Dive Briefings and Debreifings

OBJECTIVES

• Outline 2 techniques for giving a good briefing or debriefing.

• Explain one advantage of using a slate or hard copy of your briefing or debriefing.

• Describe 3 purposes for a briefing or debriefing.• Describe 5 topics to be discussed in a briefing or

debriefing.• Discuss the advantages of providing a good

briefing or debriefing.

Techniques

• Have a system– Work from: parking lot-beach-water-surface-

depth

• Use slates– Won’t forget stuff– Liability exposure

• Make sure people are listening

Briefings

PURPOSES

• Foundation for directing all types of diving

• Opportunity to motivate good diving behavior, establish rapport with the group, reiterate important safety information.

• Opportunity to set the tone of the dive.

Briefings

TOPICS• Orientation to facilities and sites• Conditions• Hazards and dangers• Activity overview• Establish objectives• Provide specific instructions• Increase safety of the activity• Answer questions and avoid confusion• Motivate students• Make activities with limited communication run well

Debriefings

PURPOSES• Obtain immediate feedback about the dive.• Compare performance to objectives.• Assess the diver physically and emotionally.• Identify problems and provide solutions.• Provide praise and encouragement.• Recap key points.• Answer questions.• Motivation for future diving activities

DebriefingsTOPICS• Enjoyment

– How the diver felt – What did you see.– Any new experiences.

• Conduct of the dive– Bottom time– Depth– Where you went – Conditions– Air reserve

• Diver performance– What went well– What could be improved– How to improve

• Questions• Readiness/Desire to conduct another dive