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IMCA minimum criteria for surface supplied diver training
Offshore surface supply
Divers undertaking an offshore diver training programme must undertake dives in a range of depths to the maximum depth of the qualification. Upon completion of the programme they must be competent to operate safely as a diver in an offshore environment. It is also expected that during training divers will undertake a variety of simple work tasks. The primary focus throughout the training programme, however, should be to ensure that the candidate can operate safely in a number of roles within a dive team including; tender, diver, standby diver and deck crew. In addition, they must be competent to undertake routine diving-related rigging both on the surface and underwater, by the end of their training.
As a minimum, any recognised programme that leads to an IMCA recognised offshore diver qualification must include the following theoretical and practical training:
- Surface supplied diving equipment (SSDE)
- Theoretical instruction to ensure an understanding of the essential physics, physiology, practices and technology to be able to operate and dive safely in an offshore environment;
- Dives in a range of depths both as a diver and standby diver to a maximum of depth 50 metres and from a range of dive stations. The training must include operations from both a cage (dive stage) and wet bell;
- Decompression dives utilising both in-water and surface decompression techniques;
- Safe preparation, operation and simple maintenance of a twin-lock decompression chamber;
- Safe operation and maintenance of equipment used to support offshore diving operations;
- Operate effectively as part of a diving crew on the surface during routine and emergency situations;
- Perform simple underwater tasks during diving operations. These tasks should include; rigging, survey and the use of simple power tools;
- As a minimum, complete first aid training to a recognised standard.
- Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (Commercial SCUBA)The minimum equipment configuration for commercial SCUBA is as follows: full-face mask, bail-out cylinder, switching block, lifeline and voice communications.The following theoretical and practical training:
- Whilst working as part of a dive team, undertake familiarisation training in the use of commercial SCUBA including pre-and post-dive procedures;
- Develop a solid understanding of the application, including practical experience, so that candidates understand the limits of SCUBA as a working technique in a range of depths to a maximum of 30 metres;
- Actions in the event of an underwater emergency when using SCUBA;
- An understanding of the limitations of ACUBA when used as a bailout on SSDE.

IMCA Contact
Peter Sieniewicz
Technical Adviser - Diving
Contact
Information Note Details
Published date: 24 October 2017
Information note ID: 1384
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