The planning considerations that are common to all curriculum activities can be found in the CARA generic template. These must be considered as well as the activity-specific considerations outlined below.

Activity scope This guideline relates to student participation in any swimming activity below the water surface using compressed air with self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA)1, as a curriculum activity during daylight hours2. SCUBA diving may involve other activities that have various risk levels. Refer to the relevant guidelines (e.g. Power Boating in Large Craft or Power Boating in a small craft and Snorkelling) for mandatory requirements associated with these activities.

Mandatory requirements Mandatory requirements must be met for the activity to be conducted. • Undertake a process3 to confirm student water safety and aquatic abiltiy prior to participating in the activity. • Obtain parent/carer consent and a medical questionnaire/declaration for high and extreme risk activities.

(Note: Students with a medical condition that may impact on their safety must be cleared by a medical practitioner prior to participation in the activity).

• Appoint a dive supervisor4 to adhere to the requirements of the Recreational Diving, Recreational Technical Diving and Snorkelling – Code of Practice 2011 while referring to Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water, Safety in Recreational Water Activities Act 2011 (Qld) and Diving and snorkelling laws- Occupational diving operations- Standard operational practice 2017.

• Establish and implement procedures appropriate to the activity, location and conditions. This must include, but is not limited to: emergencies (e.g. emergency ascent, low on air, separation from the group, rescue, injury, first aid); resuscitation; communication (e.g. assistance, emergency services, parent notification); and supervision.

• Establish and implement safety procedures. This must include, but is not limited to: Safety information for divers and snorkellers, maintaining positive buoyancy, hyperventilation, safety signals and the identification/control of drowning or injury hazards.

• Induct students on established emergency procedures, safety procedures and correct techniques (e.g. maintaining buoyancy).

• Do not allow divers to dive alone. Certified and qualified divers must dive with a buddy. • Refer to the School Excursions and International School Study Tours procedure for off-site snorkelling

activities. • Follow the school’s sun safety strategy.

1 SCUBA diving may occur in a swimming pool or in locations other than swimming pools (e.g. SCUBA diving introductory dives occur in a swimming pool, resort dives in open water, entry-level dives in open water, or advanced dives in open water).

2 If night dives are required for certification purposes, a separate risk assessment must be completed. 3 The process is determined by the school and must consider the specific aquatic environments in which the activity will take

place. For example, if intending to dive at a still water location, adult supervisors must be satisfied that the participants can swim 200m without stopping and scull/float/tread water for 10 minutes in a swimming pool before participants are granted permission to participate in the SCUBA activity.

4 A Dive supervisor is a person suitably qualified to manage the dive operation from the surface of the dive site. They are trained to recognise hazards and risks of the marine environment and supervise the entry and exit.

SCUBA Diving

Young SCUBA diver all geared up at depth, File # 8863929 iStockphoto © sgcallaway1994 Version: SCUBA Diving v2.0 Date: December 2017

Risk level High risk: SCUBA diving undertaken in a swimming pool. Extreme risk: SCUBA diving undertaken in open water.

Supervision requirements All risk levels • Depth of dive to be advised by the dive supervisor5/dive instructor6 as per their certification and taking

into consideration student experience, skill ability and/or level, and other variables including weather and location.

• Ensure adult supervisors are visible and easily identified and all students are in sight of at least one adult supervisor at all times.

• Conduct safety checks (e.g. a buddy system or roll checks) before, during and after the activity. For high risk activities in addition to all risk level requirements: • Minimum of two adult supervisors, one of whom must be a registered teacher, to act in the roles of:

- certified dive instructor to provide diving instruction; and - competent lookout7 to provide additional assistance and adhering to lookout responsibilities in the

Queensland Recreational Diving, Recreational Technical Diving and Snorkelling – Code of Practice 2011 (the Code).

For extreme risk activities in addition to all risk level requirements: • Minimum of three adult supervisors, one of whom must be a registered teacher to perform the roles of:

- certified dive instructor to provide diving instruction; - certified dive supervisor to supervise the diving area whenever divers are in the water; and - lookout to provide additional assistance to the dive supervisor.

Qualifications for supervisors All risk levels • At least one adult supervisor must hold an oxygen provider qualification (e.g. 22298VIC - Course in Basic

Oxygen Administration or 10523NAT - Course in Oxygen First Aid for Dive Accidents or equivalent). How the oxygen is accessed must be clearly identified in the ‘Other Details’ box in OneSchool, to meet the requirement of the Code.

• An experienced dive instructor (if required for type of dive) with a SCUBA Instructor qualification, such as SISOSCB419A - Instruct SCUBA diving skills or equivalent) and certification from a recreational dive training association, for example PADI which complies with The World Recreational SCUBA Training Council's Course Content as a Recreational Dive Instructor.

• An experienced dive supervisor with certification from a recreational dive training association, which complies with The World Recreational SCUBA Training Council's Course Content as a Recreational Dive Supervisor.

• An adult lookout who holds current first aid qualifications including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and anaphylaxis training. Refer to the Anaphylaxis Guidelines for Queensland State Schools for students with known allergies, and, if relevant, your school’s Anaphylaxis Risk Management Plan.

5 Dive supervisor is certified to manage the dive experience, positioned out of the water to watch for potential hazards, supervise entry and exits, competent in using marine communication equipment, fist aid, CPR and rescue equipment.

6 Dive instructor is experienced and certified in providing instruction and guidance in the teaching of SCUBA diving technique. Note: The dive instructor is not necessary if all members of the group are certified divers. In this case, at least one registered teacher (who is also a certified diver) must accompany the students in the water. Consider group size when allocating supervisor numbers in the water.

7 The lookout must be positioned out of the water, solely engaged in watching for approaching vessels, dangerous marine life and divers in difficulty. This lookout must be able to rescue, provide first aid, CPR and resuscitation or direct someone who can immediately perform these duties.

Page 2 of 4 SCUBA Diving v2.0

• The adult lookout will have capability and competence (knowledge and skills) to perform a rescue to assist/recover a student, if required.

Requirements for facilities and equipment • SCUBA equipment, (e.g. air cylinders), that is correctly fitted and complies with the requirements of

Recreational Diving, Recreational Technical Diving and Snorkelling – Code of Practice 2011.

Hazards and controls Before the activity

Hazards Control measures

Considering environmental conditions

• Select a dive location considering depth of water, tidal flow and currents, underwater vegetation, marine life, protection from watercraft and zoning plans produced by the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing or other relevant authority.

• Obtain advice from the local authority (e.g. lifeguards, surf club members) about local conditions and potential hazards.

• Check with the local authority, such as council, for the presence of water contaminates, e.g. blue-green algae and other dangers e.g. stonefish, blue-ring octopus, crocodiles. Refer to Australian Institute of Marine Sciences for information on dangerous Australian marine animals. Stings and bites from some marine animals (e.g. stonefish, irukandji) can be fatal. Refer to Queensland Poisons Information Centre for further information about types of poisoning and treatment available, or phone 13 11 26.

Accessing facilities and using equipment

• Use student-owned equipment, if possible, and maintain hygienic practices. • Handle air cylinders carefully.

Managing student considerations

• Ensure students have sufficient water and food available for the duration of the activity.

During the activity

Considering environmental conditions

• Assess weather (Bureau of Meteorology) and environmental conditions. Cease activities when conditions tend towards unfavourable (e.g. impending storm, low water visibility).

• Continually monitor the area for dangerous marine creatures (e.g. crocodiles, stingers, oysters). Immediately move the participants to a safe location if dangerous marine creatures are detected or suspected.

Managing student considerations

• Advise students not to enter the water until instructed to do so by the dive supervisor.

• Continuously monitor students for signs of distress (e.g. fatigue, illness, hunger, sun stroke, dehydration, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation and ear discomfort).

After the activity Accessing facilities and using equipment

• Ensure all equipment is cleaned and stored safely and securely when not in use.

Managing student considerations

• Implement procedures (e.g roll marking mechanisms) for students leaving the location.

• Ensure shade, water, food and first aid is readily available.

Additional links Australian Underwater Federation Royal Life Saving Queensland Dive Queensland

Page 3 of 4 SCUBA Diving v2.0

Disclaimer:

This document is developed and distributed on this website by the State of Queensland for use by Queensland state schools. Use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this document or information in this document by persons or organisations other than the State of Queensland is at their sole risk. All users who use, adapt or rely on this document or any information in this document are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency and appropriateness to their particular circumstances. The State of Queensland makes no representations, either express or implied, as to the suitability of this document or the information in this document to a user’s particular circumstances. To the full extent permitted by law, the State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility and liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs arising from the use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this document or any information in this document.

Links in this document to external websites are for convenience only and the State of Queensland has not independently verified the information on the linked websites. It is the responsibility of users to make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of the information at these external websites.

Page 4 of 4 SCUBA Diving v2.0