The Diving Club - Reading > Diving

Guidelines for Club Dives

1. Responsibilities of the Diver

Divers are responsible for ensuring that they have the appropriate qualification and experience to undertake a particular dive and that their diving experience is current, i.e. that period since their last dive is no greater than that recommended by their qualifying agency. Evidence of qualification may be asked for.
Within these guidelines, the term qualification refers to the combination of the Qualifying agency and Qualification level being used for the specific dive, i.e. PADI Advanced Open Water or TDI Decompression Procedures. The Qualification being utilised for a particular dive can vary from dive to dive, for example a TDI Decompression Procedures certified Diver may configure their kit in accordance with PADI Advanced Open Water Guidelines for a 28m No Decompression Dive.
It is the diver’s responsibility to check with the Dive Marshal the day before to ensure that there are no adverse weather conditions which may prevent the dive from going ahead. The Dive Organiser will not contact divers unless there has been a change to previously given advice.
The supply of equipment appropriate for the planned dive is to be in accordance with the qualification being used for the dive and is the responsibility of the diver. Any diver who does not have the appropriate kit may, in the interests of safety of the whole group, be refused entry into the water.
For Club dives, each diver must carry a DSMB and reel and be proficient in its use.
Divers are responsible for planning their individual dives within the limits of their qualifications and those set by the appointed Dive Marshal.
Divers are to ensure that their Dive is planned in accordance with the qualification by which they are executing the dive
In the event of a conflict between the equipment requirements of the Club and those of the qualification, those of the qualification shall take precedence with the exception of DSMBs which are mandatory for all Club level dives.
Divers are required to complete the Marshalling Sheet before entry into the water.
Divers must surface no later than 3 minutes after their declared run time (run time being defined as the total time from when the diver leaves the surface to when they are back on the surface) stated on the Marshalling sheet. NB There is a coastguard requirement to notify them if a diver is more than 3 minutes overdue.
The diver shall respond to their name being called at any roll call. They should not respond on behalf of another diver.
The decision of the Dive Marshal/skipper is final.

2. Booking and Payment

Dives booked by the club will be published on a schedule which will be available on the club website, the notice boards, and from Committee members on request. It may also be possible to obtain a copy from DiveStyle.
Bookings for dives will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
When you register your interest in attending a dive with the appropriate DIVE ORGANISER whether by phone, e-mail or face-to-face, a deposit is must be paid within 2 weeks, either by post, online via the club website, or to a Committee member on a club night.
Any diver who does not pay a deposit within two weeks of booking will forfeit their place unless they have notified the dive organiser of the reason for the delay.
Once a deposit is paid, the diver is obliged to pay the remaining balance by the due date. If the diver is subsequently unable to dive for any reason, they will only be released from their obligation if another diver fills the place.
The balance of the dive and any accommodation cost is payable one month before the date of the dive. Any balance not paid by that date will result in the diver forfeiting their place on the dive unless agreement has been reached with the Dive Organiser
When all the spaces available on a dive are full, a reserve list of those interested will be kept. Those on the reserve list will be approached should a space arise. If they still wish to go on the dive, they will be expected to pay a deposit or full balance according to the guidelines.
Accommodation is the responsibility of the diver unless indicated otherwise on the dive schedule.
On Orientation Dives, an additional payment will be incorporated into the published price to provide 3 supplemented spaces for a Dive Marshal and two Assistants. Any diver accepting one of these reduced cost spaces on an orientation dive will be expected to participate in all planned dives unless there are exceptional circumstances (eg injury).
The Dive Marshal and Assistants will be Instructors, Divemasters or Rescue Divers (or equivalent from other agencies) with a minimum of 30 dives, including UK sea experience.

3. Refunds, Cancellations and Changes

Diving is weather and tide dependant. The club or boat skipper may change boats, dive sites or departure times according to weather and operational requirements.
If a dive is cancelled due to adverse weather or for other safety requirements, refunds will be made in accordance with the contract the club has made with the boat skipper. Normally, this will either be a refund, or the option of attending a rescheduled dive.
Dive bookings are accepted on the understanding that if you have booked for a specific site and the weather does not permit diving that location, where possible, an alternative site will be sought taking into account the previously published dive type, qualifications and prepared gas mixes.

4. Responsibilities of the Dive Organiser

The Dive Organiser will attempt to plan the dive sites in advance of bookings being taken
Dive details will be published with the approximate depth of the deepest planned dive and a maximum planned depth.
Orientation Dives will be published with a maximum depth of 18m. Club Dives up to a maximum of 40m.
The Dive Organiser will appoint a Dive Marshal for each dive. The Dive Marshal will agree to carry out the role and may refer anything to either the appropriate Dive Organiser or Chairman or any other Committee member.
The Dive Marshal will be provided with:
- The list of divers expected and their relevant qualification
- Dive Information, time, location, planned dives
- Appropriate paperwork, including Dive Roster, Emergency Contact list and Marshalling Sheet.

5. Responsibilities of the Dive Marshal

The Dive Marshal will be appointed by the Dive Organiser.
The Dive Marshal may seek advice from the Dive Organiser, Chairman or President.
All diving activities will be agreed with the Dive Organiser prior to a trip.
In cases where weather or other circumstances prevent the planned dive going ahead, any changes must not require a qualification increase without reference to the Dive Organiser and/or Chairman
Ensure the appropriate club kit is complete and taken: O2 and First Aid, Dive Marshal File
A risk evaluation of the site will be carried out, to minimise the risk to all divers, including:
- Weather Conditions
- Water State
- Tidal Conditions
- Diving Conditions
Advice should be sought from an appropriate local source (e.g. the skipper) in the event of a change in dive sites
The Dive Marshal will ensure all divers complete the Dive Marshal Sheet before they enter the water.
If the Dive Marshal is unsure as to the qualification level of any diver they may request sight of proof of qualification level.
Any diver who cannot provide such proof will not be allowed entry into the water.
The Dive Marshal may, in the interests of safety, refuse a diver entry into the water
On Orientation Dives, the Dive Marshal will assist in organising buddy teams appropriate to training and experience. Individual requests will of course be taken into account. For Club diving, the Dive Marshal will, where appropriate, assist in organising buddy pairs.
The Dive Marshal will ensure that all divers are accounted for before leaving a dive site and/or quayside by a roll call
The Dive Marshal will advise the Dive Organiser and Chairman of any problems, or incidents as soon as possible but no later than 6 hours after the incident
The Dive Marshal will manage and co-ordinate activities in the event of a diving incident. This will be done in full co-operation with the boat skipper and Emergency Services

The Diving Club, Reading 2006