THE INTERNATIONAL DIAMOND REEF CHALLENGE
OFFICIAL DIVEMARSHALL GUIDE
RULES AND REGULATIONS
THE DIVE PLAN
Your Divemarshall will review the specific rules and water conditions with each team prior to the dive. He/she will tell you when you are scheduled to enter the water.
Once you have entered the water and are floating above the #1 hover station, perform a last minute check.
- Begin your descent after signaling your Divemarshall and hover at 15'. Perform an ear, gear and buddy check. Both divers must hover vertically at Diamond #1. Give ear O.K. signal if O.K. and take turns spinning away from buddy so gear check may be accomplished from head to fins. If everything is O.K., give the O.K. sign, if not, fix any problems, if possible. If ears won't clear then ascend a few feet together. Withdraw from the competition if equalization cannot be accomplished. Note: During an event that is not scheduled monthly, no refunds can be given due to the high costs of putting the programs on. If the 'Challenge' is regularly scheduled, then only a small service fee will be charged for retakes. Different areas of the world will have their own rules for incomplete dives or make-ups.
- After completing the above safety check, scuba through Diamond #1, one at a time, horizontally; you may not play follow the leader. One diver swims through, partially fills and clears mask, and must take 5 seconds to pass through. The Divemarshall will time you from when your neck reaches the opening until your knees reach the opening. The buddy partner who is "assisting" must stay outside of the Diamond and follow their partner side by side to prevent a point loss. Once the first diver has successfully made it through, he/she swims back around to the front of the Diamond with the 2nd diver and the drill is repeated with the 2nd diver who's turn it is to hover through the Diamond.
- Proceed through Diamonds 2-5 the same way (without the complete gear check or mask clear, but always keeping an eye out for any problems). Don't touch the bottom, the Diamond or the line. Buddy assistance (physical) is not permitted unless there is a safety problem. If so repeat exercise.
- Diamond #6 is always fun; you must o through it fins first with face down. It is necessary to use your hands to 'water push' or 'skull' to get through. Proper weighting and careful breath control are also required to facilitate your efforts. Once through #6, hover off the bottom at the base of the #7 station with your buddy and look for you Divemarshall to give you the O.K. signal. When he gives the O.K., signal each other to ascent to Diamond #7. The Divemarshall will time your ascent to the 15' stop.
Ascent at the same rate as your buddy; slower than 60' per minute and faster than 20' per minute. Ascent rate must be pre-determined by the team. If the ascent is too fast or too slow the Divemarshall will signal you both to descend to the bottom and try again.
- When your team reaches Diamond #7 (your chest is even with the center at 15') hover for 3 minutes. (Note: It has been determined by the diving community that a stop at approx. 15' helps prevent too rapid an ascent to the surface. The length of the stop is determined by the depth, bottom time and conditions of the dive.) (See you Divemarshall or instructor for more detailed information.) Your heads must not get lower than the lowest point of the Diamond, or you knees higher than the top corner. The Divemarshall will also time your stop. If you stay longer than 3.25 minutes you will be signaled to take your turns through the Diamond. Ascend to the surface when finished.
- Once at the surface you will be escorted back to shore or boat to get your logbooks validated by the beachmaster. Your points will be tallied up and posted.
- Concentrate on your breathing. Do not try to conserve air during the dive, yet refrain from taking too long an inhale or exhale. Your buoyancy is most effected by breathing so try to relax and breathe normally. This is an exercise in slow motion and attention to detail. Make sure your appendages are appropriately secured and you are using the proper amount of weight. See you instructor or divemaster before the day of the 'Challenge' and ask about getting your buoyancy S.E.T. perfectly.
HOW TO ACHIEVE THE OFFICIAL BTSI DIVING ACE STATUS
All participants must fulfill the below requirements to earn the Diving ACE Seal.. Remember, the Diamond Reef Stamp is presented to all that complete the course; the prestigious seal is awarded to only those individuals that demonstrate proficiency of the below techniques. Together they represent the industry's only true mark of skill.
- Maintain a tight buddy system; 8' or less throughout the dive.
- Satisfactorily complete all steps of the Diamond Reef Challenge (refer to page 4-9 & 4-10). No penalty if Diamonds number one, six or seven are accidentally touched.
- Perform an ear, gear, and buddy check in the vertical position, then partially fill mask and clear while hovering inside station number one.
- Perform a controlled descent without touching down line, ocean floor, flora or fauna.
- Negotiate Diamonds two through six (#6 backwards!) in slow motion. It should take you no less than five seconds (from neck to knee) to penetrate each Diamond. No touching allowed. (no penalty for #6only). Two chances are permitted. "Hand-sculling' is required for #6.
- Ascend at proper rate to Diamond number seven; 20' to 60' per minute. (Ascent rate is to be pre-determined by buddy team prior to beginning of dive).
- Hover stop at 15' for 3 minutes. Diver(s) heads must not get lower than lowest point of Diamond. Knees must not rise higher than top corner of Diamond. Remain within 5' (laterally) of hover station.
- Follow industry standard safe diving practices
THE DIAMOND REEF CHALLENGE, A FINAL NOTE
- All divers who compete in the Diamond Reef Challenge are winners. Ultimately, the purpose of the Diamond Reef Challenge is to offer our diving customers the opportunity to fine-tune their buoyancy/control skills, raise money to help preserve the environment and have some fun. It also gives out-of-touch divers the opportunity to receive quality feedback from some of our industry's most valuable players, the instructor/Divemarshall. This role is critical because divers of the future will lean towards increased levels of casual participation and only dive on vacation. Industry safety and equipment updates in the future must be available even to those on vacation.
- Although there may be a point score given for each buddy team during the 'Challenge' it is solely to be used to create a bit of excitement for the group.
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