Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304)

18.59 A reserve breathing supply appropriate for the dive shall be carried by each diver.

18.60 Every employer shall ensure that nonreturn valves are

• (a) fitted to all diving helmets and surface supply diving masks; and

• (b) checked daily before the commencement of diving operations in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

18.61 Every employer shall ensure that every life support umbilical incorporates a lifeline rigged to prevent stress on the air line.

18.62 Every employer shall ensure that, in a liveboating operation,

• (a) a method that will prevent the lifeline or life support umbilical from becoming entangled in the propellers is used;

• (b) the diver’s tender is a qualified person for the type of tending used; and

• (c) the vessel operator is a qualified person.

Type 2 Scuba Diving

18.63 Sections 18.64 to 18.67 apply to type 2 dives in the course of which divers use scuba.

18.64 In a diving operation where the diver is tethered to the surface by a lifeline or float, there shall be at least three persons present at the dive site, of whom

• (a) one is a standby diver; and

• (b) one is a diver’s tender.

18.65 In a diving operation where the diver is not tethered to the surface by a lifeline or float, there shall be a through-water, two-way voice communication system between the divers and between the divers and the surface, and at least four persons present at the dive site, of whom

• (a) three are divers, one of whom is a standby diver; and

• (b) one is a diver’s tender.

18.66 One of the employees on the surface shall be designated as the dive supervisor of the scuba diving operation.

• 18.67 (1) Subject to subsection (2), dives shall be limited to a depth not exceeding 40 m.

• (2) A diver may dive to a depth greater than 40 m for the purpose of saving a life provided that, where conditions permit, the diver is

  • (a) secured by a lifeline; and

  • (b) tended by a diver’s tender.