Safety divers for deep dives

Pelagian · 10th February 2006, 18:28

Hey All

We run saftey cover for Freedive world records that are set up here every april/may.

The team is usually comprised of 2 groups: Divetech's Saftey Team/local divers and up to 4 divers that we regularly work with coming down from Canada.

The teams will be working with the Athletes for a 2/3 week training period. As the depths are increases so are the number of saftey divers.

Finally there's one week of record attempts. The Format for the safety cover is generally the same with some minor varaitions based on the discipline being attempted. CCR safety cover starts at 30m/100ft and there are a pair of divers(1 video/1 safety) in intervals set to keep continuous visual contact of the athlete.

The video divers help to complete a continuous visual record for the judging.

The safety divers function under a triple procedure system:-

1) Lift Bagging the athlete/training line
2) Counter balance system from boat(divers simply providing signalling)
3) Direct bailout on to SCUBA for athlete(worst case scenario, avoided at all costs except the anyones life)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have one regulat tech dive that we provide automatic safety cover for. This is a 260ft/79m wrech dive on the Carrie lee.

The safety diver(s) will meet the team at 130ft bringing spare sidemounts to bridge the gap between 130ft/40m and the Oxygen drop tank at 20ft/6m.

Generally the divers will stay with the team until they reach there 20ft stops, and then leave them to assist with equipment on the surface.

For the rest our tech dives we run topside coverage using bags for signalling drop gas etc.

Cheers

Seb

AndyMumford · 10th February 2006, 19:13

I/we generally base the need for a safety diver(s) on duration of the dive and not so much on the depth.

When the run time gets up to the 3 hour mark a safety diver(s) would be required.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 11th February 2006, 07:41

I am not up to this yet in Rebreather. However, we have used safety divers for deeper open circuit dives in the ocean.

We pay extra for these dives so that we can get a responsible crew member to come check on us, bringing contingency gas and taking spent equipment at a given interval on the dive.

Drmike · 12th February 2006, 08:27

Hmm, a safety diver - that would be nice!

sven · 12th February 2006, 12:16

For the Sydney Project (http://www.sydneyproject.com) we have our own procedures for what we call support divers. The guys usually are on single tank OC. That obviously limits their depth and runtime to NDL. A dive supervisor (with copies of everyone's dive plan) sends the support team into the water at certain pre-arranged times in order to
- check on the returning team: team complete, gear OK, any problems?, any needs?
- take used tanks and other gear
- run messages
- supply gas, food, drink where necessary
- provide entertainment (I'm serious here)
In case of trouble, the expedition diver sends up a slate to alert the surface crew. We use our own deco station for maximum comfort and safety, and can deploy extra shotlines and gas for divers who got separated from the group.

Check out this story at http://www.sydneyproject.com/stories/story.asp?sid=23&pp=1
which gives a good example why we operate like this. During a recent 120m dive to survey a new wreck (SS Wear, to be confirmed) the ocean turned from millpond to 3.5m waves! The three of us on board had a tough job getting everyone back into the boat in one piece and without losing any gear. Could not have been done without support divers and a surface support crew!

Our procedures are available on the Internet under
http://www.sydneyproject.com/pdfs/Sy..._Procedure.pdf

Definitely one of the least glamorous jobs, but one of the most important ones for the guys in the water!!

Trust this helps. Any questions welcome.

10th February 2006, 18:28	#11 (permalink)
Pelagian Multi-Circuit Meg Monkey! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Sport Kiss Optima Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 275	Re: Safety divers for deep dives Hey All We run saftey cover for Freedive world records that are set up here every april/may. The team is usually comprised of 2 groups: Divetech's Saftey Team/local divers and up to 4 divers that we regularly work with coming down from Canada. The teams will be working with the Athletes for a 2/3 week training period. As the depths are increases so are the number of saftey divers. Finally there's one week of record attempts. The Format for the safety cover is generally the same with some minor varaitions based on the discipline being attempted. CCR safety cover starts at 30m/100ft and there are a pair of divers(1 video/1 safety) in intervals set to keep continuous visual contact of the athlete. The video divers help to complete a continuous visual record for the judging. The safety divers function under a triple procedure system:- 1) Lift Bagging the athlete/training line 2) Counter balance system from boat(divers simply providing signalling) 3) Direct bailout on to SCUBA for athlete(worst case scenario, avoided at all costs except the anyones life) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We have one regulat tech dive that we provide automatic safety cover for. This is a 260ft/79m wrech dive on the Carrie lee. The safety diver(s) will meet the team at 130ft bringing spare sidemounts to bridge the gap between 130ft/40m and the Oxygen drop tank at 20ft/6m. Generally the divers will stay with the team until they reach there 20ft stops, and then leave them to assist with equipment on the surface. For the rest our tech dives we run topside coverage using bags for signalling drop gas etc. Cheers Seb __________________ 'Because... I was Inverted!'
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10th February 2006, 19:13	#12 (permalink)
AndyMumford New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 81	Re: Safety divers for deep dives I/we generally base the need for a safety diver(s) on duration of the dive and not so much on the depth. When the run time gets up to the 3 hour mark a safety diver(s) would be required. __________________ Cheers Andy Mumford TDI Megalodon Instructor www.megalodon-uk.com www.deepdiving.co.uk
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11th February 2006, 07:41	#13 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,075	Re: Safety divers for deep dives I am not up to this yet in Rebreather. However, we have used safety divers for deeper open circuit dives in the ocean. We pay extra for these dives so that we can get a responsible crew member to come check on us, bringing contingency gas and taking spent equipment at a given interval on the dive. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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12th February 2006, 08:27	#14 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,165	Re: Safety divers for deep dives Hmm, a safety diver - that would be nice! __________________ Cave diving is a sport Wreck diving is a sport Diving in general is a sport 'Rebreather diving' is not a sport its the delusional obsession with a highly dangerous and often inappropriate piece of equipment
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12th February 2006, 12:16	#15 (permalink)
sven Blogs Admin / Forum Mod Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 574	Re: Safety divers for deep dives For the Sydney Project (http://www.sydneyproject.com) we have our own procedures for what we call support divers. The guys usually are on single tank OC. That obviously limits their depth and runtime to NDL. A dive supervisor (with copies of everyone's dive plan) sends the support team into the water at certain pre-arranged times in order to - check on the returning team: team complete, gear OK, any problems?, any needs? - take used tanks and other gear - run messages - supply gas, food, drink where necessary - provide entertainment (I'm serious here) In case of trouble, the expedition diver sends up a slate to alert the surface crew. We use our own deco station for maximum comfort and safety, and can deploy extra shotlines and gas for divers who got separated from the group. Check out this story at http://www.sydneyproject.com/stories/story.asp?sid=23&pp=1 which gives a good example why we operate like this. During a recent 120m dive to survey a new wreck (SS Wear, to be confirmed) the ocean turned from millpond to 3.5m waves! The three of us on board had a tough job getting everyone back into the boat in one piece and without losing any gear. Could not have been done without support divers and a surface support crew! Our procedures are available on the Internet under http://www.sydneyproject.com/pdfs/Sy..._Procedure.pdf Definitely one of the least glamorous jobs, but one of the most important ones for the guys in the water!! Trust this helps. Any questions welcome. __________________ Regards, Sven [SIZE=1]The Sydney Project website: [URL]http://www.sydneyproject.com[/URL] My Blog: [URL]http://sven.rebreatherworld.com[/URL] "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect." Mark Twain[/SIZE]
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