1. BSAC Ocean Diver Training
Going Diving

2. Going Diving Aim Understand the practicalities of going: Buddy diving
Overall diving organisation
The role of the Dive Manager
The dive plan
Going on a dive
Pilotage and vision underwater

3. Buddy Diving Diving as a buddy pair = Safety & Enjoyment
Monitor each other and assist if necessary
Help in kitting-up, entry, exit and de-kitting
Develop diving skills with more experienced buddies
Share, compare and learn from diving experiences
Discover the type of diving you enjoy

4. Overall Dive Organisation
Dive Manager
The Dive Manager:
is responsible for all diving on site
Selects suitable site
Arranges the buddy pairs
Gives dive brief
Buddy pair:
Lodge dive plan with DM
Lodge dive details with DM after dive
Buddy pair
DM Dive Brief
Buddy
Dive Plan
Max. Depth
Max. Time
Dive details

5. The Dive Manager’s Role
Responsible to the Diving Officer/Lead Instructor
Assessing risks
Buddy pairings
Diving grade and depth limitations
Monitor conditions
Information and Safety Brief
Dive site information
Hazards to avoid
Surface support cover, Assistant Dive Manager
Separation procedure
In assessing all the risks the Dive Manager can abort diving at their discretion

6. The Dive Plan - SEEDS Safety Exercise - dive objective Equipment
Fit to dive
Within capabilities
Exercise - dive objective
Depth & time (tables or computer)
Breathing gas - Rule of Thirds
Equipment
All present and working
Discipline
Agree who is dive leader
Stay together
Separation procedure
Signals - normal & any special

7. Before the Dive Confirm dive plan with the Dive Manager
Dive duration
Planned depth
Dive objective etc.
The buddy brief - recap the plan
Dive objective
Depth and time
Breathing Gas “check points”
Signals
Separation procedure

8. The Buddy Check Buoyancy Air Releases Direct feeds working
Dump valves working
Controlled by dry suit or BC?
Air
Check primary demand valve
Check easy access to octopus and ensure it is working
Releases BC
Dry suit direct feed
Weight belt or weight system

9. Going on the Dive Plan (SEEDS) Brief Kit up Buddy check De-kit Debrief
Log details
Entry
Exit
Descent
Ascent
The Dive

10. The Dive - Entries Shore Shore or large boat Small boat
Wade in
Assist with fin fitting
Shore or large boat
Stride or forward roll entry
Sufficient water depth
Clear of other divers
Small boat
Backwards roll entry
Clear of other divers
Following entry
Diver to give OK to surface cover

11. The Dive - Descent OK/down Stay together Clear ears Shelf or wall
Shot line
Stay together
Shelf or wall
Clear ears
Buoyancy control
Check depth
Check breathing gas
Check octopus
Check buoyancy
OK to continue

12. During the Dive Stay together Monitor conditions Monitor depth
Monitor breathing gas
Monitor buddy
Keep to plan
Separation procedure
If unhappy at any point - abort the dive

13. The Dive - Ascent Signal OK to buddy Signal OK to surface cover
Controlled 1 min. ascent to surface
Buoyancy control
6m check depth
Stay together
Buoyancy control
OK/up

14. The Dive - Exits Shore Shore or large boat Small Boat Wade out
Assist with fin removal
Shore or large boat
Steps or ladder
Mask, demand valve, gas in BC
Stay clear of diver on ladder
Small Boat
Remove weight belt
Remove scuba equipment
Fin upwards into boat

15. Post Dive Dive details Buddy dive debrief
To Dive Manager for Branch/Centre records
For own dive logbook
Buddy dive debrief
What you have seen
What you have learnt or experienced
Any areas for improvement/more practice
Any kit configuration adaptations for future dives

16. Dive Flags The International ‘A’ Flag American Sport Divers Flag
I have divers down, stay clear and reduce speed
American Sport Divers Flag
Divers below, stay clear

17. Underwater Pilotage Underwater features Mentally map the features
On outward journey for return journey
Monitor depth

18. Refracted rays pass from water to air
Vision Underwater
Underwater “vis” = horizontal range of vision
Air
Focusing of the eye in air and underwater
Actual object
Apparent image
Refracted rays pass from water to air

19. Colour Underwater Absorption of colour underwater 5m 10m 15m 20m 25m

20. Colour Underwater Natural light With artificial light
Suspended particles, ‘turbidity’, reduces light and visibility

21. Summary
Diving is an adventurous sport and its risks need to be assessed and managed to make it as safe as possible
The importance of buddy diving
Understanding dive organisation
Understanding the role of the Dive Manager
Preparing, briefing and checking before the dive
Diving the plan
Pilotage and vision underwater