Prior to participation on the "Covus
Introduction to Offshore Diving" course,
the following personal matters should be considered.
Personal
Requirements
Practical Training
Diving operations and preparations using heavy equipment and tools,
require appropriate working attire. Students will be required
to bring with them, on each day of the course, the following personal
items; (Note: these items should also be in accordance with Covus
standard operating procedures).
• Boots
- solid work boots are necessary to protect feet whilst working.
Steel cap, non-
slip boots are preferred.
• Work
clothes - sturdy cloths such as overalls or “King Gee”
style trousers/shirts are essential. Please
note that work clothes must be clean and free of oils, grease,
paints etc.
• Cotton
Underwear – yes we are getting personal! However, nylon
is a fire hazard in compressed air environments.
• Hat
is recommended.
• Towel.
• Bathers.
• Small
seamanship knife is recommended but not essential.
Please remember that weather conditions can change quite rapidly
on a dive site. It is best to be prepared!
Classroom
Students will require the following personal stationery items:
• Pen.
• Notebook/paper.
Diving Equipment
All diving and associated equipment is to be provided during the
course by TUCF. It is recommended that students wishing to dive
provide their own personal diving equipment. These items include: • Wetsuit.
• Booties.
• Gloves.
• Hood.
• Weightbelt.
• Fins.
If students do not have this equipment TUCF will supply it.
Statement
of Understanding Surface supplied diving recompression chamber operations
are risk inherent activities. There is a clear requirement under
the Fair Trading Act (WA), the Trade Practices Act 1974 (C’th)
and Occupational Health Safety Acts to provide a safe working
and learning environment. The Underwater Centre Fremantle has
an obligatory duty of care to do so.
However, like other training institutions in similar risk inherent
environments, we will ask students to sign a “Course Participation,
Express Assumption of Risk, Liability Release and Indemnity Agreement”
at the commencement of their training. In addition to the liability
and indemnity release, the agreement clearly defines the potential
hazards of the course, the limitations of the training provided
by The Underwater Centre Fremantle, and what is included in the
course. If you have any problems with this form please do not
hesitate to call.
To view a draft copy of the "Statement of Understanding”
click here.
Health
and Safety Considerations
Alcohol
Alcohol is a predisposing factor to decompression illness. You
may be undertaking a deep 50 metre chamber dive on the first day
of your course. It will be a requirement for safety that you restrict
the consumption of alcohol in the 24 hours before the course.
You should not consume alcohol after midnight on the night before
the commencement of the course.
Diving Within The Past 48 Hours
Previous deep dives and repetitive dives are predisposing factors
to decompression illness. Please restrict dives in the 48 hours
prior to the commencement of the course to depths less than 20
metres. You will be required to inform your instructor of any
dives undertaken in the week prior to the course at the commencement
of your training.
Ears
Healthy ears and proper Eustachian tube function are essential
for safe and enjoyable diving. This is particularly so for surface
supplied diving and chamber operations. If you have had difficulty
in the past equalising your ears please notify your instructor
at the commencement of training.
Claustrophobia
Some students with a predisposition to claustrophobia may find
surface supplied diving and chamber operations a little daunting.
Please let your instructor know. We are keen to make your experience
enjoyable and can assist you in this area.
Prerequisites
The following mandatory course prerequisites must be
met by divers wishing to dive on the "Covus
Introduction to Offshore Diving" course:
• Must
have obtained the PADI Open Water Diver or approved equivalent.
• Must
be 18 years of age.
• Must
be medically in date. (A diving medical in accordance with AS4005.1
is required at the commencement of initial
scuba training. To remain "medically indate"
the diver must complete further medical
examinations in accordance with AS4005.1 every five years
up to the age of 30, every three years up to the age of 50, and
annually thereafter.)