Below are the requirements for any diver conducting any decompression dive from Southern Image or with Image Dive. They are for your own safety and the safety of others.
General requirements:
- Divers must hold appropriate certification for the planned dive, including depth, gases used, and any equipment-specific qualifications (for example, rebreathers).
- Plan your dive in accordance with your training agency’s guidelines and ensure you carry their recommended safety equipment.
Equipment and water entry:
- You are expected to enter the water with all required equipment already in place (with the exception of cameras) so that there is no need to return to the vessel and potentially create risk or additional workload for the crew and other divers.
- Please ensure you have boots on your 80/95 cu ft stage cylinders to prevent damage to the vessel.
- We recommend you dive with a minimum off
- Red and Yellow SMB with suitable reels or spools
- Whistle
- One of the following: Flare, mirror, dye marker, PLB or AIS beacon
Exiting the water:
- When approaching the vessel, please ensure your gear is ready to be passed up and secured, with no regulators hanging loose and all hoses disconnected from drysuits and CCRs.
- If you begin climbing the ladder with your gear on, you will be expected to complete the ladder climb and sit down with your equipment before removal: please avoid requesting that cylinders be removed for you at the top of the ladder-this is potentially dangerous for the crew and delays the next diver.
- Climb the ladder with your mask on, regulator or loop in your mouth, and fins either on your feet (as the ladder is designed for) or over your wrists, in line with standard safe practice should you re-enter the water unexpectedly.
Dive timing:
- Divers are to give the boat a run time/ contingency time for when they are expected back to the boat.
- On double dive days ensure you work within the allotted time frame.
Descent line, decompression ropes and bars
On 45m plus dives the boat will supply a descent line ("shot line") and deco rope to 40m on shallower dives and decompression bars (6, 9 and 12m) on deeper dives(90m+).
Cylinder labelling:
1. If you are a decompression trained diver all stage cylinders should be marked with the following:
- Diver's name
- Gas analysis
- MOD in numerals at least 50mm high
2. If you are not a decompression diver, any cylinder containing a gas other than air must be clearly marked to show the oxygen percentage, using an appropriate international standard (such as a Nitrox wrap) or an equivalent clear marking method.