What should be included in an emergency action plan for diving operations?

An emergency action plan for diving operations must include procedures for evacuating injured divers because effective response and evacuation protocols are crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of all divers in the event of an emergency. Such procedures provide a clear framework for team members to follow, ensuring that injured divers receive immediate care and are transported efficiently to a medical facility. This aspect of the plan addresses critical factors such as communication pathways, roles and responsibilities, and the specifics of how to conduct a safe evacuation, which could involve both surface and underwater protocols.

While team members' scuba qualifications, weather monitoring procedures, and equipment maintenance schedules are essential components of overall diving safety and operational readiness, they do not directly address the immediate response needed during an emergency situation. Each of these additional factors contributes to a safer diving environment but does not provide the critical, actionable steps that an emergency situation requires.