Product Overview

Summary: This Underwater Communication Techniques SOP sets out clear, standardised methods for divers and surface teams to exchange critical information safely and reliably below the waterline. It supports WHS compliance by reducing misunderstandings, preventing incidents, and ensuring that every diver, tender and supervisor is working from the same communication playbook.

Effective underwater communication is a critical control measure in any diving operation, directly influencing response times, situational awareness and the ability to prevent or manage emergencies. In Australian conditions—often involving low visibility, strong currents, vessel traffic and remote locations—the risk of miscommunication can quickly escalate into serious incidents, including lost divers, uncontrolled ascents, entanglement, or failure to respond to early signs of distress. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, WHS-aligned framework for how divers and surface teams communicate using hand signals, line-pull codes, full-face mask communications, slates and contingency methods.

The document clearly defines standard signals, communication protocols, call-and-response expectations, and escalation steps for abnormal situations such as gas supply issues, entrapment, medical distress or environmental hazards. It also sets out how communication equipment must be checked, tested, used and documented before, during and after dives. By implementing this SOP, organisations can embed consistent communication practices across teams, strengthen their dive safety management system, and demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS legislation and relevant diving standards. This reduces reliance on informal or ad-hoc signals and ensures that new and existing personnel are trained against a single, authoritative reference.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of dive-related incidents arising from miscommunication, delayed responses or unclear instructions.
• Ensure consistent, standardised underwater signals and protocols across all divers, tenders and supervisors.
• Strengthen compliance with Australian WHS duties for high-risk diving work and improve audit readiness.
• Improve emergency response capability through clearly defined distress signals, escalation pathways and surface coordination.
• Support efficient onboarding and competency assessment of new dive personnel with a clear communication framework.

Who is this for?

• Commercial Divers
• Scientific Divers
• Public Safety and Rescue Divers
• Dive Supervisors
• Dive Tenders and Surface Attendants
• Marine Construction Supervisors
• WHS Managers in Marine and Diving Operations
• Emergency Response Coordinators
• Defence and Police Dive Team Leaders
• Aquaculture Operations Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Loss of diver orientation or separation from buddy or umbilical support
• Delayed response to diver distress, gas supply issues or medical emergencies
• Uncontrolled or rapid ascents due to misunderstood instructions
• Entrapment or entanglement incidents not being communicated effectively to the surface
• Collisions with vessels, structures or other divers due to poor situational communication
• Equipment failure (e.g. comms systems, umbilicals) not being reported and managed promptly
• Panic or anxiety underwater exacerbated by inability to communicate needs clearly

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Application
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (Signals, Roles, Equipment)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Divers, Tenders, Supervisors, WHS Personnel)
• 4.0 Pre-Dive Planning and Communication Briefing Requirements
• 5.0 Communication Equipment Requirements and Pre-Use Checks
• 6.0 Standard Underwater Hand Signals and Light Signals
• 7.0 Line-Pull and Umbilical Communication Codes
• 8.0 Voice Communication Protocols for Full-Face Mask and Hard-Wired Systems
• 9.0 Communication Procedures During Normal Operations
• 10.0 Abnormal and Emergency Signal Protocols (Distress, Lost Diver, Gas Issues)
• 11.0 Environmental and Site-Specific Communication Considerations (Low Visibility, Current, Noise)
• 12.0 Documentation, Recordkeeping and Dive Log Requirements
• 13.0 Training, Competency and Refresher Requirements
• 14.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Testing of Communication Equipment
• 15.0 Incident Reporting, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations – Part 4.8 Diving Work (Safe Work Australia)
• AS/NZS 2299.1: Occupational diving operations – Standard operational practice
• AS/NZS 2299.2: Occupational diving operations – Scientific diving
• AS/NZS 2299.3: Occupational diving operations – Recreational industry diving and snorkelling operations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace (for communication equipment and dive support systems)
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS legislation