Page 241 - Manual for Activities directed at the Underwater Cultural Heritage

over low-tide surveys, or include diving that takes place from the shore or from an offshore dive platform. Similar levels of precaution will apply in relation to inland waters. The specific safety requirements will vary with the type of operation and the equipment involved. This section focuses specifically on dive safety.
The project dive plan
Rule 28. A safety policy shall be prepared that is adequate to ensure the safety and health of the project team and third parties and that is in conformity with any applicable statutory and professional requirements.
The part of the safety policy that addresses diving is, in effect, established within the project dive plan, and should be formulated before the start of a project. Regardless of whether the project is an assessment, survey, excavation or monitoring activity, if diving is involved, a project dive plan needs to be in place. The plan will be compiled by the person(s) responsible for dive activities for the project, normally the dive supervisor (see roles and chain of command and qualification of personnel, below).
The project dive plan is a comprehensive document and should include, at the very least, the following sections, which are described below:
- a review of the aims of the project
- activities/working methods that will be under-
taken to achieve these aims
- the logistical aspects of the diving operations
- roles and outline of the chain of command
- necessary documentation and record-keeping
tasks
- the applicable diving legislation that will be
adhered to on the project
- a site-specific risk assessment
- emergency procedures and contacts
As with the project design of any archaeological undertaking, planning is an integral part. In regards
 © AAO. Open bell diving during a research project in the Netherlands North Sea sector. The aims of the project and
its location define the type of diving. Open bell diving from a dynamically positioned vessel
in the open sea calls for other procedures than a shallow project inshore. Nevertheless, the same principles apply and in each case a diving supervisor should take the lead.
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Safety