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DAN Diving Operations Safety Training

Mitigate risks for a safer dive operation

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The Diving Operations Safety Training was created by Divers Alert Network (DAN) and is built on decades of research, knowledge, and first-hand experience. It is for dive operations (dive shops, resorts, dive teams, aquariums, zoos, etc.) and dive professionals who want to elevate their dive safety knowledge and build a culture of safety in their operations. It teaches operators and professionals how to identify and assist in mitigating technical and operational risks across the range of dive-related activities.

What does the training include?

This is a 40-hour course covering 23 important topics. It includes Virtual Academic Training and On-Site Training. Training topics include basic fire awareness, oxygen cleaning, Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA), recompression chambers, emergency action plans, right of refusal, sustainable business practices, ecological aspects, and much more.

The training will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to:

  • Implement and oversee safety protocols for diving operations
  • Conduct hazard identifications and risk assessments quantitatively
  • Provide guidance and support to divers and dive teams
  • Ensure compliance with industry regulations and best practices

After completing this training, students may seek out opportunities to be appointed as a Safety Officer or Safety Coordinator for a recreational diving operation or business.

Where is the course available?

You can choose to take the course at your location or travel to Diventures!

We offer this course each quarter at one of our Diventures locations. The cost is $1,000 per participant, plus your travel expenses. 

Our pricing for courses we travel to is based on North American or Caribbean destinations. We charge a flat fee of $4,500 for up to 8 participants. Please inquire for pricing in other markets.

 

Build a safer industry

The Diving Operation Safety Training offers comprehensive virtual training and hands-on practical exercises and real-world scenario simulations to make you, your operation, and our industry safer.

Get expert instruction from a seasoned professional in the diving industry. Enroll in a class using the link below.

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Who teaches the course?

Claude Smith, an SSI Instructor Certifier and Platinum Pro 5000 Instructor, leads the Diving Operations Safety Training for Diventures. Smith’s extensive industry experience spans decades in varied dive operations, including retail facilities, charter boat operations, and international travel destinations, as well as leading hundreds of bus trips to the Florida Keys with Diventures. Smith is also a DAN Instructor Trainer and PSI-PCI Instructor.

Reasons to take DOST

Choose an organization type below to see the benefits of having a Dive Safety Officer.

A dive shop should have a Dive Safety Officer (DSO) because they are responsible for overseeing all aspects of diving safety within the shop: ensuring compliance with regulations, identifying and mitigating potential risks, and promoting a culture of safety among staff and customers, ultimately minimizing the chance of diving accidents and protecting the business from liability.  

Key reasons why a dive shop needs a DSO: 

  • Risk Management: DSOs are trained to identify potential hazards associated with diving operations, assess risks, and implement preventative measures to minimize accidents. Also, it is vital to identify hazards and assess risks and understand, through quantitative measures, what needs to be corrected.
  • Compliance with Regulations: They ensure the dive shop adheres to all local, national, and international diving safety standards and regulations. 
  • Equipment Maintenance: DSOs oversee the proper maintenance and inspection of all diving equipment, ensuring it is in safe working order.
  • Dive Planning and Briefing: They review dive plans, conduct thorough pre-dive briefings, and monitor dive profiles to ensure safe diving practices.
  • Incident Response: In case of an emergency, the DSO is responsible for coordinating a swift and effective response, including activating emergency action plans.
  • Staff Training: DSOs can provide ongoing safety training to dive instructors and other staff members to maintain high safety standards. 
  • Liability Protection: Having a designated DSO demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, which can help mitigate legal liability in the event of an accident. 

An aquarium should have someone in charge of safety for all divers who need to enter the tank for maintenance, cleaning, or animal care. The Dive Safety Officer oversees all diving operations, enforcing safety protocols, managing diver certifications, and responding to potential emergencies underwater, ultimately protecting both the divers and the aquatic animals within the aquarium. 

Key reasons why aquariums and zoos need a DSO: 

  • Safety Expertise: Highly trained professional with specialized knowledge in underwater safety procedures, capable of identifying and mitigating potential risks during dives.
  • Compliance with Regulations: They ensure the aquarium adheres to all relevant diving safety regulations and industry standards, including proper equipment maintenance and diver qualifications.
  • Incident Response: In case of an emergency underwater, they are responsible for coordinating a swift and effective response, potentially saving lives.
  • Diver Training and Oversight: They monitor and manage the training and certification levels of all aquarium divers, ensuring they are qualified for the tasks required.
  • Risk Assessment: Conducts thorough risk assessments before each dive, identifying potential hazards and implementing preventative measures.
  • Dive Planning: They are responsible for creating detailed dive plans, including contingency measures, for every underwater operation. 

A university should have a Dive Safety Officer to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff participating in underwater research or educational diving activities. The Dive Safety Officer oversees all aspects of diving operations, including training, equipment maintenance, dive planning, emergency procedures, and compliance with relevant regulations, minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries in aquatic environments.  

Key reasons why universities needs a DSO: 

  • Expert knowledge and oversight: A dedicated officer with advanced diving certifications and experience can assess risks, implement proper diving techniques, and make informed decisions during dives, especially in complex research scenarios.  
  • Training and certification: They can conduct comprehensive diving training programs for university divers, ensuring proper skills and knowledge to safely perform underwater activities. 
  • Equipment maintenance and inspection: The officer can manage the inspection, maintenance, and repair of all diving equipment, ensuring it is in proper working order and safe for use. 
  • Dive plan review and approval: They can review and approve dive plans, considering factors like weather conditions, dive site characteristics, and research objectives to mitigate potential hazards. 
  • Emergency response: In case of diving emergencies, the officer can lead response efforts, coordinating rescue operations and ensuring appropriate medical care is provided and the facility has the appropriate emergency action plans. 
  • Risk management: By proactively identifying and addressing potential risks associated with diving, the officer can minimize the likelihood of accidents and injuries. 

Interested in learning more?

Share your information and we’ll reach out and coordinate an introductory call to learn more about the safety needs of your dive shop or organization.

You can also reach us directly at [email protected].

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Created by DAN and “Powered by Diventures”

Diventures and DAN created a professional training partnership to bring this training to dive operators and professionals worldwide. “By collaborating with Diventures, we will be able to reach more dive operators,” says Francois Burman, Vice President of Safety Services at DAN and original creator of the course. “DAN’s vision is to make every dive accident- and injury-free. Diventures’ commitment to safety and their broad footprint will help make this vision a reality.”

“At Diventures, safety is our number one priority. Our dive professionals, trip leaders, and store operators have always found enormous value in DAN’s courses, and we know they make our industry safer,” says Dean Hollis, founder of Diventures. “We’re thrilled to deploy our talented team and resources to expand the availability of DAN training.”