1 | General Rules |
1.1 | Safety protocols for competitions and
records events are to be observed at all CAFA regional and national
competitions and/or record events sanctioned and judged by CAFA.
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1.2 | Although not sanctioned by CAFA, it is
highly recommended that all interclub competition and/or records be
governed under the same protocols. |
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2 | General Protocols |
2.1 | Safety and First Aid Equipment |
2.1.1 | Safety and First Aid Equipment on
site shall include, but not be limited to the following:
- DAN oxygen unit or similar system
- First aid kit
- Spine-board
- Emergency communication device
such a cellular-phone, VHF, etc
- Emergency procedure plan
- Emergency evacuation vehicle
(boat, car, ambulance, etc)
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2.2 | General Safety Precautions |
2.2.1 | Notification of the hyperbaric
chamber of the event for depth events |
2.2.2 | Notification of the nearest
ambulance dispatch of the event |
2.2.3 | All equipment is reviewed and
checked for operation and suitability for event area |
2.2.4 | A general briefing of safety
procedures is undertaken with all support/safety staff on event day |
2.2.5 | An up-to-date emergency procedure
plan is present and appropriate for event area |
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2.3 | Safety Personnel |
2.3.1 | In the event area, the following
specific safety personnel shall be on-site:
- Two medical persons of which one
will be the Safety Supervisor, both with the following current
certifications within 2 years:
- One medical person shall have an
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or equivalent status or higher
- Basic CPR and first aid or
higher
- DAN Oxygen Provider or
equivalent
- Diving Supervisor for depth
competitions / records with the following current certifications:
- Recreational and/or technical
Divemaster or higher based on diving requirements and
knowledgeable with the safety protocols and requirements of the
diving environment
- Basic CPR and first aid
- DAN Oxygen Provider or equivalent
- CAFA Freediving Safety/Support Orientation
- Safety scuba divers for depth
competitions with the following current certification:
- Preferably Rescue Diver or
higher scuba certification in current status for recreational
depths no deeper than 40m
- Technical diving qualifications
appropriate for the depths required deeper than 40m or requiring
decompression
- CAFA Freediving Safety/Support
Orientation
- Safety freedivers with the
following current certifications:
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2.4 | Job Description for the Safety Personnel |
2.4.1 | Safety Supervisor / Medical Personnel
- In charge of the overall
organization and safety of the waterside area
- Insure necessary safety/first
aid equipment is present, working and in standby condition
- Have appropriate communication
and emergency procedure plan
- Insure the activation and
response of the Emergency Management System (EMS) in the event of
an emergency
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2.4.2 | Diving Supervisor
- Insure the safety and
coordination of the scuba and freediving safety personnel
- Maintain safety and proper
working order of diving safety equipment such as:
- Emergency decompression and/or
safety bottles
- Hang or decompression lines
- Able to assist in any in-water
scuba or freediver emergency
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2.4.3 | Safety Scuba Divers
- Provide a level of
safety/support and judging for the competition and the competitors
- Act as a buddy to in-water
video/camera crew and other safety divers in the water
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2.4.4 | Safety Freedivers
- Provide a level of
safety/support and judging for the competition and the competitors
in the shallow ascent zone between 20m to the surface
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3 | Time Competitions/Records |
3.1 | Disciplines of time competitions
include the following:
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3.2 | Areas of time competition include
- Warm-up area
- Standby zone
- Competition zone
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3.3 | Supervision |
3.3.1 | Warm-up Area |
3.3.1.1 | Each warm-up area will be
supervised by at least one safety freediver per six competitors |
3.3.1.2 | In addition competitors warming
up should have an assistant/coach to supervise any wet
breath-holds of substantial duration |
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3.3.2 | Stand-by Zone |
3.3.2.1 | Competitors are supervised by
the warm-up area safety freediver |
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3.3.3 | Competition Zone |
3.3.3.1 | Each athlete performing in the
competition zone will be supervised by one safety freediver |
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3.4 | Safety Signals |
3.4.1 | Safety signals will be determined
by the safety from the competitor |
3.4.2 | Signals must be deemed clear and
distinguishable or a suitable signal must be agreed upon |
3.4.3 | Judges have the overall voice
concerning safety signals |
3.4.4 | Safety signals are as follows:
- One minute before the announced
performance (AP) a signal will be given every 30 seconds by the
safety and an distinct "OK" signal returned
- Upon reaching the announced
performance signals will now be given and returned every 15
seconds
- Anytime a return signal isn't
recognized, immediately a 2nd signal will be given
- If the 2nd signal
isn't returned or recognized then the performance will be
stopped and assistance given if appropriate
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4 | Distance Competitions/Records |
4.1 | Disciplines of dynamic
competitions/records include the following:
- Dynamic Apnea
- Dynamic Apnea w/o fins
(freehands)
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4.2 | Areas of time competition include:
- Warm-up area
- Standby zone
- Competition zone
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4.3 | Supervision |
4.3.1 | Warm-up Area |
4.3.1.1 | Each warm-up area will be
supervised by at least one safety freediver per six competitors |
4.3.1.2 | In addition competitors warming
up should have an assistant/coach to supervise any wet
breath-holds of substantial duration / distance |
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4.3.2 | Stand-by Zone |
4.3.2.1 | Competitors are supervised by
the warm-up area safety freediver |
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4.3.3 | Competition Zone |
4.3.3.1 | Each athlete performing in the
competition zone will be supervised by two safety freedivers |
4.3.3.1 | Each safety freediver will have
a float for the competitor to rest upon and also act as support
for safety |
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4.4 | Safety |
4.4.1 | Due to the speed of dynamic
apnea, two safety freedivers will follow the athlete above and to
the side, but not to obscure the judges view |
4.4.2 | Safety freedivers should be ready
to divide the competition area into a manageable section taking
into account the speed of dynamic apnea |
4.4.3 | Kick style, speed, body position,
bubble release will be ready signs for interdiction |
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5 | Depth Competitions/Records |
5.1 | Disciplines of dynamic
competitions/records include the following:
- Constant Ballast
- Constant Ballast w/o fins
- Variable Ballast
- Variable Ballast Absolute
- Free Immersion
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5.2 | Areas of time competition include:
- Warm-up area
- Standby zone
- Competition zone
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5.3 | Supervision |
5.3.1 | Warm-up Area |
5.3.1.1 | Each warm-up area will be
supervised by at least one safety freediver / scubadiver per four
competitors |
5.3.1.2 | Each warm-up area will be
supervised by at least one safety scuba diver a depth of 10-20
meters per 10 freedivers |
5.3.1.3 | In addition competitors warming
up should have an assistant/coach to supervise any wet
breath-holds of substantial duration/depth |
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5.3.2 | Stand-by Zone |
5.3.2.1 | Competitors are supervised by a
stand-by zone safety freediver |
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5.3.3 | Competition Zone |
5.3.3.1 | Each athlete performing in the
competition zone will be supervised by two safety freedivers
meeting them upon ascent at 15m and 10m to the surface |
5.3.3.2 | Each athlete in the competition
zone will be supervised by the following safety scuba divers:
- Safety scuba divers will start
at a maximum of 30m depth and the vertical spacing between them
will be no more than 20m
- Spacing between safety scuba
divers will be such that a competitor will be within visual
contact of at least one safety scuba or freediver throughout the
dive
- A lanyard system will be used
if continuous visual contact cannot be maintained
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5.4 | Safety |
5.4.1 | Safety divers must act as depth
markers, judges and safety for competitors |
5.4.2 | If an athlete should require the
assistance of a safety scuba diver, the athlete is now a scuba
diver and under the control of the safety scuba diver |
5.4.3 | At no time, should an athlete
breath off compressed gas, will they be allowed to ascend
independently and without continuous breathing off the scuba unit |
5.4.4 | Appropriate safety stops will be
followed and the athlete may be passed to shallower safety scuba
divers if appropriate |
5.4.5 | A float will be provided for the
competitor to rest upon and also will act as support for safety |