Dive industry faces shake up over deaths
CORONERS' recommendations after several diving deaths have led to a stricter code of practice for operators.
The Recreational Diving, Recreational Technical Diving and Snorkelling Code of Practice 2010, released by the State Government yesterday, includes few changes to previous regulations, but merges two existing codes.
The new regulation includes safety advice for treating marine stings, but does not mandate the use of stinger suits.
Principal advisor on diving for Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Chris Coxon said changes to the new code included tightening training requirements for instructors giving introductory dives and updated rules on carrying defibrillators.
"A lot of our incidents that we've had involve older people, cardiac-related conditions, so that's a response to that,"
he said.
Attorney-General Cameron Dick said an "enormous amount" of consultation went into developing the code of practice.
He said the new code merged previous codes covering recreational technical diving, compressed air recreational diving and recreational snorkelling.
Cairns MP Desely Boyle said about six people died each year while diving or snorkelling.
Pro Dive Cairns managing director Rod Punshon, who provided advice on the new code, praised the Government for consulting the industry.
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Safety first: Malene Segerlund, from Denmark, learns to dive in Cairns. Yesterday, a new code of practice for dive operators was released. Picture: MARC McCORMACK
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