Lynn Herriot

(2) That in terms of Section 6(1)(c) - the reasonable precautions, if any whereby the death and any accident resulting in the death might have been avoided:- (a) If Scotsac had provided Lynn Herriot with detailed and proper instruction in the use of aqua lung equipment and methods of buoyancy control and had ensured that she had carried out “at least” two try dives with full aqua lung equipment in enclosed water before permitting her to “try dive” with the equipment in open water, her death might have been avoided; I recommend that such training be compulsory before any open water “try dive” and furthermore that it be emphasised to trainee divers that dry suits must at all times “fit properly” and that divers must not remove mouth pieces unless their feet are firmly on the seabed and their heads are above water.

I further recommend that such training be certified as having been given by a qualified instructor and as having been received by the novice diver before open sea diving with aqua lung and associated equipment be permitted..

I recommend therefore that before any open water dive is commenced and in particular a “try dive” involving novice divers that a dive leader, safety officer and first aid officer be “formally” appointed. (c) if Gordon Rankin had been wearing a “quick release” safety belt rather than a “Ralph Teck” weight harness, Lynn Herriot’s death might have been avoided..

I therefore recommend that “recreational divers” and in particular inexperienced recreational divers should not wear a “Ralph Teck” weight harness when diving but should instead wear a “quick release” weight belt.

I recommend therefore that before any dive is commenced it be confirmed by the diver and his “buddy” that there is at least 150 bar in the diver’s main cylinder.

I therefore recommend that at all times when mouthpiece regulators are not in use they be attached and readily accessible within a triangular area to the front of the diver’s torso.

I therefore recommend that at all times when a diver is given an RBT warning on his dive computer either visually or audibly that he indicate to his/her buddy that both should immediately surface.

I suggest and recommend that the dangers of removing a mouthpiece whilst the diver is still afloat be emphasised in the training recommended at (a) above.

I therefore recommend that at all times when “try dives” are undertaken there be proximate surface cover which will include a boat within close proximity equipped with suitable rescue equipment and two fully equipped divers on board.

I shall therefore recommend that a “Risk Assessment” be carried out before all open water dives, particularly dives involving novice divers.

I recommend therefore that in addition to formalised certification of “pre-try dive”, aqua lung instruction that scuba dive training be formalised to the extent that before any aqua lung training can be commenced there should be a record certified by both instructor and trainee of training given and received and that such records should be held by the Club and readily accessible when required.

I shall therefore recommend that trainee and instructors should at all times i.e. before and during diving assume the role of buddy and in that capacity should check each others equipment before commencing diving.

I shall therefore recommend that buoyancy control, if required to be by weights at the commencement of a dive should be by standardised weights and not rocks.

I further recommend that ankle weights should not be used by novice divers.

(d) I consider that because non-club members are not provided with the official Club documents that full members would get including Safe Practices Codes that before they undertake snorkel training or any form of sub aqua activity they should be required to read and sign an “understanding of risk” document.

I accordingly so recommend.

Although I was advised by Mr Speirs that Scotsac have addressed this matter I consider it necessary to formally recommend that all instructors be regularly required to have certification of such update of their skills on record.