Diving Instructions for HSFS Huinay Scientific Field Station

Please read this carefully before diving in HSFS to avoid confusion. Keep your valid diving license, logbook and valid health-certificate (not older than two years) handy. Contact the lab’s DSO (Dive Safety Officer) to sign the declaration of self-responsibility for diving (this is separate from the general declaration of self-responsibility) and, if necessary, to complete all rental gear forms. Once rental forms have been signed, you become solely responsible for the well-fare of that equipment and carry all consequences in the case of damage or loss.

Rules for diving HSFS

• Every diver needs a valid diving license and at least 50 dives, a valid health certificate not older than 2 years, as well as a health insurance and an insurance that covers the costs of diving accidents (such as DAN, www.diversalertnetwork.org/).

• In every group at least one diver has to posses either a CMAS***, Padi Rescue Diver, Research Diver license or equivalent skills.

• Sport-Diving, diving alone, or diving deeper than 40 m is not allowed.

• Divers with CMAS*, PADI Open Water Diver or the Chilean Buzo Deportivo are not allowed to dive deeper than 20 m.

• For dives down to 40 m either the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver including the PADI Deep Diver, the CMAS** or the Buzo Especialista are required.

• Every group of visiting divers must always be accompanied by a diver from the Huinay station. Every diver must carry a diving-computer, compass depth-gauge and octopus (second regulator).

• If diving the first time in the fjord Comau, every diver has to carry out at least one check-dive from the stations dock. Then he/she might be allowed to dive in more fragile habitats. If diving skills are inadequate, the station reserves the right to impose further restrictions!.

• Tanks must be returned with a minimum pressure of 50 bar (730psi). When returning a tank with less than 40 bar (580 psi) a fee of 5000 CLP will be charged. Tanks returned with less than 20 bar (290 psi) have to be charged with an additional fee (25.000 CLP) for a technical revision of that tank.

Divers wanting to dive at different sites are subject to the following categories: