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MBNMS:
NOAA
Diving Program Dive Safety and Planning
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The Dive
Safety and Planning Pre-Dive Checklist is to be completed by the assigned
NOAA Divemaster prior to NOAA dive operations.
PRE-DIVE
CHECKLIST
1. Mission
Safety
- Dive
operations are planned in accordance with the NOAA Diving Regulations.
The NOAA
Unit Diving Supervisor or NOAA Divemaster approves the planned dive
operations.
- A certified
NOAA Divemaster is in charge of the diving operations.
- All divers
are on active dive status with the NOAA Diving Program or have proof
of their diving status from agencies with NOAA diving reciprocity. Check
monthly rosters if in doubt.
- The Diving
Accident Management Plan is posted, coordinated and reviewed (i.e.,
chamber availability, evacuation route, etc.), and all personnel are
informed about their duties.
- Conduct
a pre-dive briefing.
- Dive
mission, objectives and goals are defined, reviewed and understood by
the dive team and support personnel.
2. Identify,
Analyze and Prepare for Potential Hazards
- Identify
dive, site entry procedures and exit access point(s).
- Define
depth, bottom time and minimum breathing gas limits for the planned
dive.
- Define
next deeper depth and next longer bottom time limits in case planned
limits are exceeded accidentally.
- Evaluate
and discuss potential for entrapment, entanglement, or other physical
or mechanical hazards.
- Evaluate
and discuss potential for bottom obstructions or dangerous bottom conditions.
* Evaluate and discuss potential for encountering dangerous marine life.
- Evaluate
and discuss surface and underwater conditions including strong current,
low visibility, cold water, thermoclines, surge, swell, fog, etc.
- Evaluate
and discuss potential for contamination or exposure to pollution (i.e.,
petroleum products, biological or chemical hazards, etc.).
- Evaluate
and discuss local marine traffic hazards. Notify vessel traffic systems
about diving operations.
- Complete
Dive Safe Ship Operations (NOAA Form 64-3), if applicable.
- Ensure
that Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available and reviewed for
all chemicals being used.
3. Diving
and Support Personnel
- Ensure
that all divers are authorized to perform their assigned duties according
to their NOAA certification levels (i.e., Working Diver, Scientific
Diver, Trainee Diver, or Observational Diver).
- Ensure
that all divers are qualified (i.e., properly trained and experienced)
to complete assigned underwater tasks safely.
- Verify
that all divers are physically and mentally fit to conduct the dive.
- Ensure
that dive physicals are available for each diver in case of an emergency.
- Ensure
that support personnel understand all diver hand signals, emergency
recall signals and can offer immediate assistance in case of an emergency.
- Ensure
that all divers are properly hydrated and rested before the dive.
- Evaluate
repetitive dive designations if a previous dive was made within 12 hours.
- Ensure
that all divers are outfitted in proper exposure equipment for environmental
or other conditions.
- Brief
the dive team and support personnel.
4. Equipment
- Ensure
all dive gear and techniques to be used are appropriate and authorized.
- Ensure
all required dive gear and tools are on-hand, inspected and found fully
functional prior to the divers departing for the dive and entering the
water.
- Ensure
all emergency and support equipment/supplies are available, inspected
and found fully functional prior to commencing dive operations, including:
- Drinking
water.
- Means
of communication (i.e., cellular telephone, landline telephone, SATCOM
etc.).
- Complete
diving first aid kit, first aid handbook, oxygen resuscitator and backboard.
- Divemaster
kit, including a complete set of 1999 U.S. Navy Dive Tables and other
required dive tables.
- Ensure
that the dive platform is stable, seaworthy and outfitted with appropriate
safety equipment.
- * Ensure
appropriate dive flags (sport and/or code alpha) are prominently displayed
during diving operations.
MBNMS Version:
May 2000
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