Mixed Teams

Definitions in the Regulations
ACOP Note 15
There is nothing in the Diving Regulations that prevents scientific and archaeological dive teams being made up of a mix of both people who are at work and people who are not.'
Managing a mixed team is a type of risk that needs to be planned for.

NAS Training
My definition of a mixed team:-
Where a diving team working under the DOWR 97 regulations is considered to be at work includes a member of that team not at work

Diving teams and associated working practice
Regulation 6:
(3) The Diving contractor shall:-
(a) 'ensure that there are sufficient people with suitable competence to carry out safely and without risk….'

Diving teams and associated working practice
ACOP Note 47
All the people who form part of the dive team must be competent to discharge their duties.
HSE approves certain qualifications under this code which indicate that a minimum level of competence has been assessed.
The diving contractor has a duty to engage competent people,….
This is particularly important when allocating duties for mixed team diving.

Divers
Regulation 13(1) No person shall dive in a diving project:-
(a) 'unless he is competent to carry out safely and without risk to health any activity he may reasonably expect to carry out while taking part in the diving project.'

ACOP Note 87
If the dive team includes people who are not at work, they must be competent to perform any task allocated.

ACOP Note 89
All members of the dive team should be fully trained with any specialised equipment (or technique) that they will be using, and if appropriate, hold a certificate of training or competency in the specialised equipment (or technique).

ACOP Note 87: If the dive team includes people who are not at work, they must be competent to perform any task allocated.
ACOP Note 89: All members of the dive team should be fully trained with any specialised equipment (or technique) that they will be using, and if appropriate, hold a certificate of training or competency in the specialised equipment (or technique).

Qualifications
ACOP Note 90
HSE issues an annual list of approved diving qualifications suitable for diving under this Code.

The list can be obtained from the HSE.

Divers must hold one of these qualifications before they can be engaged in a diving project.
For benign conditions, and in pools, tanks….Equivalent to CMAS 2 Star, e.g.. BSAC Sport Diver
All HSE qualifications, or CMAS 3 Star, e.g.. Advanced Diver

Issues relating to NAS Training
Are there any participants at work?
Do tutors and participants constitute a mixed team?
How does a tutor render assistance to a participant if using surface supply, or scuba with full face mask?

Should we be using the Recreational Scuba ACOP?