Info for New (and Old) Members

Please read this important information to make your diving with the UWA Underwater Club more comfortable and enjoyable. Please note that the UUC is a non-profit club run by volunteers. Because we are not a commercial dive operation, you are responsible for ensuring the success of your dives with the Club. This information is intended to help you make sure every dive is a good one.

DIVING

It is your responsibility to:

• Dive both within your limits and with appropriate equipment.
• Observe safe diving practice. If you have any questions or
  concerns - please talk to the skipper or your buddy.
• Be familiar with dive tables and plan your dive accordingly.
• Be familiar with all local safety signals.
• Complete a 5 minute safety stop at 5 meters on all dives.
• Return to the boat with 50 bar of air.
• Have either a dive computer, or dive tables and a dive watch.
  The club has 10 computer regs and some analogue gauges with a timer.
  Hire one of these if you do not have a dive watch.
• Keep a personal dive log to demonstrate your experience and
  capabilities as a diver. It may be needed to show you have neough
  experience to participate in some Club events.

Other tips for diving on the club boat:

• If you have not done a backwards roll before - get someone to give you a hand
• Organise to meet your buddy either on the mermaid line or the anchor line, and hold on while waiting
• Always try to navigate back to the anchor line to do your '5 at 5'. If you are unable to find the anchor, still complete your '5 at 5', when you come up you must give a clear 'ok' sign and try to make your way back to the boat. Once all other divers are safely on board, the boat will come to pick you up.
• Safety sausages are mandatory
• To get back on to the boat, hold on at the side of the ladder - be sure to stay clear of the propeller. Remove your fins and toss them on the deck, then climb up the ladder.

CLUBROOMS

• The clubrooms are manned by roster volunteers at 6.30pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, for only half an hour, during the summer months (usually October - May). They are open at the same times during the winter months, but only by appointment - contact the volunteer on duty. Check out the roster and contacts.
• Turn up at 6.30pm - as volunteers are not expected to hang around if no one has turned up.
• For gear hire outside of normal clubroom opening times - please contact the 'mid-week hire volunteers'.

Hiring of Gear

• Make sure you check your gear and tank fills before leaving the clubrooms.
• Ensure that all gear is thoroughly washed with fresh water before returning it.
• Report any problems to the roster volunteer.
• Refunds are not given if you did not use the gear.
• Late fees will apply if you do not return the gear at 6.30pm the following day or at another previously arranged time.

A DAY OUT ON THE CLUB BOAT...

The club regularly runs dives out to Rottnest on the weekend. The club boat, the Tantabiddi, is equipped to carry 12 divers. For the boat to go out to Rottnest there must be a skipper and at least 8 divers. Here some tips for ensuring the day is successful.

Before

• Fill out the online booking form before 5pm Thursday to book your spot on the boat for the upcoming weekend. Its best to book well before Thursday.
• The dive coordinator will give you a call after 7pm Thursday to confirm your spot. You will NOT get a call if the boat is not going out or if the boat is full.
• Meet at the clubrooms at 6.30pm the evening before you are due to go out on the boat. At this time you will pay your money, hire out any gear required and pack it in the truck. You will also discuss with the skipper what time to meet at the Fremantle Sailing Club (generally 7.30 or 8.00am) and if we will be stopping off on the island for lunch.
• Ensure that you set up and inspect your gear, including checking both tanks - you don't want to get out there the next day and not be able to dive because of faulty gear or an empty tank. If you do happen to find any problems - report them to the roster duty volunteer.

That morning

• Make sure you have packed water, suncream and sea-sickness tablets. And of course make sure you have all of your gear - the club does not have spare weights, mask, fins or any other accessories. If you plan to be catching anything, bring the appropriate licence and gauges.
• Meet in the morning at the Fremantle Sailing Club.
• Once inside the FSC, unload the truck and kit up while the skipper collects the boat.
• If you have never been on the club boat before, please let the skipper know.

On the boat

• All gear should be stowed away at all times - wet gear under the seats and dry bags in the front cabin. Weight belts are placed at the back of the boat.
• Make sure that all tanks are secured in the rack. Spare tanks and kitted tanks should be placed alternatively in the rack, to help ease congestion when people are getting ready.
• Organise buddy pairs - if you are new to diving in WA, organise to be with an experienced buddy.
• Listen to the boat safety brief, if you have any questions - please ask.
• Ensure the ladders are untied whenever the boat is in motion.
• If you have any questions about the club gear - please ask. It is important that you are familiar with the working of your gear and the display of the computers.
• Listen to the dive brief and discuss your dive plan with your buddy

After the dive

• Put your tank in the next available spot closest to the bow of the boat.
• Promptly stow your gear away under the seats, and your weight belt at the back of the boat.
• Kit up for the next dive.
• Leave the dust cap OFF the used tank - so that the next person does not mistake it for a full cylinder.
• On return to the Fremantle Sailing Club, help wash up the gear and the boat, then return to the clubrooms to unload the truck and return gear.

Thanks for reading!!

Also see 'The UUC Top 10' and be aware of your responsibilities by reading the club's by-laws.