sheet.
3. In addition all divers are required to plan their own dive using their Log Books and Dive Tables to ensure that they are able to safely participate in the planned dive.
4. All divers must report to and receive permission from 4D Diving appointed Dive Master in charge or the appointed Dive Controller or Recorder before entering the water and immediately upon exiting the water.
5. All divers will report to and receive permission from 4D Diving appointed Dive Master in charge prior to leaving the dive site.
6. Divers must complete their Log Books after completing each dive.
16. The Pool Safety Policies.
1. Briefings: The 4D Divemaster will offer a Pre-dive and Post Dive Briefings for all water based activities. All divers must stop and listen to these. They are a point of safety not to be missed. In addition these briefings will provide information about the dive and other important club activities.
2. At all times members must follow club Safety Protocol and the club Constitution.
3. All divers must present the Certification Card and an up to date Log Books before entering any water activity.
4. All persons using the pool must have, as a minimum, Skin diving gear (mask, snorkel and fins), unless lifeguards are on duty.
5. Only certified diving members may participate in Recreational scuba activities in the pool. Unless the non-certified person is with a 4D Diving Dive Master.
6. All members including Non diving members may participate in Skin Diving (Snorkeling) activities.
7. Members may use their own gear in the pool.
17. Alcohol or Drugs: The diver agrees not to consume alcohol or drugs 12 hours before a dive, or to bring alcohol or drugs on any group boat or activity. Persons diving with prescription drugs should only do so on the advice of their doctor. If you are just starting a prescription medication it is always best to avoid diving until such time as any personal side effects are known.
18. Proper conduct and language: At all times all group members and their guests must behave and speak in an appropriate manner which reflects the nature of the fun family atmosphere. Profane or abusive language is prohibited. This includes proper attire (e.g. Offensive images or words/phrases on clothing). In addition, we must remember that we are all representatives of our group and want it to be seen with respect in the community.
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