Which documents must be prepared and approved before any dive begins, outlining dive profile, hazards, controls, and emergency procedures?

• A. The Dive Plan and Permit to Dive (often integrated with a Job Safety Analysis).
• B. An Equipment Maintenance Schedule.
• C. Daily Weather Brief.
• D. Post-Dive Report Template.

Answer: (A)

Before any dive begins, you need a formal plan and official authorization that lay out exactly what will be done, what hazards are expected, and how they will be controlled. The Dive Plan details the dive profile—target depth, bottom time, ascent and descent rates, gas plan, and contingencies. It also lists the hazards you anticipate in that environment and the controls you’ll implement, including roles, communications, equipment checks, buddy procedures, and surface support, plus the specific emergency procedures and rescue actions. The Permit to Dive, often integrated with a Job Safety Analysis, provides the official approval from the supervisor or client, confirming that the risks have been identified and mitigations are in place, conditions meet requirements, and everyone understands their responsibilities. Together, they create the legally and operationally needed pre-dive framework.

Other documents like an Equipment Maintenance Schedule, a Daily Weather Brief, or a Post-Dive Report are important for overall safety and operations, but they do not substitute for the formal, pre-dive planning and authorization that outlines the dive profile, hazards, controls, and emergency procedures.