Diving Safety Manual University of Hawai’i System Approved by The University of Hawai’i Diving Control Board University of Hawai’i April 1, 2016 Acknowledgements and Forward This manual was revised from the 2008 University of Hawaii Diving Safety Manual, to include revisions and improvements embodied in the current AAUS Guidelines for Conduct of Scientific Diving Programs and Certification of Scientific Divers, and to extend the local standard of practice as per the needs of the University of Hawaii. The manual is also available online, at: http://www.hawaii.edu/ehso/diving-safety/ . Intermediary revisions and the most recent versions of forms found in the Appendices may be found there. This document was authored and edited by the University of Hawaii Diving Control Board, as listed in Appendix 11. REVISIONS 2015-08 (Effective 1/1/2016) Updated: Appendix 11, Diving Control Board Revised: Dive Computer Guidelines (Sec. 2.2.6) Sec. 2.2.8.3 Depth Limits Sec. 4.3.3 Progression to Greater Depth Levels Sec. 4.3.4 Authorization to 60fsw Added: Appendix 16, Guidelines for Non-Exempt Diving in Support of Science REVISIONS, 2016-04 Revised: Chapter 14, Rebreather Diving Sec. 14.4 Rebreather Equipment Requirements Sec. 14/5 Rebreather Operational Requirements Updated: Appendix 11, Diving Control Board (1/11/2016) Corrected: New web site links in Appendices (1.11.2016) 2 (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK) 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1. GENERAL POLICY ........................................................ 12 1.1 Purpose ..................................................................................... 12 1.1.1 The Scientific Diving Standards .......................................... 12 1.1.2 OSHA Scientific Diving Definition ........................................ 12 1.1.3 OSHA Scientific Diving Exemption ...................................... 12 1.1.4 Liability................................................................................ 13 1.1.5 Compliance with AAUS ....................................................... 13 1.2 Administrative Organization ....................................................... 14 1.2.1 The Diving Safety Officer (DSO): ........................................ 14 1.2.2 The Diving Control Board (DCB): ........................................ 14 1.2.3 Diving Medical Advisory Panel Chairperson (DMAP Chair). 16 1.2.4 Diving Medical Advisory Panel (DMAP) .............................. 16 1.2.5 Unit Diving Coordinator ....................................................... 16 1.3 Program Responsibility.............................................................. 17 1.3.1 Ultimate Authority ............................................................... 17 1.3.2 Policy .................................................................................. 17 1.3.3 Policy Administration .......................................................... 17 1.4 Operational Control ................................................................... 18 1.4.1 University Auspices Defined ............................................... 18 1.4.2 Diving Privileges ................................................................. 18 1.4.3 Authorization Types ............................................................ 19 1.4.4 Equipment .......................................................................... 20 1.4.5 Records .............................................................................. 20 1.4.6 Sites ................................................................................... 20 1.4.7 Visiting Scientific Divers and Reciprocity ............................ 20 1.5 Diving Personnel ....................................................................... 22 1.5.1 Instructional Personnel ....................................................... 22 1.5.2 Lead Diver (Diving Supervisor, Person-in-charge) .............. 22 1.5.3 Authorized Diver ................................................................. 23 1.6 Departmental Control ................................................................ 23 1.7 Medical Examination ................................................................. 23 1.8 Consequences of Violation of Regulations ................................ 24 1.8.1 Violation Review and Disciplinary Process.......................... 24 4 CHAPTER 2. DIVING REGULATIONS .................................................. 27 2.1 General Policy ........................................................................... 27 2.2 Diving Procedures ..................................................................... 27 2.2.1 Solo Diving Prohibition ........................................................ 27 2.2.2 Enclosed or Confined Spaces ............................................. 27 2.2.3 Diver's Flag ......................................................................... 27 2.2.4 Flotation Devices ................................................................ 27 2.2.5 Timing Devices, Depth and Pressure Gauges, Diving Tables .................................................................................................... 28 2.2.6 Dive Computers .................................................................. 28 2.2.7 Decompression Software .................................................... 29 2.2.8 Depth Limits ........................................................................ 30 2.2.9 Termination of Dive ............................................................. 30 2.2.10 Refusal to Dive ................................................................. 30 2.2.11 Dive Plans ........................................................................ 31 2.2.12 Pre-Dive Safety Checks .................................................... 31 2.2.13 Post-Dive Safety Checks .................................................. 32 2.2.14 Emergency Deviation from Regulations ............................ 33 2.2.15 Flying After Diving ............................................................. 33 2.2.16 Altitude Exposure During Surface Travel after Diving ....... 33 2.3 Record Keeping Requirements .................................................. 33 2.3.1 Personal Dive Log .............................................................. 33 2.3.2 Required Incident Reporting ............................................... 34 2.3.3 Record Maintenance ........................................................... 35 CHAPTER 3. DIVER-IN-TRAINING PERMIT .......................................... 36 3.1 Eligibility .................................................................................... 36 3.2 Pre-Training .............................................................................. 36 3.2.1 Application. ......................................................................... 36 3.2.2 Medical Examination ........................................................... 36 3.2.3 Swimming Test ................................................................... 36 3.3 SCUBA Training ........................................................................ 37 3.3.1 Practical Training Evaluations ............................................. 37 3.3.2 Written Examination ............................................................ 37 3.3.3 Open Water Evaluation ....................................................... 38 3.3.4 Alternative DIT Qualification of Certified Diver by Challenge Evaluation .................................................................................... 39 5 CHAPTER 4. SCIENTIFIC DIVER AUTHORIZATION ................................ 40 4.1 Prerequisites ............................................................................. 40 4.1.1 Eligibility .............................................................................. 40 4.1.2 Application .......................................................................... 40 4.1.3 Medical Examination ........................................................... 40 4.1.4 Qualification ........................................................................ 40 4.2 Requirements For Scientific Diver Authorization ........................ 40 4.2.1 Documentation.................................................................... 41 4.2.2 Training ............................................................................... 41 4.2.3 Waiver of Requirements ..................................................... 45 4.2.4 Alternative Qualification by Challenge Evaluations ............. 45 4.3 Depth Authorization ................................................................... 45 4.3.1 Diver In Training (DIT) ........................................................ 46 4.3.2 Authorization to 40fsw Depth .............................................. 46 4.3.3 Progression to Greater Depth Levels .................................. 46 4.3.4 Authorization to 60fsw......................................................... 46 4.3.5 Authorization to 100 Feet and 130 Feet .............................. 46 4.3.6 Authorization to Depths Beyond 130 Feet ........................... 47 4.3.7 Authorizations to Depths Beyond 190 fsw. .......................... 47 4.4 Continuation of Authorization .................................................... 47 4.4.1 Term of Authorization.......................................................... 47 4.4.2 Minimum Activity to Maintain Authorization ......................... 47 4.4.3 Medical Examination ........................................................... 47 4.5 Restricted Scientific Diver Authorization