Need to Dive?

Dive Plan Approval Process

The Principal Investigator (PI) or Lead Diver completes a draft dive plan for submission to the Diving Safety Officer (DSO). The DSO will work with the PI/Lead Diver to review dive plan elements and resolve any safety issues or work and training requirements. Once the initial review is completed the DSO will submit the dive plan to the DCB for final review and approval. During final review, the dive plan may need to go back to the DSO and PI/Lead Diver to address any concerns identified by the DCB. Once approved, the PI/lead diver will be responsible to conduct safe scientific dives in the field, and ensure timely reporting of dive logs, near misses, or accidents.

Filing a Dive Plan

If you need to file an OSU dive plan, you can find the Dive Plan Submittal Form on the Training & Resources page or contact the Diving Safety Officer directly. It is the responsibility of the PI or Lead Diver to fill out the initial draft dive plan.

Dive Planning Tips

Here is information on some sections of the OSU Dive Plan Submittal Form. Questions about any of the dive plan sections should be directed to the DSO.

• Dive Platform Name: Dives conducted from vessels may require prior approval from the OSU Small Boat Program
• Lead Diver: The Lead Diver is the person in charge of onsite diving operations and is approved in advance by the DSO. The responsibilities of the Lead Diver are outlined in the OSU Lead Diver Checklist
• Work Proposed: A brief summary of the underwater tasks that will be undertaken. No details on the dive evolution are required in this section.
• Tools/Equipment Used: Describe any project-specific tools or equipment, including breathing gases other than air or dive modes other than conventional open-circuit. You do not need to list common scuba equipment
• Hazards and Mitigations: List hazards specific to both the tasks and diving environment associated with the plan. Each Hazard should have a corresponding Mitigation(s) (ex. Low visibility/use of guidelines and dive lights). You do not need to list commonly accepted dive hazards (decompression sickness, barotrauma, near drowning).
• Diving Roster: All divers must be current status AAUS divers or have specific DCB approval. Dives should be planned around the competency of the least experienced diver. All divers should have depth certifications adequate for the planned dive profiles. All non-OSU divers must have reciprocity established with the SDP
• Tasks and Description of Dive Evolutions: A description of how the dives are expected to proceed with roles and responsibilities outlined. It is useful to describe the dive activity in a chronological fashion: descent, bottom phase, ascent. If distinct tasks and locations are included in the plan, descriptions for each type of dive must be provided.

• Diving Emergency Management Procedures: This section constitutes the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the listed dive activities. The EAP must include procedures and responses for the specific dive locations and platforms listed in the dive plan

In the Field

It is the responsibility of the Lead Diver to see that the approved dive plan is executed onsite as written. Minor deviations to the dive plan may be approved in the field by the Lead Diver through discussions with the dive team, but any major changes should be requested through the DSO. Onsite “Go, No-Go” decisions are the responsibility of the Lead Diver with the understanding per AAUS that, “any diver may call a dive at any time for any reason without fear of repercussion.” The Project Dive Log must be maintained and any Incidents and Close Calls/Near-Misses reported. See Lead Diver Checklist and OSU Diving Incident Report Form.

Closing the Dive Plan

Upon completion of diving or end of the project the Lead Diver must submit all Project Dive Logs and arrange a project debrief with the DSO (debrief may include the PI if appropriate). Debrief topics would include project success, challenges/problems, areas of improvement, and review of any Close Calls/Near-Misses. For long-term projects periodic check-ins should be arranged with the DSO.