Difficult balance for dive industry
A PROMINENT law expert says a balance needs to be struck between saving lives and giving tourists maximum enjoyment on the Great Barrier Reef.
Colour-coded snorkelling equipment and flotation devices for snorkellers identified as being “at-risk” are among a raft of new changes for the industry following a spate of tourist deaths on the Reef last year.
Tourism operators will now be allowed to request declarations from people identified as at-risk before they enter the water, and require them to wear equipment so they can be easily spotted from a vessel, which must have an automatic external defibrillator on board.
Former Queensland Law Society president Bill Potts said snorkel and dive safety was about more than just ticking boxes and having simply having “yellow snorkels won’t save anyone’s life.”
He said having on-board defibrillators was a “no-brainer”, but there needed to also be a trained medic on-board, not only to ensure form was being followed, but to also provide emergency medical assistance.
“It’s really important that (these rules) are not just becoming a matter of law, but there is a buy-in by the dive companies,” he said.
“It’s not just about ticking boxes.
“(Having snorkel declarations) reduces claims for negligence which can only help claims and excesses go down.”
New rescue helicopters are earmarked for Cairns and Townsville to act as back-up aircraft when current choppers are down for maintenance or not available.
Passions of Paradise chief executive Scotty Garden said it would be good for the region as the helicopters assisted everyone inland and at sea.
“This has been a long time coming for the emergency services who do an outstanding effort, but have such a huge area of operation to cover,” he said.
“It is good for the reef operators to know there are more hands on deck especially if there is an emergency in two different areas at the same time.”
IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT (THESE RULES) ARE NOT JUST BECOMING A MATTER OF LAW, BUT THERE IS A BUYIN BY THE DIVE COMPANIES
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