Dive Planning and Management

AIM

To teach divers the importance of Dive Planning and Management, and the correct procedures for doing so; and the need for a suitably qualified and experienced person to perform the function. Also, to give divers practical experience of dive management.

INSTRUCTORS

Chief Instructor to be BSAC Advanced Instructor. Other Instructors to be BSAC Instructors who are also Advanced Divers. One Instructor for every four students.

FACILITIES

Suitable classroom for theory lessons. Coastal or inland site for practical activities. Boat(s) for use as dive platform.

APPROVAL

Skill Development Course Approval Procedure applies.

SYLLABUS

Day 1

Instructor briefing

Assemble, Introductions, Administration (15 minutes)

1. Classroom Discussion: The Branch Dive (20 minutes)
Instructor introduces session where groups consider the question 'What makes a good / bad dive?'.
Instructor draws points from different groups to reach these conclusions:

• Good Dive = safe and enjoyable
• Bad dive = greater risk of accidents
• Good dives are well planned and managed

This sets the scene for the rest of the course.

2. Classroom Lesson Dive Planning (60 minutes)
(Covers both shore, small boat and large boat diving)

• Why, who, what, where, when, how
• Materials and references needed for dive planning

Break

3. Classroom Lesson Dive Management (60 minutes)
(Covers both shore, small boat and large boat diving)

• Before leaving home
• On arrival at site
• During the dive
• After the dive
• Within a few days

4. Classroom Lesson Site Selection for Dive Managers (60 minutes)

• Chartwork for site selection and dive planning
• Tidal prediction
• Site location: position fixing

5. Classroom Lesson Weather and Weather Forecasts for Dive Managers (30 minutes)

• Weather systems
• Weather maps
• Weather forecasts / forecasting

Lunch

6. Classroom Tutorial: Dive Planning Exercises (120 minutes)
Students work in tutor groups to plans a typical weekend Branch dive comprising two days of enjoyable and informative diving. Two different scenarios should be employed with about 45 minutes devoted to each. Scenario 1 covers a shore dive; Scenario 2 covers a small / large boat dive.
Information will be given on:

• Numbers and qualifications of divers
• Sites available, type of boats used
• Tidal and weather conditions

One of these Scenarios will be selected by the Course Leader for presented by a group spokesperson, to the rest of the course in the next session.

Break

7. Classroom Discussion: Dive Plans (45 minutes)

• Spokesperson from each group to present a dive plan
• Plans discussed by other groups and instructors, thus exposing all students to different ideas

8. Classroom Tutorial: Dive Planning (30 minutes)
In tutor groups, a dive plan is selected and finalised for action next day

• Appoint people to fulfill various duties
• Draw up outline timetable
• Prepare list of diving groups
• Draw up list of material requirements

9. Classroom Viewpoint: What would you do? (45 minutes)
Course Leader poses typical Dive Management situations for groups, with guidance from their Instructor, to resolve within 3 to 4 minutes. Group spokesperson reports their findings to all.

Debriefing for the day.

Day 2

10. Practical Dive Management Exercises (6 hours)

• May be 'Branch specific' in the choice of site / platform
• May cover shore dives, small or large boat diving *
• May be split 3 hours shore diving, 3 hours boat diving
• Skills to be demonstrated first by Instructor, then copied by students
• Diving provides opportunities to demonstrate good diving and dive leadership
• All students to dive twice with different buddies
• All students to be involved for some of the time in Managing
• Lunch to be taken during surface intervals

* Note - Additional Instructors may be required for boat dives.

11. Classroom Dive Management Exercises debrief (30 minutes)
In tutor groups:

• Discuss highlights, problems and how problems were resolved
• Review lessons learned
• Prepare a short presentation on the day's activities for next session

12. Classroom Dive Management Exercise Reports (30 minutes)

• Group spokesperson presents report on group dives to all
• Discussion and comments from other students and Instructors

13. Classroom Open Forum (30 minutes)

• Course debriefing
• Issue Student Notes and Course Certification
• Disperse

Instructor debriefing

NOTES

1. The order in which the syllabus is listed represents the recommended sequence for the course. Classroom lessons may be spread over a series of (evening class) lessons if desired, followed by a day at the coast / afloat for the practical experience.

2. It should be emphasised that successful Dive Management starts with proper planning. 'Plan the Dive: Dive the Plan' applies equally to Branch Dive Management as it does to the plans of a buddy pair. The Dive Management Course should reflect this view and the BSAC publication Safe Diving Practices should be seen to be used (a copy of it is supplied in each Student Notes pack).

3. Dive Planning Exercises: it is suggested that the Course Leader prepares written briefs for a variety of dives, which students have to plan. Their plans can then be compared to this brief (or to models prepared by Instructors) during Section 7 - Dive Plans Discussion.

4. Viewpoint situations must be relevant to Dive Management.

5. All diving activities are to be correctly managed in accordance with BSAC recommended practices.

6. Recommended reading: the BSAC Sport Diving and Advanced Sport Diving manuals.