DIVING PROJECT

PLAN
LIFE PROJECT
BAHAMAS FILMING

DIVING PROJECT PLAN

REFERENCES
A.
B.

Diving at Work Regulations 1997

Approved Code of Practice for Media Diving Projects

GENERAL OUTLINE
1.
Programme 2 of the LIFE Series involves the filming and sinking of a boat. This will take place
mile southwest of New Providence and due South of Goulden Cay. All diving will take place from Boats.
The boats are purpose built for diving.
DIVING CONTRACTOR
2.
The diving contractor is Triton Scuba Ltd, 147 Highland Road, Southsea, PO4 9EY. Boats will be
provided by Stuart Coves Dive Centre, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas
SITE INFORMATION
3.
The site is an area 13m deep (to a maximum of 14m at high tide). Precise coordinates are N
25.00921, W 007.34.186 It is protected from winds and currents by a shallow bank of sand and reef to the
North East that goes between new Providence and Goulden Cay. Visibility is in excess of 20m. The journey
time to the nearest harbour is approximately 40 minutes.

4.
Bottom composition is sand with an area of shallow coral reef to the South West. Currents at the
site were minimal even during tidal ebb and flow. The islands are in the Hurricane belt and the season is
from June to December. Hurricanes and storms can reduce visibility in the area, however, the site is
protected by the island of New Providence to some extent.

OUT OF WATER FACILITIES

5.
The nearest facilities are located at Stuart Coves dive centre, the location of which is also shown on
the image above. Facilities include a parking area, toilet facilities, coffee and food, shop, air station,
emergency telephones and facilities, nitrox and oxygen.
6.
Access to the dive centre is by road. The travel time to the emergency recompression chamber and
hospital at Lyfords Cay is approximately 10 minutes. Nassau is approximately 30 minutes drive.
DIVE BOATS
7.
The dive centre owns several dive boats. These are all equipped with VHF Short Range Radios,
emergency oxygen and first aid equipment, and emergency equipment sufficient for the licensed number of
passengers on board. All boat skippers are required by Bahamaian law to have a boat operating license, the
STCW qualification. Surface cover, including a qualified first aid provider and O2 administrator will be on the
boat at all times during diving operations.
DIVE PROJECT MINIMUM STAFF AND RESPONSIBILITIES
8.
In accordance with Reference A and B minimum diving qualification for this project will be CMAS 3*
or equivalency. Note that this is an additional acceptable qualification endorsed by HSE. A full list of
acceptable qualifications can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/diving/qualifications/med.htm
9.
All Supervisors are to be appointed in writing. A copy of the letter of appointment is attached to this
project plan.
10.
Method of Operation: Diving will take place using a minimum 3 man dive team at all times. At least
one diver must have sole responsibility to act as a support diver; they cannot double up as a camera diver.
The team will consist of a surface supervisor (who will be appointed on the daily log sheet), a diver and a
support diver in the water. In accordance with Section 47 of Reference B recommendations, an additional
team member is required to be on the boat in order to render assistance during casualty recovery.
11.

Specific Responsibilities:

Team Member
Supervisor

Diver

Responsibilities
Coordinate the planning, preparation and conduct of the dive including all Health and
safety aspects.
Liaison with the outside agencies, harbour masters, site owners and other
organisations as necessary
Establishment and maintain the Daily Dive Plan and Dive Log
Establishment and maintain the Daily Site Risk Assessment and the Task Risk
Assessment. Annotate any changes in risk and implement additional control
measures.
Ensuring that diving activities are carried out in accordance with the Diving Project
Plan and Safety Policy
Ensuring that on-going risk evaluations are updated during the progress of the work
Brief all personnel before the start of diving activities each day
Assist divers with equipment
Ensure that all equipment is in working order and fit for task
Ensure that all divers are fit and qualified to dive (HSE medical)
Ensure that first aid and oxygen trained personnel are available at the surface at all
times
Ensure that recompression facilities are available in accordance with the
requirements of references A and B
Provide and update an emergency action plan as required
Control all decompression schedules
Must be trained to the appropriate level for the task (refer to ACOP at Reference B)
Must be in trained in rescue techniques
Supporting the Supervisor in his activities
Maintain personal diving log
Maintain fitness to dive and ensure current HSE medical is in date

Support Diver

Ensure that equipment is maintained and fit for purpose

Be capable of rendering assistance to the support diver if in difficulty
Control decompression schedules
Responsibilities as per the Diver (above)
Be capable of rendering assistance to the Diver if in difficulty

EQUIPMENT
Above Water
Above the water the following equipment must be available:
First aid Kit
Oxygen Kit
Flag Alpha/International diving flag
Signalling device
Mobile Phone or VHF Radio
Emergency Action Plan
Below Water
In addition to standard diving equipment all divers are to carry the following items:
Second air supply (AAS minimum but pony cylinder preferred)
Whistle or signalling device
Compass
Cutting Implement
GENERIC RISK ASSESMENT FOR DIVING ON SCUBA
DIVE SITE: GOULDEN CAY, BAHAMAS 14 - 25 AUGUST 2007
ASSESSOR: D M JONES
Identified Risk
Diver Suitability

Actions to minimise risk

Every diver in the team must be
qualified to at least CMAS 3* or
equivalent
Every diver must have an in date HSE
medical

All equipment must be serviced in line

with manufacturers guidelines

CMAS 3* equivalencies are given the HSE

website
www.hse.gov.uk/diving/qualifications/med.htm
See also:
HSE DWR 1997 Regulation 13(1)(a);
AcoP sections 86-95 (pages 19-20).
HSE DWR 1997 Regulation 13(1)(b);
ACoP sections 96-101 (pages 21-22)
A formal agreed maintenance schedule is
recommended (ACoP section 81)

All equipment must be assessed prior

to a diving operation by a competent
person to ensure that it is suitable,
compatible and functional.

Having one person in overall control of

equipment provision should be considered. That
person should undertake formal training in
equipment maintenance where possible.

If there are any concerns over

equipment performance then the diving
operation should be terminated. Each
diver must be supplied with breathing
gas to a recognized standard and
adequate in volume and rate of supply
for the specific diving operation

Current British standard for air purity is BS4001

(see SDSC guidelines page 15). Mixed gas
analyses should always be carried out twice
before use.

The minimum dive team for SCUBA

The minimum requirements for a diving team at

Every diver must be considered to be

fit to dive by the supervisor

Equipment
Maintenance

Dive Team

Additional Comments
(cross-reference with other RAs and/or
References
The minimum requirements for a diving team at
work are given by HSE Diving at Work
Regulations 1997 (HSE DWR 1997) Regulation
6(3)(a) and detailed in the Media Approved Code
of Practice (referred to as ACoP)

An alternative breathing gas source or secondary

life support system should be provided for
emergency use.

consists of a Supervisor, a Diver and a

Buddy. VHF or mobile phone
connection to a fourth competent
person is recommended as an addition
to the minimum team size

Dive Supervisor
Competence

Communications

Decompression
Diving

Incorrect
Emergency
Procedures

If relying on remote communications

for connection to the fourth team
member, then those communications
must be tested prior to departure to
and at the site of the diving operation.
Every Diving Operation must have a
Dive Supervisor in charge of the
operation, nominated, in writing, by the
Diving Contractor.
Every Diving Supervisor must be
competent. Minimum Standard of
competence is CMAS Level 3 ie, the
same as the competence required to
be a diver under the Media ACOP
The Dive Supervisor should have
some method of communication with
the divers. Hard-wire or through-water
voice communications is the preferred
method. Roped diver or diver Surface
Marker Buoys (SMBs) are also
considered acceptable as long as the
Dive Supervisor can easily gain access
to the SMB (by boat for example).
Surface noise signals are acceptable
where familiarization training for that
technique has been undertaken.
Every Diving Supervisor should have
the means to communicate with third
parties and these should be tested.
Decompression procedures must be
determined by reference
to approved Decompression
Tables
Diving to the limits of any
decompression table is not
recommended. Additional safety can
be provided through the use of mixed
gases, limiting the number of dives per
day, avoiding provocative dive profiles
and applying nominal but agreed
percentage limits.
Dive computers can permit unsafe
diving practices and their use should
only be allowed in association with
decompression tables as back-up.
Altitude allowances for travel back
from a diving operation must be made
where applicable.
All team members must be
aware of the agreed emergency
plan for each diving operation. The
emergency plan must be specific to
every diving operation.
It is recommended that ALL dive team
members are qualified to at least HSE
First Aid at Work standard

work are given by HSE DWR 1997 Regulation

6(3)(a); ACoP sections 47-52

Through water communications between diver

and surface are recommended
HSE DWR 1997 Regulation 9(1)
ACOP Section 92, 93

ACOP Sections 69 71
It is a requirement to ensure that
communications have been established with
shore base prior to diving taking place in
accordance with Section 71.

HSE DWR 1997 Regulation 8(1), (3)

ACOP Section 74
Maximum Decompression allowable without
recompression chamber on site is to be 20
minutes For further details see ACOP
Section 75

ACOP Sections 72, 73. Emergency procedures

used by the boats operating in the Bahamas
must be ascertained prior to commencement of
diving operations
It is recommended that the first aid box be sealed
in order to indicate use. The contents should be
checked for being in date at intervals of no less

Boat Handling
Competence

Manual Handling

Running out of
Breathing Gas

Entrapment

An emergency supply of oxygen must

be available for every diving operation
and the volume of that supply must be
assessed in line with predicted
emergency transfer times.
A diving-specific first aid kit must be
available for every diving operation.
(e) The Dive Supervisor should be
aware of the nearest recompression
chamber to the site of the diving
operation. Contact with the chamber
immediately prior to undertaking the
diving operation is recommended.
Evacuation procedures to the nearest
recompression chamber must be
entered on to the diving operation plan.
Diving from small boats (inflatables or
RIBs) must only be undertaken with a
fully competent coxswain in charge of
boat handling.
All diving operations undertaken from
larger displacement vessels must be
undertaken with the full knowledge and
involvement of the boat/ships Master.
All diving operations conducted beyond
12m from shore must comply with the
marine legislation and specialist advice
may be required.
Diving is regarded as a high-risk
manual handling work procedure. A
detailed manual handling risk
assessment must form part of the
diving operation plan. In particular the
dive plan should seek to minimise
lifting procedures and reduce any form
of body twisting.
Ensure cylinders are charged with a
minimum of 200 Bar before entering
the water
Ensure the cylinder valve is open
Brief divers on personal requirement to
monitor air
Supervisor to monitor air prior to entry
into the water
Emergency out of air procedures to be
established
All divers perform a buddy check prior
to entering the water
Only divers with specific training in noclear surface environments are to
enter wrecks in the first instance
All divers to be briefed on procedures
to enter wrecks.

than 6 months, and the date of last inspection

clearly marked on the outside of the box and
noted on the Dive Operations log. HSE DWR
1997 Regulation 6(3)(b)

All boat skippers will have the certificate of

competence required by the Bahamas to
operate.
Methods of diver deployment/retrieval must be
agreed prior to the diving operation taking place
and must be assessed for risk. Location and
operational status of all vessel suction and
discharge points must be established.
Procedures in the case of the vessel having to
use main or secondary propulsion units must be
established.
Vessels are to remain in neutral at all times when
divers are entering or exiting the water.

Supervisor may consider that additional standby

diver should be made ready on the surface.

GOULDEN CAY
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Site:

Area mile south of Goulden Cay to Southwest of New

Providence, Bahamas

Coordinates:

N 25.00921, W 007.34.186

Location of nearest point on shore:

Stuart Coves, Lyford Cay, New Providence (see map in

Site Description section)

Telephone Number at Stuart Coves:

001 242 362 4171

Action in Emergency

Administer first aid in accordance with Emergency flow

chart included within this project plan.

Nearest A&E:

The Lyford Cay Hospital

Nassau, Bahamas.

Telephone:

001 242 362 4025 (24 Hours)

Nearest Chamber:

Lyford Cay Hospital

The Bahamas Hyperbaric Centre

st

Onsite 1 Aid & O2:

Located on boats with additional oxygen on shore

ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY INFORMATION

GENERAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In the event of an emergency, the following contacts may be used for advice. All divers
must be accounted for and all diving operations ceased until the emergency situation is
bought to a satisfactory conclusion, ie no further risk is apparent.
AT SEA:
VHF Channel 16 when at sea
ON LAND:
Recompression Chamber:

Lyford Cay Hyperbaric Chamber

Lyford Cay
Nassau
Bahamas

In the event of an emergency:

Get Oxygen and First Aid Kit

Try to ascertain the problem
Follow the emergency first aid flow chart:
Locate the Divers buddy
If a diver is missing, make sure that he has not exited the water
Consider asking for additional assistance to conduct a search

You could be asked to provide any of the following information by the Emergency
Services:

What is your exact location

The telephone number you are calling from
What is the nature of the distress
Whether a diver is overdue, if so for how long?
Any special conditions (diving on wreck for example)
Can you mark the divers last known position?
Is the diver conscious or unconscious?
What symptoms the dive(s) is/are showing and when did they first appear?
The type of dive
Are your other divers ok?
What is the dive profile for the distressed diver(s)?
Describe your vessel
What is the dive depth of water and current weather as appropriate?

Steps for Prehospital care for any diving injury are as follows:
While waiting for the Emergency Medical Services administer basic life support as
required

Immediately deliver 100% oxygen (or any Enriched Air Oxygen Mix higher than
21% if oxygen has run out) by demand valve to a breathing patient. For a patient is
not breathing, or breathing inadequately use a bag and valve mask or pocket mask
with oxygen enriched AV.

Most ambulances carry ENTONOX as well as Oxygen. Advise the paramedics that
if IT IS A DIVING INJURY, DO NOT ADMINISTER ENTONOX (They should know
this anyway)

Keep patient warm and dry. Remove his wet suit if possible. Do not use space
blankets if patient is hypothermic, but wool style blanket. Make sure blanket is
placed under the patient as well as over him.

Establish calm and reassuring dialogue with conscious patient

Gather information. Try to establish what happened, where the divers buddy is,
talk to witnesses. Keep divers records and profile with the diver

Monitor/treat for shock by maintaining his body temperature. Elevate legs if

bleeding is suspected, unless head, neck, back or leg injuries are suspected. Do
not give food or drink to the patient

Perform a field neurological evaluation every 15 minutes, and record vital signs

Unless shock is suspected, consider giving the patient fluids, ie water. DO NOT
GIVE ALCOHOL

In general, assume that any diving injury is a worst-case scenario of arterial gas
embolism, requiring hyperbaric treatment as soon as possible
Remember:

Get someone to take notes whilst the incident is occurring

Record any symptoms/action taken to the patient until the paramedics arrive
Ensure that these details and the patients computer are pinned to him/sent with him
when he is sent to hospital/chamber
Check patients buddy, and ensure they are ok
Secure the divers equipment for police inspection. DO NOT disassemble

Crowd Control:

Ensure that all bystanders and personnel not involved in the rescue are kept out of
the way, where they cannot interfere with communication, damage equipment or
destroy evidence.
Remember that even EMS personnel not trained in diving injuries can hamper a
rescue.
A positive way to remove uncooperative people from the area quickly is to ask for
identification. Remember to be firm, but kind. They may be the victims family or
friends

Lost Diver:

If a diver is suspected overdue, make sure that someone checks that he has not
already exited the water or left the dive site
Try to establish his last location
If he is trapped underwater, then ensure that he has, or can be supplied with
enough air for the duration

Additional Information to be noted

Exact Location:
Telephone Number you are calling
from:
Note Contents of Cylinder if
available.
(Then switch off and note number of
turns)
Secure Computer and note
maximum depth and time details
Secure Daily Dive logs if available
Take down names and addresses of
witnesses
Any Pollution?:
Water and Air Temperature?:
Access and Egress?:
Breathing Gas:
In-Water/Surface Coms:
U/W Obstructions:
Any other relevant information

DIVING SUPERVISORS APPOINTMENT LETTER ONE PER PERSON

Dear
APPOINTMENT OF DIVING SUPERVISOR - <name>
In accordance with my duties as Diving Contractor under Regulation 6 (2) (b) of the Health and Safety Diving
at Work Regulations 1997, I hereby appoint you as a named Diving Supervisor for diving operations where
the Natural Environment Research Council is the contracting body. Your appointment lasts from 14 August
2007 to 25 August 2007.
Following guidance obtained from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) it is permissible for me as Diving
Contractor, under the HSE Media Approved Code of Practice interpretation of Regulation 5, to instruct
suitable competent persons to perform the duties of a diving supervisor for each diving operation. To this
end, your appointment as Diving Supervisor for every diving operation you are supervising must be verified
by entering your details onto the Diving Operation Record sheet.
Before a diving operation that you are supervising commences, it is your duty as a named Diving Supervisor:
- to be familiar with the overall Diving Project Plan under which the Diving Operation is to be undertaken;
- to have read, agreed with and have a copy of all the relevant risk assessments;
- to have checked the competencies and qualifications of the diving team; and
- to have checked the equipment and associated plant for the diving operation.
You must indicate on the Diving Operation Record sheet that the above checks have been undertaken by
you prior to every diving operation taking place.
Thank you for agreeing to take on this very important role on behalf of Triton Scuba Ltd.

Director
Triton Scuba Ltd
Diving Contractor

Diving Operation Dynamic Risk Assessment Form

SITE SPECIFIC RISKS
Location: 1/2 Mile dues south of Goulden Cay,
Bahamas

Site: Sand patch close to coral reef

Dates of Dives: 14 25 August 2007

Principal Supervisor/Assessor: David Jones

Maximum Depth: 14m

Project Code:

Tidal Conditions:
Limited tidal movement. Should not impact on
diving operations

Diver experience/qualifications:
Minimum level is CMAS 3*

Risk Assessment - LOW

Risk Assessment LOW

Surface traffic:
Limited adequate safety cover on surface will
prevent accidents

Underwater Hazards:
No natural hazards. Wreck may be hazardous once
sunk and this will need to be assessed at the time.

Risk Assessment - LOW

Risk Assessment LOW

Recompression Considerations:
Dive Site is within 40 minutes boat journey to
chamber. No decompression in excess of 10
minutes is planned

Access/Egress:
Hard Boat. Stride entry off the back and steps to climb
out

Risk Assessment - LOW

Risk Assessment - LOW

Air/Sea temperatures / Weather exposure:

Sea Temperature is 28 degrees. Suitable thermal
protection to be worn for longer duration dives.

Special Hazards:
None

Risk Assessment - LOW

Risk Assessment - LOW

Overall Associated Risk:

Overall Rating - LOW

Give an overall assessment of the Dive SITE (an average of the above rating scales where rated)
Emergency Considerations:
1. Diver Retrieval in emergency
2. Brief on-site procedures and transfer to shore
3. Explain contact details in an emergency and location of all information

Dynamic Site Specific Risk Assessment checked on behalf of Triton Scuba by:
D M Jones, Diving Supervisor, Triton Scuba Limited

7 August 2007

Diving Operation Dynamic Risk Assessment Form

TASK SPECIFIC RISKS
Dates of Dives: 14 25 August

Task Code:

Maximum Depth: 14m

Principal Supervisor/Assessor: David Jones

Task: There are 2 key tasks. The first involves sinking a boat. During this phase of the diving operation
cameramen will be in the water filming what happens. As well as 2 cameramen, an additional diver will be in
the water providing support diver cover for them. Distances from the wreck to be adhered to will be briefed
on site.
The second diving operation involves filming the wreck. On each occasion camera divers will be covered inwater by a support diver and a surface team.
Tidal Conditions: Negligible

Diver experience/qualifications:
Minimum qualification is CMAS 3* or equivalence

Risk Assessment - LOW

Risk Assessment - LOW

Diver protection / personal equipment

needs:
Full-face masks will be used to provide
through water communications with the
divers in the water. Each full-face mask will
be capable of providing an open circuit bale
out. Support divers may be on open or
closed circuit depending on the task.

Task Operation: There is a medium risk during the sinking of

the vessel of a diver being injured. Divers are to be carefully
controlled and specific positions are to be allocated in the
water. Support divers are not to have any other tasks other
than maintaining a watch over divers. Additional standby
divers may need to be allocated.
Risk during filming operations is assessed as LOW

Risk Assessment - LOW

Risk Assessment - Medium

Manual Handling:
Normal handling precautions apply
Risk Assessment LOW
Surface to diver communications:
Communications will be used.

Special Hazards: None

Risk Assessment - LOW

Risk Assessment - LOW

Overall Associated Risk:

Rating - LOW

PlanningConsiderations / Task Protocol:

The main concern is the sinking of the boat. This will require a full briefing on positioning, timings and
activities. One person is to be responsible for overall control of sinking. Divers are not to enter the water
until told to do so and communications must be established prior to the diver. Minimum team of one support
diver to two camera divers.
Dynamic Site Specific Risk Assessment checked on behalf of Triton Scuba by:
D M Jones, Diving Supervisor, Triton Scuba Limited

7 August 2007