Nudibranch Diver
Registered
Hello All,
I wanted to get some advice and guidance on the responsibilities surrounding the use of drop tanks. An issue arose on my PADI DM course and I can't find any reference in their standards.
I understand that according to PADI standards drop tanks should be used when doing deep dives and its the responsibility of the most qualified diver on board, in my case the instructor, to notify the Boat Captain that they will be needed. In this situation, as the DM trainee, I was instructed to tell the Boat Captain that we would be needing a drop tank, which I did, also adding to check the regulator was working ok and that he had enough rope to hang it at 5 meters.
What I would like to understand is whos responsibility is it to ensure the Boat Captain knows how to deploy a drop tank on the boat that he is captaining? There are many instances where accidents could happen as a result of the incorrect deployment of a dive tank, e.g. it falls on a diver below, is empty, is too shallow, is not properly secured etc. Perhaps there should also be some guidance as to where from the boat it should be dropped so as not to interfere with the mooring line, too near the propeller?
Who is responsible for ensuring the Boat Captain knows? Is it the DM trainee? The instructor? The Boat Captain? The Dive Shop owner?
I wanted to get some advice and guidance on the responsibilities surrounding the use of drop tanks. An issue arose on my PADI DM course and I can't find any reference in their standards.
I understand that according to PADI standards drop tanks should be used when doing deep dives and its the responsibility of the most qualified diver on board, in my case the instructor, to notify the Boat Captain that they will be needed. In this situation, as the DM trainee, I was instructed to tell the Boat Captain that we would be needing a drop tank, which I did, also adding to check the regulator was working ok and that he had enough rope to hang it at 5 meters.
What I would like to understand is whos responsibility is it to ensure the Boat Captain knows how to deploy a drop tank on the boat that he is captaining? There are many instances where accidents could happen as a result of the incorrect deployment of a dive tank, e.g. it falls on a diver below, is empty, is too shallow, is not properly secured etc. Perhaps there should also be some guidance as to where from the boat it should be dropped so as not to interfere with the mooring line, too near the propeller?
Who is responsible for ensuring the Boat Captain knows? Is it the DM trainee? The instructor? The Boat Captain? The Dive Shop owner?