Rick.... good post dude....but I think you are confusing 'Safety divers' for what you are describing which are 'Support divers'....2 separate team members in most organized dive expeditions.
Some general guidelines/basics as recommended---copied from my notes:
*Deep Safety Divers – [Sub 130 feet to 200 feet]
Certification - Trimix (GUE Tech 2 or TDI Trimix or NAUI Trimix I)
Rescue, CPR, DAN O2 and First Aid Certifications
Recommended Cave Training/Overhead Environment
Skill Proficiency -
1) Demonstrate mastery of the Technical Skills requirement
2) Demonstrate mastery of the Pre Dive Safety Check
3) Demonstrate mastery of the Fundamental Skills requirement
Insurance – Dan Preferred
Must log 15 dives within the past 12 months at this level
Must log 75 total dives within the past 12 months – any level.
Must support a training class to these diving levels bi-annually.
**Shallow Safety Divers – [To 130 feet – No-Stop Profiles]
Certification - Nitrox (GUE Tech 1 or ANDI Nitrox 2 or NAUI TechEANX)
Rescue, CPR, DAN O2 and First Aid Certifications
Skill Proficiency -
1) Demonstrate ability in the Technical Skills requirement
2) Demonstrate mastery of the Pre Dive Safety Check
3) Demonstrate mastery of the Fundamental Skills requirement
Insurance – Dan Standard
Must log 10 dives within the past 12 months at this level
Must log 50 total dives within the past 12 months – any level.
Must support a training class to these diving levels bi-annually.
***Support Divers – [To 50 feet – No-Stop Profiles]
Certification – Advanced Diver, Nitrox and Rescue
CPR, DAN O2 and First Aid Certifications
Skill Proficiency -
1) Demonstrate mastery of the Pre Dive Safety Check
2) Demonstrate mastery of the Fundamental Skills requirement
Insurance – Dan Standard
Must log 10 dives within the past 12 months at this level
Must log 50 total dives within the past 12 months – any level.
Must support a training class to these diving levels bi-annually.
++Thought this might be of interest to you on your dive group as a road map of ideas...