Divemaster Procedures

1
Divemaster Procedures

• The role of the first responder to a call-out

2
By having each member familiar with the
Divemaster role, our team is able to respond to
every call-out in an efficient, professional
manner.
3
This Presentation Will Cover

• Assessment of a situation
• Organization of resources
• Planning of operation specifics
• Implementation of the plan
• Termination of the SAR operation
• Importance of the role
• Dealing with next-of-kin and media
• Materials needed

4
At the end of this presentation you will be able
to...

• List specific responsibilities of the first
  responder assuming the role of Divemaster
• State two reasons why proper performance of the
  team member in this role is so important
• List considerations when dealing with family or
  media
• List materials a Divemaster should have to
  perform the role

5
Assessment

• Report to law enforcement official, or other
  person in charge
• Interview the official and any witnesses to
  determine search objectives
• DO NOT enter the water or leave the scene
• Use the best person to determine PLS
• Deploy diver with float to mark the PLS and check
  conditions

6
Assessment cont.

• Assess local terrain features
• Communicate with Deputy on scene to determine
  resources available
• Conduct risk/benefit assessment

7
Organization

• Select base site
• Organize resources
• Appoint assistants for base site duties may
  include
• check in person
• equipment handlers
• liaisons
• general logistics
• Squad leaders ready to exchange positions

8
Organization summary

• All personnel should have an appropriate
  assignment
• Equipment should be prepared and ready for use

9
Planning

• Formulate concept of how operation should be
  conducted
• Present conceptual plan to team inviting input
• Make a final decision regarding the plan to be
  implemented
• Brief members of the plan and individual
  assignments

10
Implementation

• Safety well being of divers 1
• Ensure entry exit times are being logged
• Act decisively according to the plan
• Supervise
• Be alert to changing conditions
• Be flexible toward changing or modifying the
  operation
• Communicate changes to team members

11
Implementation cont.

• Maintain an accurate log of the area searched
  (drawings, GPS coordinates etc.)
• Notify official upon recovery of object
• Inform team members of recovery
• DO NOT neglect divers in the water
• Have the object inventoried and tagged
• Deliver the object to the appropriate official
• Get receipt of delivery

12
Termination

• Ensure the Sheriff's dispatcher is informed that
  the operation is terminated
• Retrieve, clean, and store equipment
• Poll all SAR personnel to determine if any
  injuries and/or equipment losses have occurred.
  If so, report them to the SAR liaison officer
• Critique the operation

13
Importance of Role

• Establishes order and eliminates chaos
• Allows rest of team to do their job efficiently
• The Divemaster represents our team to other
  agencies/officials, family members of the victim,
  and through the media, to the county or more

14
Family Members of Victim

• One person assigned to family(usually not team
  member)
• Good communications set up early on with family
  members
• Communications should be straight forward and not
  give false hope
• Inform family of the operations plan and keep
  them up to date on any changes
• Try to get their buy-in, show them that
  everything feasible is being done

15
Media

• Person assigned to give information to media
  Press Information Officer (PIO)
• Direct all inquiries to PIO
• If PIO asks you to be interviewed, state only
  what you know, dont assume facts
• Treat the media with courtesy
• Conduct yourself professionally at all times

16
Divemaster Materials

• Call-out kit
• cue card flip chart
• clip board
• paper
• 2 pencils
• 2 pens
• ICS forms
• 2 pair gloves/pocket mask
• laminated team roster/ten codes
• drawing compass

17
Application

• You will use the information presented here when
  assuming the role of Divemaster for training or
  actual operations.

18
Summary

• Name the five basic functions of the Divemaster
• Give two reasons why the Divemaster role is so
  important
• List guidelines for interactions with
• Victims family members
• media
• What materials should a Divemaster have?

19
Assignment

• Read and study the Organization and Planning
  section of the training manual
• Read over and visualize the steps listed in the
  Divemaster Checklist
• Visit the Academy section of the teams website
  (vcsardive.org)