Safety

• Last dive details, check tissue code
• Air in BC - before and after dive.
• Depth and duration of dive.
• Descent rate 30 m/min. Ascent rate 15 m/min (follow smallest bubbles).
• Clear ears at surface and during descent.
• Squeezes: Mask - breath out through nose, Suit - inject air into suit
• Breathe continually and normally during course of dive
• Positioning - stay close, side by side, especially on descent
• Buoyancy - maintain neutral buoyancy.
• Specific dangers - weak structures, shipping fairways, tides and currents, weather, monofilament nets, dangerous fish, surface traffic, low viz. Do not enter wrecks without a line.
• Identify any triggers for aborting the dive, i.e., kit failure, certain tank pressure, cold, tired, current too strong, anxiety etc.
• Ascent procedure - hand above head 360^o turn.

Exercise

• Agreed dive plan, objectives - tasks - pleasure - exploration - wrecking - photography.
• Training skills to be learnt

Equipment

• Completeness and correct assembly
• Head to toe check and familiarisation including computer check
• Special equipment e.g., SMB shot lines, buddy line, lifting bags

Discipline

• Attention to Instructor / dive leader
• Do not anticipate, wait until signalled
• Order and method of entry
• OK signal to boat - Buoyancy and leak checks.
• Assemble shot line - method of descent - (Feet first in dry suit).
• Descent signal buddy/boat.
• Settle at bottom before moving off.
• Buddy monitoring from head down to head to head up.
• Positions in water.
• Separation procedure (underwater and at surface).
• Decompression stops
• Method and order of Exit
• Boat discipline and procedures.

Signals

• ‘OK’, ‘not OK’, ‘up’, ‘down’, ‘out of air’, ‘out of breath’, ‘stop’, ‘come on’, ‘danger’, ‘distress’, ‘level off’, ‘buddy up’, ‘cold’, ‘on reserve’, ‘show me your air contents’.
• Instructor signals, ‘you watch me’, ‘you repeat’
• Rope signals
• Torch signals
• Special signals (Boat recall)

Plan the dive and dive the plan

Debrief