Profession rescue diver

Rescue divers are divers that manage underwater emergencies. They prevent and manage problems underwater, handle dive emergencies and operate rescue equipment. Rescue divers manage diving operations in seas or waterways. They work under demanding physical conditions to rescue and retrieve people or objects.

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Personality Type

• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Diving vessels systems

  The characteristics, functioning and way of working with dynamic positioning systems, construction barges and dive support vessels.

• Diving equipment

  Equipment used for a dive, including wetsuits and drysuits, helmets, scuba equipment and any umbilical equipment which provides the connection with the surface.

• First aid

  The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.

• Diving operation requirements

  The operational plan and the contingency plan for the diving operation, the diving equipment to be used in the diving operation, the diving signals to be used in the diving operation, the in-water decompression procedures to be used in the diving operation, and any emergency procedures that might have to be used in the diving operation.

• Crisis intervention

  Coping strategies in crisis cases which allow individuals to overcome their problems or fears and avoid psychological distress and breakdown.

Skills

• Maintain diving equipment

  Perform maintenance actions, including small repairs, on diving equipment.

• Assist in maritime rescue operations

  Provide assistance during maritime rescue operations.

• Dive with scuba equipment

  Use scuba equipment to dive without air supply from the surface.

• Coordinate rescue missions

  Coordinate rescue missions during the event of a disaster or during an accident, ensure that all possible methods are being used to ensure the safety of the people being rescued, and that the search is as efficient and thorough as possible.

• Apply crisis management

  Take control over plans and strategies in critical circumstances showing empathy and understanding to achieve resolution.

• Ensure health and safety of dive teams

  Monitor the safety of the dive teams. Ensure that the operation is carried out from a safe, suitable location as per diving operation manual. When necessary, decide whether it is safe to proceed with the dive.

• Provide first aid

  Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.

• Comply with the planned time for the depth of the dive

  Ensure that a diver returns from a given depth after the planned time limit has expired.

• Handle stressful situations

  Deal with and manage highly stressful situations in the workplace by following adequate procedures, communicating in a quiet and effective manner, and remaining level-headed when taking decisions.

• Perform diving interventions

  Perform hyperbaric interventions at a maximum pressure of 4 atmospheres. Prepare and review the personal equipment and the auxiliary material; perform and supervise the dive; realise maintenance of the diving equipment and auxiliary material; apply the security measures to assure the divers security on the realisation of low deep immersions.

• Interrupt diving operations when necessary

  Terminate or interrupt the diving operation if continuing the operation is likely to endanger the health or safety of any person involved.

• Implement dive plans

  Implement dive plans, working with the client, vessel teams and marine superintendents.

• Perform search and rescue missions

  Assist in fighting natural and civic disasters, such as forest fires, floods and road accidents. Conduct search-and-rescue missions.

• Display warnings around dive site

  Ensure that warning devices are displayed in the area around a dive site, so as to keep it clear of any equipment other than that associated with the diving operation.

• Check diving equipment

  Check diving equipment for valid certification to ensure its suitability. Ensure that any diving equipment is examined by a competent person before use, at least once on each day on which it is to be used. Ensure that it is adequately tested and repaired.

• Comply with legal requirements for diving operations

  Ensure that diving operations comply with legal requirements.

• React calmly in stressful situations

  React quickly, calmly, and safely to unexpected situations. Provide a solution that solves the problem or diminishes its impact.

• Tolerate stress

  Maintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.

• Ensure diving operations conform with plan

  Ensure that the dive adheres to the operational plan and the contingency plan.

• Deal with pressure from unexpected circumstances

  Strive to achieve objectives despite the pressures arising from unexpected factors outside of your control.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB