Can an electronic signature validate the plan?

Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, electronic signatures can be legally binding if intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are satisfied.

Is notarization required?

Not typically. Most dive safety plans do not require notarization, but specific contracts or agency permits may require a notarized acknowledgment or certified signature in some jurisdictions.

What if a team member's certification expires onsite?

Suspend that individual's dive duties until certification or medical clearance is current; document the suspension and notify project management immediately.

How should incidents be recorded?

Record facts promptly, preserve evidence, and follow internal and regulatory reporting procedures; retain the Plan and incident logs for the retention period applicable to the project.

Can remote approvals be used for urgent dives?

Remote approvals are acceptable if the workflow provides signer authentication, an audit trail, and authorized signers have delegated authority in the contract.

Who keeps the master signed copy?

Maintain the master with project records, provide a contractor copy, and keep an onsite accessible version for the duration of operations.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Project Management
Project Management Dive Safety Plan

Project Management Dive Safety Plan

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

PROJECT MANAGEMENT DIVE SAFETY PLAN

Project Identification

Project Title:

Project ID: Contract Number:

Client Service Provider Project Manager

Work Site / Dive Location:

Vessel / Platform Name: Dive Supervisor:

Permit / Authorization Numbers (if applicable)

Scope of Work

Describe the dive operations covered by this plan, including objectives, tasks, and environmental conditions addressed.

Out of Scope

Deliverables and Acceptance Criteria

Deliverables Acceptance Criteria

Timeline and Milestones

Planned Start Date: Planned End Date:

Milestones

Milestone 1: Date:

Milestone 2: Date:

Milestone 3: Date:

Budget and Payment

Total Contract Value:

Payment Schedule Change Order Process

Safety Procedures and Protocols

This Plan establishes mandatory procedures to be followed by the Service Provider and Client personnel during all dive operations. All dive operations shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures below and applicable industry standards.

Pre-dive and Operational Safety Measures Equipment Checklist (select items to be provided/verified)

Surface-supplied air system
SCUBA sets / bailout systems
Emergency oxygen and administration equipment
Spare masks and regulators
Bailout gas cylinders and transfer gear
Lifesaving ring / man-overboard equipment
Diver-to-surface communication systems
Decompression stop equipment / shotlines
First aid kit and trauma supplies
Confirmed hyperbaric chamber access

Equipment Inspection Notes

Personnel, Training, and Medical

Dive Team Members (names, role, certification) Training and Certification Requirements Medical Screening and Fitness-for-Duty

Emergency Response and Medical Evacuation

Primary Emergency Contact: Phone:

Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber / Medical Facility Evacuation Plan

Risk Assessment and Hazard Controls

Known Hazards Mitigation Measures and Controls

Permits, Compliance, Insurance, and Liability

The Service Provider shall obtain and maintain all permits, licenses, and authorizations required to perform the dive operations. Each party shall comply with applicable laws and industry standards.

Insurance Carrier Policy Number Coverage Limits / Notes

Indemnification: Service Provider agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Client and its officers, agents and employees from claims, suits, losses, damages, and expenses arising from Service Provider's performance of dive operations, except to the extent caused by the sole negligence or willful misconduct of Client. This indemnity shall survive termination of this Plan.

Acknowledgement of Insurance and Indemnity

I certify that the insurance and indemnity provisions above are accurate and accepted by the signatory party.

Confidentiality

All operational plans, diver logs, medical information and proprietary techniques produced under this Plan shall be treated as confidential by both parties and shall not be disclosed to third parties except as required by law or with prior written consent from the other party. This obligation survives termination of the Agreement.

Governing Law

This Plan and any disputes arising out of it shall be governed by the laws of:

Certifications and Acknowledgements

By signing below, each party certifies that it has authority to enter into this Dive Safety Plan, that the information provided herein is accurate to the best of its knowledge, and that it will comply with the obligations and safety requirements set forth in this Plan.

Client Representative Name:

Service Provider Authorized Representative:

Client Name:

By:

Date:

Service Provider Name:

By:

Date:

What a Project Management Dive Safety Plan Is

A Project Management Dive Safety Plan is a written operational document that identifies hazards, defines controls, and assigns roles and responsibilities for underwater work conducted as part of a project. It consolidates pre-dive risk assessments, medical and training verifications, equipment checks, emergency procedures, communications protocols, and regulatory compliance steps into a single reference for project managers, dive supervisors, and onsite teams. The plan supports consistent execution across shifts and subcontractors and documents decisions made to reduce exposure to drowning, decompression illness, entanglement, and other underwater hazards.

Why a Formal Dive Safety Plan Matters for Projects

A formal plan reduces operational uncertainty by documenting hazard controls, clarifying authority, and creating an auditable record for compliance and incident review.

Who Typically Prepares and Uses This Plan

Multiple stakeholders retain copies: project records, contractor files, and the onsite command post for pre-dive briefings and audits.

Project Manager — Coordinates scope, budget, and contractor obligations for dive activities, ensuring integration with overall project schedule.
Dive Supervisor — Validates dive team qualifications, approves the plan, and oversees execution and emergency response on site.
Safety Officer — Reviews hazard analysis, enforces permit requirements, and documents training, PPE, and inspection outcomes.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Plan

An effective Dive Safety Plan groups information into discrete, actionable sections so reviewers can quickly confirm compliance and readiness.

Scope

Define the work location, type of dives (surface-supplied, SCUBA, commercial), expected depth ranges, and planned tasks for each dive operation.

Hazard Analysis

Document known site hazards such as currents, visibility, marine life, contamination, overhead environments, and confined-space considerations.

Personnel & Training

List dive team members, certifications, medical clearance status, role assignments, and required training refreshers or drills.

Equipment & Maintenance

Inventory life-support systems, breathing gas supplies, communication gear, lift devices and inspection records showing readiness and service dates.

Emergency Procedures

Detail rescue plans, on-scene first aid, evacuation routes, recompression availability, emergency contacts, and radio/phone protocols.

Permits & Approvals

Include required permits, environmental approvals, client sign-offs, and any agency notifications or notification windows.

Required Data Elements at a Glance

Project Name: Full project title

Location: Precise site coordinates

Effective Date: Start date

Authorized Signer: Name and title

Dive Team: Roster and certs

Emergency Contact: 24/7 phone

Step-by-Step: Preparing and Approving the Plan

Follow a consistent sequence to prepare, review, authorize, and distribute the Dive Safety Plan before any underwater work begins.

01

Assess Site: Survey hazards and document environmental data.
02

Assemble Team: Confirm certifications and medical clearances.
03

Write Controls: Specify procedures, PPE, and equipment checks.
04

Authorize: Get signatures from project manager and dive supervisor.

Configuring an Online Version of the Plan

Set up an electronic template and approval workflow so the plan can be completed, routed, and stored consistently across projects.

Field	Configuration
Effective Date Field	Date picker, required
Signature Block	Signer role required
Team Roster Table	Repeatable row, validation
Emergency Contacts	SMS/phone validation

Digital Signing and Sharing Options

Ensure the chosen platform supports audit logs, encrypted storage, and role-based permissions to preserve chain of custody for safety records.

File Formats: PDF and DOCX supported
Authentication: Email, SMS, or multi-factor
Integrations: Connect to project systems

How This Plan Differs from a Dive Checklist

Compare the Project Management Dive Safety Plan with simpler checklists to decide which document fits your operational and compliance needs.

Document	Project Dive Safety Plan	Dive Safety Checklist
Purpose	comprehensive plan	pre-dive task list
Detail Level	high	low
Approval	required sign-off	often supervisor-only
Use	project-wide control	single dive session

eSignature Vendors for Executing the Plan

Compare basic vendor pricing and key feature availability for executing and storing a Dive Safety Plan electronically; signNow appears first per vendor comparators.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Consequences of an Incomplete or Incorrect Plan

Operational Harm: Increased injury risk

Regulatory Action: OSHA investigation possible

Contract Penalties: Liquidated damages risk

Insurance Denial: Coverage disputes likely

Project Delay: Work stoppage risk

Legal Exposure: Claims and litigation

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Relying on a brief checklist instead of a full plan leaves emergency roles and escalation steps undefined and slows response.
Using outdated certification records or failing to verify current medical clearances can invalidate insurance and increase liability.
Not documenting environmental monitoring (tides, currents, contamination) leads to unanticipated hazards during operations and poor decision records.
Failing to distribute the approved plan to subcontractors and shift teams results in inconsistent procedures and noncompliance.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Plans

Adopt repeatable templates, standard fields, and electronic routing to reduce errors and accelerate approvals across projects.

Standardize Templates

Create a project-level template with mandatory fields for certifications, equipment inspections, and emergency contacts to reduce omissions across similar scopes of work.

Require Pre-Dive Briefings

Hold documented pre-dive briefings for each shift and include attendee sign-in to confirm shared understanding of hazards, contingency plans, and communication protocols.

Use Electronic Records

Store signed plans and version history in encrypted project repositories; electronic audit trails improve traceability during audits or incident investigations.

Review After Events

After near-misses or incidents, update the plan and log corrective actions to capture lessons learned and reduce recurrence.

Key Timing and Reporting Expectations

Identify time-critical milestones for approvals, notifications, and incident reporting before operations commence.

Plan Approval Window:

Submit for approval at least 48 hours before first dive

Certification Verification:

Confirm medical and certs immediately before deployment

Pre-Dive Checklist:

Complete immediately prior to each dive

Incident Notification:

Report serious injuries to supervisor within 24 hours

Regulatory Reporting:

File agency-required reports per jurisdictional deadlines

Where to File, Send, and Store the Final Plan

Use defined channels so responsible parties can retrieve the plan during operations or investigations.

Project Records: Primary repository for project documentation
Contractor File: Retain a signed copy with the contractor
Onsite Command: Accessible hard or electronic copy at site
Regulatory Submissions: Submit to agencies when required

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about preparing, signing, and storing a Project Management Dive Safety Plan.

Need help? Contact support

Can an electronic signature validate the plan?
Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, electronic signatures can be legally binding if intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are satisfied.
Is notarization required?
Not typically. Most dive safety plans do not require notarization, but specific contracts or agency permits may require a notarized acknowledgment or certified signature in some jurisdictions.
What if a team member's certification expires onsite?
Suspend that individual's dive duties until certification or medical clearance is current; document the suspension and notify project management immediately.
How should incidents be recorded?
Record facts promptly, preserve evidence, and follow internal and regulatory reporting procedures; retain the Plan and incident logs for the retention period applicable to the project.
Can remote approvals be used for urgent dives?
Remote approvals are acceptable if the workflow provides signer authentication, an audit trail, and authorized signers have delegated authority in the contract.
Who keeps the master signed copy?
Maintain the master with project records, provide a contractor copy, and keep an onsite accessible version for the duration of operations.

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