Divers undertaking an offshore surface supplied diver training programme must undertake dives in a range of depths to the maximum depth of the qualification. Upon completion of the programme, they must be competent to operate safely as a surface supplied diver in an offshore environment. It is also expected that
Information Notes
IMCA produces a range of materials for its members as information notes, covering safety, technical, regulatory, commercial and various other issues relevant to its members.
Members can access all of these materials by logging in to this site. Non-members can view titles, for information, and a small number of individual articles deemed of wider public interest.
Browse our most recent information notes below, or use the filters to view our archives by subject and/or year.
Select some filters
Information Notes
Withdrawal of UK Legislation Module Examination
With effect from the date of publication of this Information Note IMCA will no longer be offering the UK Legislation module examination as part of the IMCA diving supervisor and LST certification schemes. As of 27 February 2023, IMCA will cease to take all new bookings for the UK legislation
COBRA Bailout System: Top Handle Failure
Members’ attention is brought to the recent Guidance Note issued by JFD relating to the failure of the top handle on a COBRA set while the set was being hoisted.
Withdrawal of IMCA D 018 Rev. 1 and IMCA D 024 Rev. 2
This Information Note deals with the withdrawal of IMCA D 018 Rev. 1 and IMCA D 024 Rev. 2 in favour of IMCA D 018 Rev. 2 and IMCA D 024 Rev. 3.
Changes to Approval Procedures for Diving-Related Training Courses
IMCA has reviewed and updated its procedures for approval of training courses, to standardise practice in relation to existing course approvals and in light of the new scheme for approval […]
Registration and Revalidation of South African Diving Qualifications
The South African commercial diving regulator, the Department of Employment and Labour, has announced details of the registration and revalidation process that all commercial divers, diving supervisors, chamber operators and diving instructors holding training certificates issued by the department are required to complete in order to ensure continuing validation of
COBRA Bailout System: Bailout Duration Times
Members’ attention is brought to the recent Guidance Note issued by JFD relating to bailout duration times with partially depleted cylinder pressures.
Summary of IMCA D 023 Document Changes 2022
IMCA D 023 Rev. 1 DESIGN for surface orientated (air) diving systems was published in January 2014. The latest revision of IMCA D 023 has now been published (Rev. 2). This Information Note summarises the changes that were made during the Rev. 1 to Rev. 2 update process.
Dutch Regulator Announces Recognition Scheme for Non-EU Diving Medical Certificates
The Dutch regulator for diving, SWOD, has announced it will recognise valid certificates of medical fitness to dive issued by a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Approved Medical Examiner of Divers (AMED) for divers wishing to work in Dutch waters. Dutch medicals are currently recognised by the HSE.
Basic Safety Training Requirements for Diving Personnel Employed in the Offshore Renewable Energy Sector
IMCA has recently received feedback from members of the North Sea offshore energy diving community that diving personnel are sometimes required to undertake additional and unnecessary basic safety training courses […]
COBRA Advisory Notice: Setting Positive Pressure
Your attention is brought to the following guidance note from JFD pertaining to reported various issues around setting the positive pressure on the COBRA backpack. The guidance note can be […]
Brazilian Supervisor CPD Requirements
In 2021, IMCA began offering the IMCA Diving Supervisor Scheme in Brazil, with candidates being able to take the required IMCA examinations in Brazilian Portuguese.
IMCA Position Statement on Offshore & Inland/Inshore Commercial Diving Qualifications
Summary Offshore and inland/inshore diving projects are undertaken in many countries. Some countries have chosen not to have health and safety legislation relevant to such projects, but a number of […]
Verification of Diver Qualifications
This information note supersedes IMCA D 02/18 which is now withdrawn. This information note has been produced to help IMCA Members and others verify the validity of diving certificates recognised […]
COBRA Bailout System: Leakage at the Joint Between the Y-piece and the Interface Block – JFD Guidance Note
Members’ attention is brought to the recent Guidance Note issued by JFD relating to the potential for leakage on the Compact Bailout Rebreathing Apparatus (COBRA) at the joint between the […]
Accredited Diving System Inspector (ADSI) Examinations – Preparatory Information for Candidates
on the material they should study prior to sitting the ADSI examinations.
Loosening of COBRA Handle Manifold – JFD Guidance Note
Members’ attention is brought to the recent Guidance Note issued by JFD relating to the Compact Bailout Rebreathing Apparatus (COBRA) handle manifold becoming loose within the activation assembly on the […]
COBRA Pre-use Procedures – JFD Guidance Note
Members’ attention is brought to the recent Guidance Note issued by JFD concerning changes to the pre-use procedures for the Compact Bailout Rebreathing Apparatus (COBRA). The COBRA manual will be […]
Summary of 2021 DESIGN Changes for Hyperbaric Rescue Unit (HRU) Life Support Packages (LSP)
IMCA D 024 Rev. 2 DESIGN for saturation (bell) diving systems was published in July 2014. Section 16 of that document covered DESIGN requirements for Hyperbaric Rescue Unit Life Support […]
Summary of IMCA D 024 Document Changes 2021
IMCA D 024 Rev. 2 DESIGN for saturation (bell) diving systems was published in July 2014. The latest revision of IMCA D 024 has now been published (Rev. 3). This […]
100 post(s)