Commercial diving/Standby Diver Procedures

Relevance: Scuba diving, Surface supplied diving, Surface oriented wet bell diving.

Required outcomes:

1. Discuss the role of the standby diver
2. Explain standby diver procedures

Role of the stand-by diver

The stand-by diver is available to assist the working diver if the diver is in difficulty or distress, but is not required to unduly endanger themself to do this. The standby diver must be competent to perform a rescue in the reasonably foreseeable incidents that are mentioned in the risk assessment. A diver should not accept standby duty for a dive if they do not understand and accept the probable circumstances of such a rescue. A diver is personally responsible for ensuring that they are fit to dive under the likely circumstances and are not hindered by health issues, particularly the ability to equalise effectively.

Duties of the surface stand-by diver

The stand by diver shall

1. General:
   1. Be available for immediate deployment in case of an in-water emergency
   2. Be qualified, competent, in date and fit to perform search and rescue procedures appropriate to the conditions expected during the diving operation.
   3. Be informed of and be fully aware of the dive plan and any changes to it made during the dive.
   4. Assist the Supervisor and surface support team when reasonably practicable without downgrading availability for in-water assistance.
2. Pre-dive:
   1. Prepare for diving operations as specified for divers.
   2. After pre-dive checks are completed some equipment may be removed and placed in readiness at the supervisor's discretion to avoid undue discomfort to the stand-by diver.
3. During the dive:
   1. Remain available at the control point at all times unless an alternative is appointed by the supervisor
   2. Remain in a state of readiness to perform appropriate assistance as may be directed by the supervisor.
4. Post dive
   1. Ensure that their equipment is clean and properly stored.