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Underwater Diving in Swimming Pools for
Inspection or Repairs
There are many occasions when a qualified diver may be required to inspect and / or
repair equipment in a swimming pool. To avoid draining down the pool, some tasks
can be undertaken underwater and, assuming there are suitable people to supervise
the diver (and the work can be carried out), this may be useful. Further details of the
staffing levels are mentioned at the end of this factsheet and should be subject to a
suitable risk assessment.
The cost of bringing in qualified commercial divers can be prohibitive, but there is an HSE approved course
called “Diving in benign conditions and in pools, tanks, aquariums and helicopter underwater escape training”.
(Also referred to as Diving Information Sheet No 8). This course allows qualified recreational divers to add an
additional module to enable them to undertake this type of work.
Divers who have the minimum requirements can undertake the extra module. This module is often referred to
as the Swimming Pool Engineer’s Diving Qualification and is carried out over two days. The module also
provides a Swimming Pool Engineer’s Supervisor’s qualification. .
The minimum diving requirements include:
Must be at least 18 years of age
EITHER a PADI rescue diver OR a BSAC Sports Diver qualification
AND the HSE Divers medical
AND be First Aid and CPR qualified, current within 24 months
AND the person must also have the necessary competence to work within a pool environment.
The outline syllabus for the pool diving qualification includes:
•
•
•
Diving theory
Working underwater
Practicing with hand tools on a simulator to change lights, etc
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The outline syllabus for the pool supervisors’ qualification includes:
• Learning how to use a line tender from the surface to the diver
• Safety drills to remove the diver from the water
Once qualified, a three man team is required before a pool diver can enter the water. The team comprises the
diving engineer, the supervisor (who has to have completed the supervisor’s part of the course but does not
need to be a qualified diver, or be in the water) and the third person may be another employee, but could also
be the client.
The extra module is currently offered through Andark Diving and Watersports (please visit
http://www.andark.co.uk for more details, including a brochure), although other diving establishments can
potentially offer this course.
For details of the HSE factsheet, please visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/dvis8.pdf
SPATA is very grateful to the contribution made by Alan Stokes at Aqua Rio Swimming Pools in providing this
opportunity for our industry.
SPATA reminds its Members that no responsibility can be taken by SPATA, its employees or agents in respect
of any errors or omissions from this factsheet.
This version dated 3 May 2012