1. Diving Team Recruitment and Training:
1.1. Selecting Diving Team Leaders:
- Identify experienced and certified divers who will act as team leaders for the cleanup.
- Ensure that team leaders have the necessary expertise in underwater cleanup activities and are familiar with the Old Ranch House Slough area.
1.2. Diving Team Training:
- Conduct a pre-event training session for all participating divers, including team leaders.
- Review safety protocols, communication procedures, and the specific tasks involved in the lake bottom cleanup.
- Emphasize the importance of teamwork, buddy systems, and maintaining situational awareness during dives.
2. Dive Planning and Execution:
2.1. Dive Site Evaluation:
- Collaborate with diving team leaders to assess the dive site and identify potential hazards or challenges.
- Determine the best entry and exit points, and establish boundaries for each diving team to ensure efficient coverage of the cleanup area.
2.2. Dive Team Assignments:
- Divide the participating divers into teams, considering their experience, certifications, and familiarity with the Old Ranch House Slough area.
- Assign team leaders to oversee their respective teams and provide guidance during the cleanup.
2.3. Buddy System:
- Implement a strict buddy system, pairing divers together for every dive.
- Ensure that divers remain in close proximity to their buddies throughout the dive and are responsible for each other's safety.
2.4. Dive Rotation Schedule:
- Develop a dive rotation schedule to manage the duration of each dive and provide divers with appropriate rest intervals.
- Consider factors such as water depth, visibility, and air supply to determine optimal dive durations.
2.5. Communication Protocols:
- Establish clear and effective communication channels between divers and the surface support team.
- Use reliable underwater communication devices, such as radios or underwater signaling devices, to maintain constant contact.
- Define standardized signals and hand gestures for communication among divers underwater.
3. Safety Measures and Emergency Procedures:
3.1. Safety Briefings:
- Conduct thorough safety briefings before each dive to remind divers of safety protocols, potential hazards, and emergency procedures.
- Emphasize the importance of monitoring air supply, avoiding entanglement hazards, and practicing controlled ascents.
3.2. Safety Divers:
- Assign trained safety divers to remain on standby during the cleanup event.
- Safety divers should be equipped with appropriate rescue gear and be ready to respond to any emergencies or distress signals.
3.3. Emergency Action Plan:
- Develop a comprehensive emergency action plan in collaboration with the diving team leaders and safety divers.
- Clearly outline the steps to be taken in case of an underwater emergency, including procedures for missing divers, equipment malfunctions, or medical incidents.
3.4. First Aid and Medical Support:
- Arrange for qualified first aiders or medical personnel to be present at the cleanup site.
- Establish a designated area for administering first aid, if necessary.
3.5. Equipment Checks:
- Conduct thorough equipment checks before each dive to ensure that all diving gear is in good working condition.
- Inspect regulators, BCDs (buoyancy control devices), masks, and other equipment for proper functioning.
4. Post-Dive Debriefing and Cleanup:
4.1. Post-Dive Debriefing:
- Hold debriefing sessions after each dive to discuss the progress, challenges, and observations made during the cleanup.
- Encourage divers to share their experiences, provide feedback, and suggest improvements for future cleanup events.
4.2. Decontamination and Waste Disposal:
- Establish a designated area for decontamination of diving equipment and proper