Diving emergencies
Persons conducting a diving or snorkelling business or undertaking must ensure that they are prepared for emergency situations. Written emergency plans should be developed, kept on site and workers should be trained in their application.
As a minimum the plans should cover the following situations:
- first aid, oxygen and automatic external defibrillators (AEDs)
- rescue
- evacuation
- missing persons
- non-agreed headcounts.
Other plans should be developed if required.
Examples of additional plans:
- A plan for emergency recompression might be developed for decompression stop diving at a high-risk diving work site
- A specific plan for jellyfish sting first aid might be developed where this risk exists.
Further advice on developing emergency plans can be obtained from:
Persons conducting diving and snorkelling should review their emergency plans regularly.
To assist in making sure workers are familiar with emergency plans, a system of training should be developed and implemented. The training should include:
- induction training for new employees on all emergency procedures
- ongoing training, such as periodic emergency drills held on a monthly rotational basis.
The nature of diving and snorkelling emergencies lends themselves to practical, as well as theoretical drills. Appropriate training records that include the date, the training undertaken, the trainer and trainee's names should be made.
All plans
- Plans should take into account the range of operational variables associated with a particular business. These may include:
- activity type
- worker numbers and competence
- equipment available
- environmental variables.
- Plans should give specific directions to follow whilst allowing flexibility to address operational variables.
- Plans should be developed through consultation with relevant workers, other associated businesses and emergency service providers.
- Plans and other procedural documents should detail specific duties, worker competencies, equipment required and procedures to be followed.
- Practical testing of plans will assist in determining whether plans are efficient and effective.
- Plans should include information on the frequency of testing of the emergency plans.
- Emergency plans should be reviewed periodically to ensure they continue to be effective and efficient. Internal and external consultation will assist in this process.
First aid plan
- Have a first aid kit available at the dive site. Check that it is stocked with necessary equipment to treat injuries that may occur and can cater for the number of divers present. The contents of the first aid kit may vary depending on the risks associated with the diving activity (e.g. where there is a risk from jellyfish, the first aid kit should include vinegar)
- Where a risk of sudden cardiac arrest exists with participants, the dive operator should ensure access to an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and trained operators are provided.
- Ensure that there are enough workers on the surface at the dive site who have current training in diving first aid, including emergency oxygen administration.
- Numerous diving and snorkelling related incidents give rise to providing treatment with oxygen. Workplaces should have a pulse oximeter on hand to assist in early diagnosis and early treatment of a condition where oxygen provision is beneficial to a casualty.
- The configuration of the workplace, including vessel and tenders, should ensure adequate first aid can be provided.
- Make available an oxygen system capable of providing a spontaneously breathing person with an inspired oxygen concentration of as near as possible to 100%.
- Check oxygen equipment and oxygen levels. The check should be carried out daily by a person trained to conduct the checks correctly.
- Provide sufficient oxygen to supply the injured person, taking into account the location of the dive site and access to medical facilities.
- A recompression chamber on site for some dive operations may be required (e.g. for some high risk diving work). If a recompression chamber is used, it should be operated by trained persons, properly equipped and maintained.
The First aid in the workplace Code of Practice 2021 (PDF, 0.48 MB) provides more information.
Rescue plan
- Procedures, equipment and personnel should be in place so an efficient and effective rescue can be undertaken to remove a person from danger and give first aid, including CPR and oxygen resuscitation if required. Remember, lack of oxygen for as little as three minutes can lead to permanent brain damage.
- An effective communication system should be available to the rescuers as well as with emergency services.
- Workers should have a level of fitness to safely undertake a rescue. Rescues should not be undertaken by one person unless they are physically able to undertake the rescue.
- Adequate equipment should be immediately available to assist rescuers (e.g. rescue tenders, stretchers, lifting equipment, flotation devices and throw ropes). Workers should be trained in the equipment's use.
- The plan should specify how the transfer of an injured person will occur, from water to vessel or land, vessel to vessel, or onboard vessel.
- The rescue procedures should not cause excessive delay in the provision of first aid.
Evacuation plan
- The evacuation plan should specify how communication is to be maintained with any emergency services.
- The plan should ensure the effective and timely transfer of an injured person from the activity site to emergency or other medical services, and the maintenance of first aid. Special consideration should be given to the handling of persons suffering decompression illness and barotrauma.
Consideration should be given to the safety of any persons, vessels and aircraft used in an evacuation.
Missing persons plan
- The plan should specify the triggers used to identify a missing person situation (Note: accurate information recorded on a dive safety log, which is monitored by a dive supervisor during diving, will assist in identifying missing diver situations).
Triggers may include:- non-attendance at a scheduled activity
- lost sight of person – lookout or customer raises concern
- customer has advised of missing person
- non-agreed headcount outcome
- unaccompanied possessions.
- The plan should list initial actions undertaken when a missing person situation is suspected and subsequent actions if it is confirmed.
- Prompt recall and headcount procedures may assist in clarifying the situation and will allow persons at the site to be questioned regarding any sightings of the missing person/s.
- The plan should include fixing a datum point for searches at the last known location of the missing person/s.
- The plan should include a timeframe for notifying the emergency services. This timeframe should reflect the isolation of the site, response times, and the time of day.
- A record should be made of all actions undertaken.
- Many missing person situations are associated with currents. The timely deployment of a clearly visible marker buoy, configured to drift with any current and deployed at the datum point, may assist with subsequent searches. A static marker buoy should also be used to mark the last known location of the missing person.
Further information is available about counting for divers and snorkellers and dive safety logs.
Non-agreed headcount
- The plan should specify the actions to be taken to ensure the headcount has been conducted accurately.
- Actions to be taken to initiate the commencement of the missing person plan.
Example plans
General
In the event of any type of accident or emergency:
- do not risk further injury to any other person under any circumstances
- contact emergency services as soon as possible for assistance
- do not panic, work as a team, communicate.
Duties
Vessel master
- ensure headcount was conducted accurately including
- reconfirm in water activities are completed
- passengers advised to remain stationary and be clearly visible (account for children sleeping)
- toilets and other areas rechecked
- vessel recounted using additional crew
- helicopter transfers considered
- return by another vessel considered
- consider an active headcount (each passenger checked against manifest).
Once it has been established that there is a person missing from the vessel, the vessel master should initiate the missing person emergency plan.
General
In the event of any type of accident or emergency:
- do not risk further injury to any other person under any circumstances
- contact emergency services as soon as possible for assistance
- do not panic, work as a team, communicate.
Duties
Dive/snorkel supervisor
- Dive/snorkel supervisor notified of missing person (e.g. advised from customer, lookout report, dive safety log, head count).
- Advise vessel master and lookout of missing person.
- Assess degree of urgency. Consider time overdue, remaining daylight, dive plan and objectives, possible decompression and air status.
- Recall other divers and/or snorkellers.
- Record:
- where and when last seen (ask dive/snorkel buddy)
- dive details
- what diver was doing, direction swimming
- any obvious problems
- maximum depth reached
- last known gas pressure and likely gas consumption rate
- diver's likely action in the event of a buddy separation
- where you surfaced relative to the position you last saw the other diver.
- Mark last location (GPS and shot line).
- Deploy current/drift marker.
- Organise as appropriate:
- other persons to assist lookout
- in water surface search using snorkel pairs
- underwater search using buddy pairs
- complete incident records
- assume appropriate duties of the vessel master when shore diving (see below).
Note: An underwater search should only be undertaken where there is both a reasonable chance of being able to rescue a diver and where there is no additional risk to the rescuing divers. Examples of unacceptable risks include insufficient gas supply, hypothermia, wreck penetration, solo diving, and exceeding decompression limits.
Lookout
- Continue searching surface for bubbles, along the shoreline, floats, signalling devices or divers.
- Use binoculars, polarised sunglasses and customers who have returned to assist searching.
- Observe current/drift marker and record bearing and speed of drift.
- Scan 360 degrees, including checking areas previously searched.
- Consider local current movement and possible changes.
- Once the diver is spotted, do not lose sight of them.
- Report to dive/snorkel supervisor.
Vessel master (or dive/snorkel supervisor if no vessel master)
- Immediately notify emergency services and local vessels for assistance once missing diver/snorkeller emergency established:
- VHF ch 16 Pan Pan
- 000 Rescue Coordination Service and Water Police (refer to emergency contacts list).
- Check that the missing person has not left the area or boarded nearby boats.
- Assist with, or undertake search, as directed.
- Maintain a running log of events and times in the ship's log.
- Liaise with dive/snorkelling supervisor.
- Advise emergency services and assisting vessels at conclusion.
General
In the event of any type of accident or emergency:
- do not risk further injury to any other person under any circumstances
- contact emergency services as soon as possible for assistance
- do not panic, work as a team, communicate.
Duties
Dive/snorkel supervisor
- Assist rescuer.
- Recall divers/snorkellers if required (e.g. evacuation required or no lookout available).
- Undertake headcount.
- Set up oxygen and get first aid kit.
- Assist egress and commence/assist first aid as necessary.
- Complete incident records.
- Assume appropriate duties of the vessel master when shore diving (see below).
Rescuer
Assess rescue options - safe, quick, effective.
- Tender:
- rescuer and one other crew in tender
- take radio and resuscitation mask
- proceed to person
- remove weight belt and scuba unit if necessary
- egress into dive tender - lift or roll technique, horizontal if possible
- assess and return-airway maintenance and commence CPR if required.
- Main vessel:
- assist master of vessel to do rescue from main vessel as from tender.
- Throw/swim:
- rescuer throws float line to assist in pulling person to main vessel, or
- rescuer enters water and assists person to main vessel
- rescuer assess injuries and advises vessel
- return to main vessel giving first aid if required
- maintain airway and provide rescue breaths as necessary, and
- rescuer and other persons lift person onto main vessel - horizontal if possible.
- Move to assessment and first aid position - use stretcher and team lifting techniques. (If practical, retrieve scuba unit for any investigations).
Lookout
- Advise dive/snorkel supervisor and others that a rescue is required.
- Attempt to determine if conscious or unconscious.
- Keep the person in sight at all times.
- If the boat has to manoeuvre, advise the master of any snorkellers/divers and warn them to keep clear of the boat.
- Look out for divers and snorkellers surfacing.
- Assist as directed.
- Commence running log.
- Reassure and direct other passengers.
Master of vessel
Main vessel used for rescue:
- attach a float to the mooring line to act as a datum and for others in the water, or deploy a shot line if anchored
- when approaching the person, remember the following:
- sound air horn to alert people to move clear of the boat and motors
- approach at a safe speed; be careful not to run into anyone
- approach from downwind if possible, so the boat is not blown over victim
- be careful boat is not blown or swept by current into a dangerous area, and
- place the motor into neutral when you are close to and are recovering the person (or any other divers/snorkellers).
- assist rescuer
- contact emergency services (refer to Emergency Contacts list)
- prepare vessel for evacuation/transfer.
General
In the event of any type of accident or emergency:
- do not risk further injury to any other person under any circumstances
- contact emergency services as soon as possible for assistance
- do not panic, work as a team, communicate.
Note: Most first aid training organisations and diver training organisations publish first aid plans and flow charts. These should follow the current resuscitation guidelines from the Australian Resuscitation Council. These plans should be adapted for use with diving and snorkelling first aid by including procedures for first aid the following matters. Advice for diving injuries can be obtained through the Divers Emergency Service hotline on 1800 088 200.
- Conscious persons suffering from diving injuries or illness should be kept horizontal wherever possible, including during rescue and evacuation. An appropriate stretcher may assist in this. Unconscious persons should be kept in the recovery position.
- Oxygen should be administered for all diving and snorkelling related injuries or illnesses using an appropriate delivery device.
- Cases of possible decompression illness should be referred to the nearest recompression chamber as soon as possible.
- Signs and symptoms of decompression illness may not be obvious and may appear some time after diving ceases. They may include:
- pain in joints and muscles
- unusual fatigue
- pins and needles (pricking and itching)
- numbness
- headache
- weakness or paralysis
- dizziness and nausea
- difficulty breathing, and
- unconsciousness.
- A neurological exam may be performed to assist in determining signs and symptoms of decompression illness.
- If hypothermia is suspected, avoid any further cooling by removing wet clothing (with the possible exception of wet suits) and insulating the diver with warm, wind-proof material(s). The head should be covered. Oral fluids should be warmed, but should only be given to fully conscious persons. A cold diver who has stopped shivering or who is unconscious represents a medical emergency and requires careful handling and urgent evacuation to the nearest appropriate treatment facility.
- The first aid kit and training should include responses for any local marine envenomation risks.
Dive/snorkelling supervisor
- Liaise with first aid provider.
- Ensure emergency services are notified if required. Seek general or specialised medical advice (refer to emergency contacts list).
- Prepare incident information (e.g. dive profile, symptoms) to accompany victim.
- Complete incident records and secure equipment.
First aid provider(s)
- Give first aid as required.
- Monitor and reassure person.
- Request assistance if required.
- Liaise with supervisor.
General
In the event of any type of accident or emergency:
- do not risk further injury to any other person under any circumstances
- contact emergency services as soon as possible for assistance
- do not panic, work as a team, communicate.
Duties
Dive/snorkel supervisor
- Liaise with vessel master.
- Lead transfer party.
- Recall all persons to the vessel or shore.
- Conduct a headcount and ensure no persons are left behind.
- Prepare incident information (e.g. dive profile, symptoms) to accompany victim.
- Complete incident records and secure equipment.
- Assume appropriate duties of the vessel master when shore diving.
First aid provider
- Give first aid as required.
- Monitor and reassure injured person.
- Prepare injured person for transfer without compromising first aid (e.g. secure to stretcher).
Master of vessel (or dive/snorkel supervisor if shore diving)
- Liaise with dive/snorkel supervisor.
- Contact emergency services:
- VHF Ch 16 Pan Pan
- 000 Rescue Coordination Service and Water Police, and
- refer to Emergency Contacts list.
- Contact Divers Emergency Services hotline for advice if required on 1800 088 200.
- Advise the following:
- your location
- number of casualties
- nature of injuries (e.g. life threatening, DCI, cuts)
- first aid currently being conducted (e.g. CPR, bleeding control)
- assistance required.
- Follow advice of emergency services. Maintain communications with both emergency medical services and any transfer party.
- Proceed to nearest rendezvous with ship or shore EMS.
- Prepare for helicopter transfer:
- manoeuvre as directed
- secure loose items
- drop aerials if possible
- do not attach winch cable from helicopter to any object
- allow the helicopter winch cable to earth before touching.
Further information is available about counting for divers and snorkellers and dive safety logs.