Help improve diver training — 4-minute anonymous survey (student research)

[ImpotentSeaSnake]

LOL singling out young females as being a problem (are we talking driving or diving here?).

lolz

 

[Edward3c]

Can you be specific? What is the legal limit there?

See the regulations here, it’s past of the written risk assessment.

 

[Knauf]

This situation highlights a problem of communication and trust between the two sides:


From the agencies’ perspective, these courses are essential for maintaining safety standards, reducing accidents, and ensuring that divers keep their skills up to date.


From the divers’ perspective, especially those who are experienced or self-taught, the constant emphasis on paid certifications appears more commercial than educational.


In short, the example reflects a tension between institutional safety frameworks and community independence — between formal regulation and personal experience.
To overcome this, agencies must work to demonstrate the genuine educational value of their courses, not merely their commercial aspect.

 

[Knauf]

To resolve the tension between legal authorities and the professional diving community, it is essential to bridge the knowledge gap between the two sides through clear institutional measures.


There must be close integration between technical and legal expertise. Judicial and regulatory bodies should rely on internationally certified diving experts when interpreting or drafting diving-related laws, since judges and lawmakers do not necessarily possess the technical understanding held by professional instructors or divers.


The legal frameworks themselves should be updated in line with international diving standards set by organizations such as PADI, SSI, CMAS, IANTD, and TDI, rather than depending on local interpretations that may be inaccurate or outdated.


Ongoing training and awareness programs for police, coast guards, and judicial personnel about diving procedures, training limits, and risk factors can help prevent unfair or uninformed decisions.


Promoting constructive dialogue between governmental authorities and diving agencies through joint forums can further clarify technical concepts—such as depth limits, technical diving practices, and personal responsibility—thereby building trust and reducing misunderstandings.


Finally, adopting a preventive rather than punitive approach is crucial. Instead of penalizing divers based on flawed legal interpretations, the focus should be on prevention, education, and continuous training to ensure collective safety.


In conclusion:
The solution lies not only in revising laws but in creating a shared understanding between legal professionals and diving experts, grounded in knowledge, experience, and institutional cooperation. This approach allows the international diving community to maintain both its safety and credibility, while enabling governments to apply regulations fairly and objectively.

 

[Edward3c]

Many BSAC clubs run optional refresher sessions in April when at the start of the U.K. dives season. Where rescue and DSMB skills are practiced.

When I joined on overseas BSAC club for one of their holiday trips, I encouraged them to practice deploying their DSMBs on the first day. It turned out many hadn’t practiced for a few years, relying on dive guides.

 

[Knauf]

That’s a really good point. Regular DSMB practice is so important, especially after a long surface interval or when diving abroad where conditions and procedures can be different.
Many divers do tend to rely too much on guides, and you only realize how rusty your skills are when you actually need them!
It’s great that you encouraged the group to refresh their deployment — it’s one of those simple things that can make a big difference in safety and confidence.

 

[boulderjohn]

See the regulations here, it’s past of the written risk assessment.

I was unable to find the part with the specific depth limits. I found only this on page 15:

(5) Guided dives which require specific qualifications, such as nightdiving, wreck diving, may only be carried out if each individual client has the appropriate qualifications, including speciality certification or equivalent logged experience or when an instructor with the appropriate qualifications or experience is responsible for the dive and for leading it underwater​

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Could you please point me to the specific location of those limits?

 

[Edward3c]

I was unable to find the part with the specific depth limits. I found only this on page 15:

(5) Guided dives which require specific qualifications, such as nightdiving, wreck diving, may only be carried out if each individual client has the appropriate qualifications, including speciality certification or equivalent logged experience or when an instructor with the appropriate qualifications or experience is responsible for the dive and for leading it underwater​

​

Could you please point me to the specific location of those limits?

The way the Maltese do it, once you've been charged you have to prove you're innocent. As BSAC is in partnership with the Maltese Tourist Authority, they know BSAC qualifications have a maximum depth limit over which our insurance will not apply (unless rescuing someone). The prosecutors will apply the same logic for other agencies. The world of legislation is never straight forward.

20m = Ocean Diver
40m = Sports Diver (following post depth progression dives with an instructor)
50m = Dive Leader (following post depth progression dives with an instructor or experience Dive Leader)
50m = Advanced Diver (following post depth progression dives with an instructor or experience Dive Leader)

These are independent of an instructor qualification, for example if an instructor hasn't logged the depth progression dives beyond 40m then that is their limit.

 

[boulderjohn]

The prosecutors will apply the same logic for other agencies. The world of legislation is never straight forward.

Perhaps I am a poor reader, but what I got from this is that they do not publish any depth limits for divers, but they will prosecute you if you have an incident while violating those secret limits.

 

[tursiops]

Perhaps I am a poor reader, but what I got from this is that they do not publish any depth limits for divers, but they will prosecute you if you have an incident while violating those secret limits.

I've been to Malta three times, many years ago, not for diving....although my first OW dive (trained but not certified) was in a canal just off the apartment we were in. It does not sound like a very good diving location, given the many issues with Maltese authorities.