Pre-Dive Risk Assessment
Things divers need to consider in prevention of diving
accidents:
1. Careful selection and predive physical examination of the divers.
2. Careful selection of the appropriate equipment and gas mixtures
for
the dive.
3. Careful predive planning to identify potential problems and
formulate
contingency plans.
Physical standards of divers can be found on this web site in
many places. Generally, the requirement is for a vigorous, emotionally
mature
individual free of any systemic disease or conditions
that are well-controlled. Dives should not be undertaken with
temporary acute illnesses, such as ENT
infections, hangovers, substance abuse, bronchitis or 'pneumonia',
seasickness or excessive fatigue.
Careful evaluation and control of the type of Underwater
Breathing
Apparatus to be used on the dive.
References here include:
US Navy Diving Manual - Various Volumes.
Bevan, J. Commercial Diving Equipment and Procedures in Bennett
and
Elliott, "The Physiology and Medicine of Diving", 1993
Protective Garments Selection
Selection should be for protection against thermal insult,
dangerous marine life, cuts and abrasions, chemical and microbiologic
pollution.
NOAA Diving Manual: Diving for Science and Technology, 3rd Edit.
Oct,
1991.
Hayes, P: Thermal Protectiuon Equipment, In Rey L: Arctic Underwater
Operations.
London. Graham and Trotman, 1985.
Predive planning includes:
---Proper scheduling to avoid fatigue, to remain within O2 limits,
and
to avoid excessive decompression obligations.
---Consider water temperature, current, workload and visibility.
---Maximize efficiency and safety by careful division of each diver
bottom
time packet.
---Thorough knowledge of all equipment to be used by the divers
and
support personnel.
---A thorough knowledge of the decompression schedules must be
obtained
by all concerned.
---Preparation to diagnose and treat all diving accidents as they
arise.
---Proper diagnostic and therapeutic equipment must be on
the scene and operable.
---Have proper communications setup with backup medical and recompression
facilities.
---Have a transport plan available.
---Have a source of 100% oxygen available during transport.
