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UECWA Code of Conduct

Purpose

This Code of Conduct outlines the expected standards of behaviour and safe diving practices for all members participating in club activities. Its purpose is to promote safe, enjoyable diving, protect our volunteers and assets, and ensure the club operates responsibly and in accordance with relevant laws and training standards.

All members are expected to read, understand, and comply with this Code when participating in any club dive or event.

1. Member Responsibilities

All members must:

  • Act in a safe, responsible, and respectful manner at all times
  • Take personal responsibility for their own diving decisions and actions
  • Dive within the limits of their training, experience, fitness, and equipment
  • Comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and marine park or fisheries rules
  • Follow reasonable directions given by the Skipper, Dive Officer, or other volunteer crew and/or Committee members

2. Minimum Training & Fitness Requirements

  • Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) certification is the minimum qualification required to dive from the club vessel
  • Members must be medically fit to dive and disclose any condition that may affect dive safety where appropriate
  • Alcohol or drug use before diving is strictly prohibited
  • Members are expected to maintain current skills and undertake refresher training after periods of inactivity

3. Equipment Requirements

All divers must:

  • Use well-maintained, appropriate, and familiar equipment
  • Conduct pre-dive equipment checks before every dive
  • Carry a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) on every dive (mandatory)
  • Carry appropriate signalling devices when required (e.g. whistle, torch)
  • Ensure equipment is suitable for the planned dive conditions

Divers using specialised equipment (e.g. nitrox, technical configurations) must be trained and certified for its use.

4. Safe Diving Practices

Members are expected to follow accepted safe diving practices, including:

  • Planning dives conservatively and within no-decompression limits unless appropriately trained
  • Conducting buddy checks and adhering to agreed dive plans
  • Maintaining good buoyancy control and environmental awareness
  • Monitoring gas supply, depth, time, and no-decompression limits
  • Aborting a dive at any time if uncomfortable, unwell, or if conditions deteriorate

Any diver may call or abort a dive at any time, for any reason, without question.

5. Buddy & Team Diving

  • Club dives are conducted using the buddy system unless otherwise approved
  • Buddies must stay within visual or agreed contact at all times
  • Dive plans and emergency actions must be agreed before entering the water
  • Divers must surface with adequate gas reserves
  • Divers must follow the lost buddy procedure when separated. Look underwater for no longer than one minute before surfacing to reunite.

6. Respect for Volunteer Crew & Club Officials

The club relies on volunteer Skippers, Dive Officers, and Committee. Members must:

  • Treat all volunteers with courtesy and respect
  • Follow safety briefings and vessel procedures
  • Assist with reasonable tasks when requested (e.g. lines, gear movement, clean-up)
  • Avoid disruptive, aggressive, or disrespectful behaviour

Failure to respect volunteers or comply with instructions may result in removal from a dive or further disciplinary action.

7. Environmental Responsibility

Members must:

  • Dive in an environmentally responsible manner
  • Avoid damaging marine life or habitat
  • Comply with all fishing, marine park, and protected species regulations
  • Secure equipment to prevent dragging or contact with reefs

8. Legal Compliance

All members must:

  • Hold required licences (e.g. solo diving accreditation, rock lobster licences where applicable)
  • Comply with fisheries, boating, and maritime laws
  • Follow club rules relating to catch limits, equipment, and handling of marine life

The club may conduct spot checks to ensure compliance.

9. Behaviour & Conduct

The following will not be tolerated:

  • Unsafe diving practices
  • Harassment, bullying, or discrimination
  • Reckless or negligent behaviour
  • Ignoring safety briefings or instructions
  • Actions that place others, the vessel, or the club at risk

10. Breaches & Consequences

Breaches of this Code may result in:

  • Verbal warning
  • Suspension from a dive or activity
  • Temporary or permanent suspension of club diving privileges
  • Referral to the committee for further action
  • Termination of club membership

The committee reserves the right to act in the interests of safety at all times.

11. Acknowledgement

By participating in club activities, members acknowledge that scuba diving involves inherent risks and agree to abide by this Code of Conduct and Safe Diving Practices.