Product Overview

Summary: This Surface Support for Divers Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, step‑by‑step framework for safely planning, controlling and monitoring diving operations from the surface. It helps Australian workplaces manage dive-related risks, coordinate surface and underwater teams, and demonstrate compliance with WHS and commercial diving requirements.

Surface support is the critical safety backbone of any diving operation, whether it is commercial, scientific, aquaculture, construction or inspection work. This SOP provides a structured, repeatable process for managing divers from the surface, covering everything from pre‑dive planning and communications checks to real‑time monitoring, emergency response and post‑dive debriefing. It is designed to integrate smoothly with existing dive plans and workplace WHS systems, giving businesses a practical tool to coordinate personnel, vessels, equipment and environmental conditions in a controlled way.

In the Australian context, where diving work is tightly regulated and often occurs in challenging marine environments, poorly managed surface support can lead to serious incidents, delays, and regulatory scrutiny. This document helps you close that gap. It clarifies roles and responsibilities for surface attendants and supervisors, prescribes minimum equipment and documentation at the surface, and standardises how information is recorded and communicated. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce the likelihood of decompression incidents, lost diver events, equipment failures and miscommunication between the surface and underwater teams, while also producing a clear audit trail to support compliance with WHS legislation and relevant diving standards.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, best‑practice surface management of all diving operations across your organisation.
• Reduce the risk of diver injury or fatality by standardising monitoring, communications and emergency response.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS and commercial diving requirements through clear, documented procedures.
• Improve coordination between dive supervisors, surface attendants, vessel crew and underwater divers.
• Streamline training and onboarding for new surface support personnel with a clear, practical reference document.

Who is this for?

• Dive Supervisors
• Surface Support Personnel
• Commercial Divers
• Marine Operations Managers
• WHS Managers
• Offshore Construction Supervisors
• Harbour Masters and Port Operations Managers
• Emergency Response Coordinators
• Aquaculture Site Managers
• Civil and Marine Engineering Project Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Diver loss of breathing gas supply or umbilical failure
• Decompression sickness and omitted decompression stops
• Barotrauma and pressure‑related injuries
• Entrapment, entanglement or loss of diver location
• Poor or failed surface‑to‑diver communications
• Adverse weather, tides, currents and reduced visibility
• Vessel strikes and propeller hazards near divers
• Thermal stress (hypothermia or heat stress) for divers and surface crew
• Manual handling injuries when managing dive gear and umbilicals
• Psychological stress and fatigue affecting decision‑making at the surface

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and References
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Dive Supervisor, Surface Attendant, Standby Diver, Vessel Master)
• 5.0 Competency, Training and Medical Fitness Requirements
• 6.0 Required Surface Support Equipment and Documentation
• 7.0 Pre‑Dive Planning and Risk Assessment
• 8.0 Site Assessment, Environmental and Vessel Safety Checks
• 9.0 Pre‑Dive Briefing and Communications Protocols
• 10.0 Diver Entry, Descent and Bottom‑Time Control
• 11.0 Continuous Monitoring of Divers (time, depth, gas, conditions)
• 12.0 Umbilical and Lifeline Management
• 13.0 Coordination with Vessel Operations and Other Marine Traffic
• 14.0 Management of Adverse Conditions and Stop‑Work Criteria
• 15.0 Emergency Response Procedures (lost diver, gas failure, entrapment, medical emergency)
• 16.0 Decompression Management and Post‑Dive Health Monitoring
• 17.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Notification
• 18.0 Records, Logs and Documentation Requirements
• 19.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Calibration of Surface Support Equipment
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (Safe Work Australia), including provisions for high risk work and remote or isolated work
• AS/NZS 2299.1: Occupational diving operations – Standard operational practice
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still widely referenced in industry)
• ISO 24801 / ISO 24802 (as guidance where applicable to competence and training of divers and supervisors)
• Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 and associated Marine Orders for vessel operations near divers
• Relevant state and territory WHS Acts and Regulations (e.g. Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld/NSW/ACT/SA/Tas/NT), Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (WA), Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic))
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice (for emergency planning and communication)
• AMSBC or local port authority requirements for diving operations within controlled waters (as applicable)