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IDSA OPERATIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES<br />

SECTION 1 : GENERAL<br />

1.1 INTRODUCTION<br />

The <strong>Association</strong> was established in 1982 at the Annual Conference of the American <strong>Association</strong> of <strong>Diving</strong><br />

Contractors in New Orleans, with the aims set out in the Constitution - Appendix A1<br />

Since that time, the <strong>Association</strong> has grown and matured, and now the membership comprises Military, State<br />

Owned, and Private <strong>Schools</strong>, which generally exist separately but can, in some Countries, be found in<br />

combination.<br />

The IDSA Programme is one of equivalence. It’s purpose is to provide a framework against which the Diver<br />

Training Standards of all Countries may be equated. In Countries where there is a Formal Diver Training<br />

Programme, <strong>Schools</strong> will always issue their National Diver Qualification Card, but will also issue the IDSA<br />

equivalent. All sections of the Industry - Client, Contractor, Government department or whoever, will then be<br />

able to assess the competence of a diver on completion of his training immediately, without reference to<br />

other complex documents. It will also facilitate the movement of divers between Countries - although short<br />

courses concerning environmental, procedural and cultural differences may still be required. The recognition<br />

of IDSA Cards will be a matter for individual Countries.<br />

In order to provide a quick reference to the Diver Training Standards which are accepted by IDSA a Table of<br />

Equivalence is maintained (Appendix D). Inclusion in the Table means that the Formal Diver Training<br />

Programme of a Country has Standards which are equivalent to those of IDSA, and has established<br />

comprehensive inspection and recording procedures which will ensure that its own and the IDSA Standards<br />

are maintained.<br />

The aim is NOT to<br />

� Conflict with National <strong>Diving</strong> Standards<br />

� Conflict with National Legislation<br />

It is considered that these <strong>International</strong> Standards will contribute to:<br />

� Equating Standards across the World<br />

� Providing Guidance to Organisations setting standards for the first time.<br />

� Improving Safety<br />

� Providing Contractors with a direct input to the Diver Training Syllabus<br />

� Enabling Contractors to bid across National Borders on a more even playing field<br />

� Improving the quality of Diver education.<br />

� Providing Divers with greater Job Opportunities<br />

Apart from the more traditional diving activities in the Offshore Industry, Industrial Working Divers now take<br />

part in a wide variety of activities, such as :<br />

Archaeological investigation<br />

Bridge Structure Inspection<br />

Demolition and Salvage<br />

Fish Farming<br />

Nuclear Power Plant Maintenance<br />

Professional Recreational Services<br />

Remedial work in Lakes Reservoirs Canals etc<br />

Rescue Services<br />

Scientific data collection and observation<br />

Search Recovery and Survey<br />

Television and film making<br />

Underwater Civil Engineering<br />

Wind Farm Maintenance<br />

The <strong>Association</strong> is concerned to provide a service which will satisfy the needs of all groups of divers, Offshore,<br />

Inshore, Inland or wherever.<br />

In line with its aims IDSA seeks to co-operate with other <strong>International</strong> organisations such as the <strong>International</strong><br />

Marine Contractors <strong>Association</strong> (IMCA), the <strong>Association</strong> of <strong>Diving</strong> Contractors <strong>International</strong> (ADCI), the<br />

European <strong>Diving</strong> Technology Committee (EDTC), and others. Representatives of these organisations attend<br />

meetings and contact is maintained with them.<br />

(Publications – OAP 9 December 09 6

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