Dive plans

Dive plans set out the way diving will be carried out to ensure the participant's health and safety. The dive plan should assist with the implementation of control measures that have been selected during the risk management process.

A single dive plan may be prepared for several dives when the risks of the dives are similar. When the risks of the dive vary (e.g. when there are different tasks, equipment used or significant environmental change), then a new dive plan should be prepared.

General diving work

A dive plan must be prepared by the dive supervisor.

A dive plan must include:

• the method of carrying out the diving work
• the tasks and duties of each person involved
• the diving equipment, breathing gases and procedures to be used
• as applicable, dive times, bottom times and decompression profiles
• hazards relating to the dive and measures to be implemented to control the risks
• emergency procedures.

The diving work must be carried out in accordance with the dive plan, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Before the diving work commences, the dive supervisor must instruct workers about the dive plan. A copy of the plan must be readily accessible to any worker.

The dive plan must be kept and be available for inspection until the diving work is completed or for two years if a notifiable incident occurs.

View a sample dive plan (DOC, 0.12 MB).

High risk diving work

A dive plan in accordance with the relevant sections in AS/NZS 2299.1: 2015 Occupational diving operations – Standard operational practice must be prepared and kept.