Media diving projects

Diving at Work Regulations 1997. Approved Code of Practice and guidance

This Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and associated guidance provides practical advice and sets out what you have to do to comply with the requirements of the Diving at Work Regulations 1997.

It applies to all media divers and diving projects within the United Kingdom waters adjacent to Great Britain (generally 12 nautical miles from the low water line).

The term 'media diver' includes:

• stunt people;
• journalists;
• presenters;
• photographers;
• camera operators and sound and lighting technicians; and
• the unit crew required to dive in support of underwater media work.

The term does not include divers used in the preparation of underwater locations that require engineering and construction skills or the handling or use of explosives. This would be covered by HSE's Inland/Inshore ACOP (L104).

This edition of the ACOP has been revised in order to simplify some of the information, update the references and provide greater consistency across all of the Codes of Practice covering diving at work. This document has also been updated to reflect changes in technology and industry practice. The most significant changes relate to:

• Availability of compression chambers. This change is to reflect medical advice and research into time to treatment for decompression illness.
• Fitness to dive. Further information has been provided for divers regarding medical treatment, medical conditions or medication being taken that may make them unfit to dive.