Risk Assessment

Bournemouth & Poole BSAC 006 Dive Club

Risk Assessment

1. Basis of Assessment

This risk assessment has been prepared using the following frequency and consequence definitions.

Frequency Definitions

Low – Happens infrequently, might be expected to happen less than once every ten years to an individual.

Medium – Not a common occurrence, but individuals are likely to have experienced this event.

High – A frequent and readily foreseeable event, has happened and is likely to re-occur.

Consequence Definitions

Low – Minor injury

Medium – Injury which may require professional medical treatment and or time of work.

High – Permanent disability/Death

Risk Matrix

The frequency and consequence are combined to derive the risk associated with the hazard using the risk matrix presented below.

		Consequence
		Low	Medium	High
Freq.	Low	Low	Low	Medium
	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium
	High	Medium	Medium	High

Guidance on Assigning Frequency and Consequence

When assigning the frequency and consequence associated with a hazard care should be taken not to over assess the risk. For example the frequency for falling over would be assigned a high frequency and the consequence could be assessed to be high, as permanent disability or even death could occur. However, the frequency of a fall resulting in disability/death would in reality be low, giving a low risk.

All diving must be authorised by the Diving Officer and any incidents must be reported

straight away.

There must be adequate surface cover and all diving must comply with BSAC protocol regarding ascents, descents, decompression, buddy checks and planning.

2. Risk Assessment

Hazard	Who	Freq.	Severity	Risk	Controls	Risk After Controls
3. Equipment Malfunction	All divers	Low	High	Med	Safeguards Pre- dive equipment checks - BAR Buddy checks Mitigators Maintained Equipment Alternative air sources carried by diver and buddy. Redundant buoyancy devices consisting of two of the following dry suit/BC/ releasable weight belts. Back up decompression slates or spare computer carried	Low
4. Running Out Of Air	All divers	High	High	High	Safeguards Pressure gauge fitted to all gas sources Pre- dive equipment checks - BAR Buddy checks Mitigators Alternative air sources carried by diver and buddy.	Low
5. Uncontrolled Ascent	All divers	Medium	High	Med	Safeguards Training, progressive exposure to depth. Maintained Equipment Use of shot line/SMB line for ascents. All divers to carry depth gauge and watch as a minimum. Mitigators Breath normally during ascent Abort dive Qualified Dive Marshal Monitor diver Administer O2 if necessary and call emergency services At least one of the following available to the Dive Marshal VHF radio/mobile phone/flares to contact emergency services	Low
6. Lost Buddy Separation	All divers	Medium	Low	Low	Safeguards Stay within sight according to visibility. Use of buddy line if appropriate. Diver to surface having completed a reasonable search for buddy (30 secs). Mitigators Make DM aware.Cox,n to be aware of exact location Marshal sheet gives indication of lost divers air duration. Carry DSMB and know how to use. Diver recall for other divers Qualified Dive Marshal At least one of the following available to the Dive Marshal VHF radio/mobile phone/flares to contact emergency services	Low
7. Hypothermia	All	Medium	High	Med	Safeguards All divers trained to be aware of symptoms. Dive marshal to decide on suitability of dive suit & equipment used. Mitigators Abort dive. Remove from water and wind. Qualified Dive Marshal At least one of the following available to the Dive Marshal VHF radio/mobile phone/flares to contact emergency services	Low
8. Decompression Sickness	All divers	Low	High	Med	Safeguards Training Use of computer/depth gauge and watch to achieve correct ascent rate. Use of computer or appropriate tables. Back up tables or computer to be carried. Use of delayed SMBs/SMBs/Shot Lines for ascents requiring deco. Clear Dive plan and briefing by Dive Leader. Mitigators Qualified Dive Marshal Administer O2 and fluids and lay casualty flat At least one of the following available to the Dive Marshal VHF radio/mobile phone/flares to contact emergency services, Buddy sent with casualty for professional assessment/treatment	Low
9. Oxygen Poisoning	Nitrox Divers	Low	High	Med	Safeguards Nitrox use restricted to trained divers only. Cylinders analysed at filling station. Cylinders marked with % oxygen. All divers carry a depth gauge or computer. Use of delayed SMBs/SMBs/Shot Lines for ascents/descents. Oxygen limits set below true danger level of 1.4 bar. Mitigators Ascend if PPO₂ exceeded, abort dive and perform any required decompression.
10. Injury From Boats	All divers	Low	High	Med	Safeguards Use of SMBs/delayed SMBs in all areas where boats may be present. Safe ascent procedure. Surface cover to contact coast guard/use boat to protect divers in the water. Mitigators Qualified Dive Marshal First aid to casualties At least one of the following available to the Dive Marshal VHF radio/mobile phone/flares to contact emergency services, Record relevant details of vessel	Low
11. Nitrogen Narcosis	All divers	High	Medium	Med	Safeguards Progressive build up of depth experience for trainees in presence of suitably qualified buddy. Clear dive plan. Mitigators Ascend till symptoms relieved and abort dive carrying out any necessary decompression required. Use of delayed SMBs/SMBs/Shot Lines for ascents/descents.	Low
12. Training Dives	Trainee and Instructor	Medium	High	Med	Safeguards Training dives only undertaken by “instructor grades”. Training is undertaken in a safe and progressive manner. Dive Briefing Dive Plan Use of shot line/SMB line/sloping bottom for ascents/descents. Mitigators Instructor present Alternative air sources carried by divers. Redundant buoyancy devices consisting of two of the following dry suit/BC/ releasable weight belts.	Low
13. Mask Squeeze Trainees	Trainees	High	Low	Med	Safeguards Mask Squeeze taught. Only mask which encloses both eyes and nose in the same airspace used. Mask Squeeze included in initial dive briefings. Mitigators Ascend till symptoms relieved and abort dive carrying out any necessary decompression required. Use of delayed SMBs/SMBs/Shot Lines for ascents/descents. Abort dive/surface. Qualified Dive Marshal Seek medical attention if pain persists on surface	Low
14. Ear Damage	All divers	Med	Med	Med	Safeguards Ear clearing taught. Avoid diving if heavily congested. Use of approved decongestants – Sudafed to be avoided. Controlled descent/ascent using combination of: · Buoyancy control; · shotlines; · SMB lines; · Depth gauge /computer. Ascend/descend as necessary. Mitigators Abort dive/surface. Qualified Dive Marshal Seek medical attention if pain persists on surface	Low
15. Entanglement In Nets / Lines	All divers	Low	High	Med	Safeguards Don’t dive in vicinity of marked fishing nets Mitigators All divers carry a net/line cutting device. Buddy Diving	Low
16. Stings/Bites Etc	All divers	Low	Med	Low	Safeguards Trained in bio hazards associated with diving site by marshal. Be observant, do not touch what you cannot identify, wear gloves if appropriate. Mitigators Inform buddy/DM Qualified Dive Marshal First Aid as appropriate At least one of the following available to the Dive Marshal VHF radio/mobile phone/flares to contact emergency services	Low
17. Tides	All divers	High	Med	Med	See 28 below plus. Safeguards Trained Dive Marshal to assess effects of tides i.e. access/egress Mitigators Surface Cover Qualified Dive Marshal At least one of the following available to the Dive Marshal VHF radio/mobile phone/flares to contact emergency services	Low
18. Deteriorating Weather	All divers	High	High	High	Safeguards Diving planned using latest weather information. Qualified Dive Marshal Access/egress points assessed prior to dive. Mitigators Qualified Dive Marshal monitors dive conditions. At least one of the following available to the Dive Marshal VHF radio/mobile phone/flares to contact emergency services	Low
19. Cuts	All	Low	Low	Low	Safeguards Dive Marshal to advise on potential hazards Suitable gloves worn whilst diving. Mitigators Redundant buoyancy devices consisting of two of the following: dry suit/BC/releasable weight belts Qualified Dive Marshal First Aid as appropriate At least one of the following available to the Dive Marshal VHF radio/mobile phone/flares to contact emergency services	Low
20. Rebreathers	Rebreather Divers	Medium	High	Med	Safeguards Divers have undergone specialist training with an approved body. Mitigators Appropriate bailout to be carried at all times	Low
Boat Related
21. Deteriorating Weather	All persons on the boat	Medium	Medium	Med	See 18 above plus Mitigators Diver Cox’n on boat Cox’n to be familiar with navigational hazards within the area and buoyage systems in operation Boat fitted with GPS, echo sounder and magnetic compass Qualified Dive Marshal At least one of the following available to the Dive Marshal VHF radio/mobile phone/flares to contact emergency services Boat is fitted with anchor.	Low
22. Boat breakdown	All persons on the boat	Medium	Medium	Med	Safeguards Boat/engine maintained Pre-launch checks. Mitigators Qualified Dive Marshal and cox’n At least one of the following available to the Dive Marshal VHF radio/mobile phone/flares to contact emergency services Boat is fitted with anchor. Rudimentary tools carried on boat. Divers wear buoyancy aids and have ditchable equipment if lost.	Low
23. Electronics Failure	All persons on the boat	Medium	Medium	Med	Safeguards Pre-launch checks. Mitigators Diver Cox’n on boat Cox’n to be familiar with navigational hazards within the area and buoyage systems in operation Boat fitted with magnetic compass At least one of the following available to the Dive Marshal VHF radio/mobile phone/flares to contact emergenc

Low

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See 28 below plus.

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