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RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Convention Emergancy Dive Plan
Ray,
I agree with Joe and the "pilot in command" precedent. Each sub pilot
should be responsible for their own safety including securing divers
services if they believe that is necessary. We don't have the authority to
dictate terms to sub-owners or enforce penalties if such terms were violated
even after the owner/pilot had agreed to such. Such rules may not even be
practical since conditions can change and for their own safety pilots may
not be able to adhere to those agreed upon rules.
Having one dive master in charge of multiple subs over a span of 100 yards,
seems to me to be an impossible task. Especially if water conditions and
visibility are low. If all the subs are at different depths, how do you
communicate with them? What if a sub is below safe diving limits? If a
structured dive were required, the only resonable way to approach it would
be that only one sub dive at a time so that the safety crew would be able to
concentrate on that sub alone.
Once you start defining a "safety plan", liability becomes a big issue.
PSUBS should sponsor conventions, meetings, and even static sub-displays.
But sub diving and any risks associated with it should be the sole
responsibility of the owner/pilot with clear knowledge that they do it at
their own risk. Let the sub owners coordinate amoungst themselves prior to
the dive, acceptable distances between vessels and entry/exit times.
Regarding the convention dates, I second Al Secor's request for a change in
dates. I'd like to see the convention return to the August timeframe. As
Al commented, there are lots of things happening at the end of June.
Jon
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
[mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org]On Behalf Of Ray Keefer
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 6:27 PM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Convention Emergancy Dive Plan
Hi,
There are already initial discussions on the for the
2007 PSUBS Convention itenary. Location is in Michigan
and dates are:
Friday, 29 June 2007
Saturday, 30 June 2007
Sunday, 01 July 2007
Which gives us plenty of time to discuss an aspect of
the 2006 convention that bothered me.
While the dive operations went well, what would of
happened if there was an incedent? On Saturday there
were ten of us on a pontoon boat while Alec and Les
were diving their subs. So if a problem did occur who
would coordinate rescue? By the time that was sorted
out, consensus was taken and plan of action
chosen...someone could of drowned.
While pandemonium was ensuing a few heros would of
jumped in. Would there of been enough coordination to
assist their individual efforts? Or would the result
of been additional folks at risk?
I could go on. My intent with this email is to start
dialog on what a reasonable plan should be. Below are
my intitial thoughts on how I see the Convention
Emergancy Dive Plan (CEDP) should be set up.
Convention Emergancy Dive Plan (CEDP)
1. Dive Master
1. One individual is dive master.
2. He stays at the dive site and on the surface
unless formally spelled by another individual. Hand
off has to be clear.
3. Before diving the sub driver must notify Dive
Master.
4. Upon surfacing the sub driver must notify Dive
Master.
5. No more then 5 subs diving at any one time. Too
many subs would overwhelm the Dive Master and a sub in
trouble might get overlooked for too long.
6. All subs to dive within a 100 yards of each
other and Dive Master. Junior or Deputy Dive Masters
to be managing submersible diving outside Dive
Master's immediate area. After all the Dive Master can
only keep a situational awareness so far out.
2. Once an emergancy is stated,
Dive Master is the go to person to clear actions.
3. First Action
First action of Dive Master is to delcare all diving
operations suspended. All none effected subs have to
surface, open hatch and stay there. The only exception
would be if a sub actually was in visual contact with
the stricken vessel. In which case visual contact is
important to maintain.
4. Rescue Dive Teams.
Rescue divers need to be paired. Just like you do for
normal diving operations. One team needs to be ready
to get into the water within a minute of declared
emergancy. A second team within ten minutes.
5. Rescue Dive Team Actions
1. Locate strickened vessel.
2. Establish communication with occupant.
3. Assess nature of emergancy.
4. If possible follow Owner Emergancy Procdure for
that sub.
5. Invoke Plan B if Owner Emergancy Procedure
doesn't work.
6. Owner Emergancy Procedures (sub save thy self)
1. Each sub owner should document emergancy
procedures.
2. A copy of each document to be given to Dive
Master and reviewed by Recue Divers.
3. Details in procedure must include what outside
divers can do to bring sub to surface and open hatch.
7. Plan B Procedures (PSUBS dive team attempt to save
sub)
1. Bleed scuba tanks into MBT to force sub up.
2. Have cutting tools to free sub from
entanglement.
3. Have lift bags on hand. Enough to lift 5 tons or
twice the biggest sub in attendance.
4. Have enough scuba tanks on hand to fill MBTs and
lift bags down to operational depth of area. Or at
least maximum scuba diving depth. Approximately 160
feet.
5. First aid kit on site by Dive Master.
6. Closest Decompression Chamber identified.
7. Local Emergancy numbers compiled.
8. Local Hospital identified.
8. Required Equipment in/on Subs
Requiring people to invest into a set of required
equipment will smack hard against some of our more
individual owners. Not to mention their pocket books.
Still needs discussion.
1. Underwater telephones.
2. Bouys.
1. Emergancy release. Good enough? Only release
when you get into trouble. Assuming one remembers or
is able to do so.
2. Continous tethered float. On one dive Alec
went down. When he came up NO ONE had expected him to
come up where he did. We were all suprised. A float
would of been very useful in knowing were he was.
3. 72 hour air supply.
4. Walkie Talkies.
9. Required Equipment with Dive Master/Rescue Team
1. Cell phone.
2. Underwater telephone.
3. Multiple surface boats. At least two. One needs
to be capable of 5 or more person capacity. The other
can be canoe or row boat sized.
4. Walkie Talkies for surface communications for
each boat and sub.
10. Talker.
Dive Master work load is great. He has to keep in
touch with multiple subs and surface awareness. Assign
a talker to handle the underwater telephone
communications as interface to Dive Master.
11. Chase Boat Pilot
Have an individual operating the primary, large,
chase boat. Again freeing the Dive Master of a task
drain.
Regards,
Ray
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