Briefcase Managers Safety Paper Work & Links Organisers A Rough Guide Accommodation

Organising Trips

1. Decide on the Diving

  • Initial Ocean Diver Training : e.g. Pier / shallow open water : suitable for ocean diver trainees
  • Inshore water diving to 20m : e.g. Swanage Bay Trawler wreck / Middle Poole Patch : suitable for Ocean Divers and above.
  • Offshore water diving 20-35m : e.g. Betsy Anna / Kyarra / Castle Reagh : suitable for Sports Divers and above.

2. Find a Dive Manager

The Dive Manager is responsible for the safe planning and execution of the diving. You can get an up to date list of qualified managers from the Diving Officer

Tell the Diving Officer who the Dive Manager is. Ask the Dive Manager to review the plans for the weekend with the Diving Officer and any training plans with the Training Officer

3. Get a List Together

Put together a list of those interested in your weekend. Review with the Dive Manager for the appropriate mix of experience.

For safety's sake, six divers and one non diving cox is the maximum the Rib can take.

Decide upon a final list of those attending and collect deposits from them.

4. Book Accommodation

Book as soon as you can. Over the summer the best stuff goes very quickly. You will probably find somewhere last minute, but it will be low grade and expensive. You can find a list of recommendations in the accommodation section.

5. Dive Equipment Requirements For Open Water Dives

As a minimum, each diver will require:

Mandatory Equipment

  • Dive suit - a dry suit or semi-dry / wet suit suitable for the water temperature. In UK summer waters this might typically be a semi-dry suit of 5-7mm thickness with double coverage over the main part of your body.
  • Boots, gloves and a hood (gloves may be optional in warmer water; gloves and hoods are optional in tropical water conditions)
  • Mask, fins, snorkel
  • Cylinder – at least 12 litres for your initial open water dives, full to at least 200 bar.
  • Regulator – including a contents gauge and an Alternative Air Source (AAS)
  • Buoyancy compensator (BC)
  • Weight belt and weights – how much weight depends on your build, your kit and whether you are diving in the sea or inland. Ask for advice if you are unsure.
  • Dive computer, or watch, depth gauge and BSAC ’88 dive tables
  • Dive knife or net cutters
  • ‘Goody’ bag

Optional Equipment

  • Compass
  • Torch / spare batteries
  • SMB and reel
  • Ankle weights

Non-Diving Equipment

  • Hat, sunscreen
  • Cagoule / waterproofs
  • Tool kit, spares
  • Kit bag, dry bag
  • Water / soft drink (non fizzy)

Some of this equipment can be hired from the club (click here for equipment hire details)

6. Keep Dive Records

This is for safety (the records will accompany any possible casualty to receive medical care) and for the club records. Download the dive record sheet before your trip, and send a copy of the completed sheet to the Diving Officer when you return.

7. Dive Charges

With a large number of weekend trips planned this year it is essential that we collect all dive charges so that the club is not out of pocket. Use this handy expenses form to make sure you make them pay.

Happy and safe diving !

Richard Thrale, Diving Officer, April 2005