What is a 'Permit to Dive' and what elements must it contain?

• A. A formal authorization to conduct a dive; includes dive profile, risk assessment, controls, permitted tasks, and emergency procedures.
• B. A permit to bring equipment to site.
• C. A license to operate a boat.
• D. A permit to leave the site early.

Answer: (A)

A Permit to Dive is the formal authorization that a dive may proceed, driven by careful planning and safety measures. It records the agreed plan so everyone involved knows what will be done, what hazards exist, and how they will be controlled.

The key elements it must contain are the dive profile, the risk assessment, the controls, the permitted tasks, and the emergency procedures. The dive profile specifies the planned depth, bottom time, entry and exit points, and any ascent or decompression considerations. The risk assessment identifies hazards such as currents, visibility, entanglement, gas management, equipment failures, and environmental factors, along with the controls in place to mitigate them (engineering and administrative measures, standby personnel, communication methods, and contingency plans). The controls outline what must be in place to proceed safely, including equipment checks, gas plans, redundancies, and clear responsibilities. The permitted tasks define the exact scope of work allowed under the permit and any limitations or exclusions. The emergency procedures provide the action plan for potential incidents, including recall, rescue procedures, communication protocols, and emergency contacts.

This combination ensures the dive is intentionally planned, hazards are managed, and everyone understands what is allowed and how to respond if something goes wrong. The other options describe unrelated permits and do not capture the purpose or required content of a Dive Permit.