Safe Diving Resources
TACL provides guidance to support safe diving practice within the Tasmanian abalone industry.
The Guide to Safe Diving Practice provides practical guidance on managing health and safety risks associated with abalone diving and meeting Tasmanian work health and safety requirements.
For abalone divers and operators
The guide is intended to support participants in the Tasmanian abalone industry with safe operating practices for divers, supervisors, deckhands and dive businesses.
How to use this page
Use this page as a practical entry point to the full Diver Guide, dive planning templates, dive log requirements and key safety topics relevant to abalone diving operations.
Safe diving focus areas
Plan the dive
Dive plans should cover the method of work, equipment, breathing gases, duties, decompression schedules, emergency procedures, hazards, control measures and post-dive procedures.
Confirm fitness and competence
Divers, supervisors and other personnel need the appropriate skills, training, instruction and supervision for the diving work being undertaken.
Manage the dive team
Deckhands and tenders play a practical safety role by keeping watch, managing hoses, assisting entry and exit, communicating with the diver and monitoring diving plant and equipment.
Check equipment and breathing gas
Equipment should be selected, inspected, maintained and checked before diving, including emergency equipment and emergency breathing gas supply.
Prepare for emergencies
Emergency planning should cover first aid, rescue, evacuation, emergency communications, recompression arrangements, testing, training and review.
Record and review
Dive plans, risk assessments and dive safety logs support compliance, incident review and ongoing improvement of safe diving operations.
Explore research and development, reports, safe diving resources and useful industry resources.
