Safety
| SAFETY INITIATIVES | | SAFETY LINKS | | MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION |
The primary mission of the Ontario Underwater Council is to promote safety to the dive community. The OUC has implemented several initiatives to do this.
They are:
Aviva Barth Memorial Project (ABMP)
This project is to promote Boater Awareness of the two dive flags and what boaters should do when they see these flags.
On January 13, 2007, OUC kicked off its first initiative with the delivery of a Boater/Dive Flag Awareness flyer to four booths at the Toronto International Boat Show, in an effort to raise awareness of the dive flags within the boating communities.
Our message was embraced wholeheartedly and the offers to assist were quite encouraging. A number of people we talked to were also scuba divers and were very appreciative of the message being delivered.
You can see some of our initiatives here:
Aviva Barth Memorial Project Presentation (Powerpoint)
Aviva Barth Memorial Project Working Document (Word)
ABMP Boater / Dive Flag Awareness Flyer (PDF)
Scuba Incident Reporting
This initiative is to provide a report on SCUBA incidents within 72 hours of an incident being reported to the OUC.
To see these reports please use this link: 72 hr Ontario Scuba Incident Reports.
CritiCall Ontario Access
CritiCall is a hospital-based referral program for physicians who are treating seriously or critically ill patients, however, the Program makes exceptions for scuba-diving related emergencies.
In the Province of Ontario, scuba-diving emergencies (only) may be referred to the Ontario CritiCall Program at 1-800-668-4357.
Diver access to this program is negotiated by the OUC.
Scuba Diver Safety Awareness Program (SDSAP)
This initiative is to reduce the number of fatalities which occur at Fathom Five National Underwater Marine Park. The program involves updated registration forms, shipwreck information and classification and others information.
You can review the OUC Documents on the SDSAP program here: Powerpoint Presentation - Fathom Five.
Vessel Inspection Program
This initiative is to inspect and report on the condition of vessels planned to be scuttled in Ontario waters. Under the authority of the Ontario Government, the OUC is the body sanctioned to perform this service. The report provides recommendations to the parties within the following guidelines.
- Diver Safety
- Diver Enjoyment
You can review the OUC Vessel Inspection Documents here:
Canadian Air Purity Inspection Program
This initiative helps to ensure that Scuba divers have safe compressed breathing air supplies.
Please see the Air Testing page for details.
SAFETY LINKS
The OUC also publishes links to other organizations which have safety related information available for divers.
World Recreational SCUBA Training Council
The WRSTC sets the minimum standards for Recreational Scuba Diving / Training.
Some of the available links are:
Minimum Training Standards for
| Divemaster | Recreational Dive Supervision Certification |
| Assistant Instructor | Recreational Assistant SCUBA Instructor Certification |
| Instructor | Recreational SCUBA Instructor Certification |
Divers Alert Network
DAN provides useful information on many aspects of diving as well as providing insurance to divers.
You can get more information on DAN online seminars, publications, insurance and courses below.
Divers Alert Network: www.diversalertnetwork.org
- 24-Hour Diving Emergency Hotline
- DAN's Medical Information Line
- DAN Dive Medical Research
- Recompression Chamber Assistance Program
- Training, Safety, & Educational Programs
- 24-Hour DAN TravelAssist
- Alert Diver, DAN's Award-Winning Magazine
- Report on DCI, Diving Fatalities, and PDE
- The DAN Dive and Travel Medical Guide
- And Much Much More!
DAN Online Seminars
- Diabetes & Recreational Diving: History and New Guidelines
- Inert Gas Exchange, Bubbles, and Decompression Theory
- Pathophysiology of Decompression Illness
- Ears and Diving Seminar
DAN’s Mission Statement
Divers Alert Network (DAN), a non-profit organization, exists to provide expert information and advice for the benefit of the diving public. DAN's historical and primary function is to provide emergency medical advice and assistance for underwater diving injuries, to work to prevent injuries and to promote diving safety. Second, DAN promotes and supports underwater diving research and education particularly as it relates to the improvement of diving safety, medical treatment and first aid. Third, DAN strives to provide the most accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information on issues of common concern to the diving public, primarily, but not exclusively, for diving safety.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Planning to take an online scuba course?
Please ensure that any online SCUBA course is affiliated with a recognized agency.
Click here to read the WRSTC’s stand on online courses.
Diving in Quebec ?
FAQS ON BY-LAWS RESPECTING QUALIFICATIONS IN RECREATIONAL UNDERWATER DIVING
Download a copy in English here.
Téléchargez une copie en français ici.