| 1 |
General Rules
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| 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. |
| 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
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General Protocols
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2.1
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Safety and First Aid Equipment
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| 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
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General Safety Precautions
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| 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
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Safety Personnel
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| 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:
- CAFA Freediving Safety/Support Orientation with endorsement applicable to event
- Preferably having current CPR and first aid and DAN Oxygen Administration
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2.4
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Job Description for the Safety Personnel
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2.4.1
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Time Competitions/Records
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| 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
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Supervision
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3.3.1
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Warm-up Area
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| 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
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Stand-by Zone
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| 3.3.2.1 |
Competitors are supervised by the warm-up area safety freediver |
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3.3.3
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Competition Zone
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| 3.3.3.1 |
Each athlete performing in the competition zone will be supervised by one safety freediver |
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3.4
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Safety Signals
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| 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
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Distance Competitions/Records
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| 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
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Supervision
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4.3.1
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Warm-up Area
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| 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
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Stand-by Zone
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| 4.3.2.1 |
Competitors are supervised by the warm-up area safety freediver |
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4.3.3
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Competition Zone
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| 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
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Safety
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| 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
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Depth Competitions/Records
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| 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
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Supervision
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5.3.1
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Warm-up Area
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| 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
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Stand-by Zone
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| 5.3.2.1 |
Competitors are supervised by a stand-by zone safety freediver |
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5.3.3
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Competition Zone
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| 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
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Safety
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| 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 |
