Ascension Island Dive Briefing

Ascension Island – Generic Dive Briefing

Fit to Dive?

� Is everyone fit and happy to dive? � Kit serviceable?

Dive Aim � � Safe, enjoyable & fundive

The Dive Site: � Name of site � General description � Location, GPS co-ords, transits � Expected depth � Bottom characteristics � Maximum depth in area � Distance ( nm ) / timeto site

� Alternativesite

Particular Risks: � Marinelife – urchins , morayeels , stonefish � Lava abrasions, sharp edges, cuts �Surge �Narcosis � Lines/nets � Decompression Increased air consumption � Driftingoff site � Exceeding max depth/MOD � Poor or limited visibility - separation � Night – buddy separation, torch failure

Tides LW …………………….. HW…………………….. LW …………………….. HW…………………….. Range …………………….. Influence on loading/unloading, slack or expected drift on site

Weather: General Situation……….. Pressure……….mB Wind………… Surface visibility…………Sea state…..… Swell…………Air Temp...... Sea temp………Barometric Pressure...…….Outlook......

Diver Pairs/Waves:

RJCP 1 AL2 – Apr 13 Boat One:

Pair Dive Leader (grade) Buddy (grade) 1 ……………………… ……… …………………… ………. 2 ……………………… ……… …………………… ………. 3 ……………………… ……… …………………… ………. 4 ……………………… ……… …………………… ……….

Boat Two:

Pair Dive Leader (grade) Buddy (grade) 1 ……………………… ……… …………………… ………. 2 ……………………… ……… …………………… ………. 3 ……………………… ……… …………………… ………. 4 ……………………… ……… …………………… ……….

Tasks:

� SADS / Deputy SADS………………Depth ‘pinger’, SADS slates incl DSMB markings � Handheld GPS � Transits & Site GPS posits

� Coxes:

Ferry RIB: Loading…………………Unloading……………………….. Boat One: Out………………………Back…………………………….. Boat Two: Out………………………Back……………………………..

Coxes to ensure that boat is fully prepared and ready for sea:

� Kill cords � Tubes inflated � Fuel – 2 x 5 - gallonfuel bagsper boat ( 3 x 5 - gallonfuel bagsper boat for BoatswainBird Island ) � Anchor � A Flag � VHF radio �Sat Phone �EPIRBs

RJCP 2 AL2 – Apr 13 � O2 Admin:

...... Check O2 is ready with full cylinder & loaded, RescuEAN kits loaded

Boat One………………………………Boat Two……………………………

� First Aid & Emergency Drinking Water:

...... ………… Check kit & load including emergency drinking water

First Aiders…….………………………………………………………………

� Shot Line Prep:

...... Prepare (Simple/Top Tension plus lift bag, Depth……..m & load, for Boat One

� Deco Rig Prep:

...... Prepare & load for Boat One

� Booking Out/In with Ascension Ops - ETD/ETA, number of divers, site………......

Navigation:

� Show on chart – bearings, distances and other navigation information

The Dive Plan �Max depth:…………………m Surface-to-Surface time:……………mins (run plan on computers) �MOD – 30m �Not within ……mins of deco �Off bottom………………….BAR or …………….minutes, whichever first �Safety stop: 3 mins @ 6mins �Computer fail plan: 3 mins @ 6mins

RJCP 3 AL2 – Apr 13 Dive Conduct

Load/Departure:

� Final kit prep & check – check gas mix, pressure & turn cylinder off. Masking tape over valves of full cylinders. Mark with O2% mix/name.

� Personal kit: Dive computer – O2% set. DSMB & reel, compass, EPIRBs; location aids; sun cream; hats; water; sea sickness tablets (night - torch, cylumes on DSMB & BCD)

� Dry runs?

� Load flatbed – Boat One, place kit on LHS – Boat 2 on RHS

At Guano Jetty:

� Unload kit – Boat One keep kit together at bottom of jetty, closest to ferry boat loading point. Boat 2’s kit placed together – clear & separated from Boat One’s

� ASAP, ferry boat cox – swim (kill cord?) to RIB from end of jetty, start & drive ferry boat to jetty; hold in V cut-out

� One person always to look out to sea & monitor swells during boat loading

� Teamwork to load carefully ferry boat – keep buddy pair’s kit together. Kit loaded – all on-board. Drive to dive boat

� Load kit in pairs and waves; net bags loaded for Wave 1-2-3 access in order (Wave 1 – front of boat; Wave 2-middle, Wave 3-stern)

Transit:

� DLs conduct SEEDS brief

Site Location/Shot Deployment:

� GPS & transits � Depth ‘pinger’

RJCP 4 AL2 – Apr 13 � Mask on, eng in neutral, look over side! � Shot deployment – get ready; drop off side or loop over stern & trail � Deco rig?

Kit-Up & Entry:

� Call Ascension Radio VHF 16 or check Sat Phone comms � BAR checks (incl DSMB markings to SADS) � Cox – brief entry instructions, ‘running in-shot on left/right-divers on air- in neutral-3-2-1-go’ (If you miss the go, stay on board) � OK signal to each other, DL to boat, down together � Bottom - check buoyancy, kit check � Deploy DSMB � Next pairs – ASAP in order to leave SADS plus one Rescue-qualified diver on each boat at all times � Last pair – inflate lift bag, just negatively buoyant

Exercise/Dive Tasks:

Ascent:

� Regain shot / surface on DSMB � 3 min safety stop

Surfacing Drills:

� Make buoyant, mask on, regulator in � OK signal to boat � Wait for pick up, pay attention � Cox signals, approach in neutral, ‘clear in’

� ASAP, de-kit & stow � Air, max depth, time, safety stops

Recovery/RTB:

RJCP 5 AL2 – Apr 13 � If one boat to recover first, transfer empty cylinders for RTB, & transfer last wave’s kit bags across to boat remaining on site.

Unloading:

� Unload dive RIB (cylinders only?) into ferry RIB, & moor dive RIB � Re-charge cylinders ASAP

Post-Dive Tasks:

� Cylinders: � Boat re-fuel: � Transfer slates & clean � Book In

Emergencies:

� Diver recall:

� Pulls on SMB � Metal-on-metal � SinkersdownDSMB � Boat reving ’

If recalled, signal using buoy that you are ascending carry out stops

� Coastguard: Ascension Radio Channel 16 � Ascension Ops: Sat phone +247 3333 Emergency. Ext 3315 routine � Ascension Fire & Coastguard +247 6333 � DDMO: +44 (0)7827 821980 � Hospital: +247 6000 � DSO(AT) : +44 7795 012561 � Nearest Landing:

Recover casualty, Assess-Plan-Act-Delegate, BLS/First Aid as reqd (DCI = O2, lie down, legs flat, administer fluids), recall other divers ASAP, Call Ascension Ops &/or Ascension Radio VHF 16 (MayDayx3/PANx3), Incident log, Call DDMO, CASEVAC to Guano Jetty or Georgetown Jetty or as directed, isolate diver’s & computer, prepare for transfer. Do not let medics administer Entonox

Estimated times:

RJCP 6 AL2 – Apr 13 � Exped Centre time of departure: � Loading: � Guano Jetty time of departure: � ETA site: ………………………….. ETA back: …………………………

RJCP 7 AL2 – Apr 13 De-brief:

� Bookedbackin? � Time & location ...... � All OK & enjoyed the dive? � Any problems, no ill affects? � Was dive to plan? � Transferslate dive time, depth, stops

RJCP 8 AL2 – Apr 13