AU776689B2 - A diver accountability system - Google Patents

Description

WO 01/46915 PCT/AU00/01590 A DIVER ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a diver accountability system that accounts for divers entering and exiting the water.

BACKGROUND ART Scuba diving is becoming more and more popular and unfortunately, many people engaging in scuba diving are relatively unskilled and untrained. A popular form of scuba diving is in relatively shallow water around reefs and wrecks. It is common to dive as a group with the group lo consisting of between 2-10 people. In this type of arrangement, it is common to have a divemaster. The divemaster is a senior and experienced person who stays on the surface and accounts for the safe entry and exit of the group. It is extremely important for the divemaster to be able to fully account for all divers. The divemaster must make sure that all divers are present and accounted for at all times, but must also be able to calculate how long a diver has been underwater and when the diver must surface.

To date, the divemaster uses a ad-hoc system which involves good memory, notepads, calculators and general skill and expertise in order to ensure that all the divers are looked after during the dive experience.

However, errors have occurred, and reported cases exist where divers have been accidentally left behind due to errors of judgment being made by the divemaster.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a diver accountability system which may overcome the abovementioned disadvantages and/or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a diver accountability system which comprises a master panel and a plurality of dive tags, the dive tags being adapted for removable attachment to a divers tank or equipment, the dive tags having a surface on which information can be given, the information including information identifying the diver, the tank size and the tank pressure, the master panel having a plurality of tag holding means, a WO 01/46915 PCT/AUOO/01590 2 computing means, data ertry means to allow data to be entered into the computing means, the data including tank size, tank pressure and dive depth for each diver, and display means to display at least some of the information entered by the data entry means and/or calculated by the computing means.

In order to minimise or eliminate the risk of error in identifying a diver, the system may include a sensor means associated with the tag holding means such that when a tag is inserted into the tag holding means, the sensor means will sense the presence of the tag. The sensor means can send a signal to the computing means such that the computing means recognises the data being entered via the data entry means as being for that tag and therefore for that diver.

The master panel may have an alarm means to provide an alarm such as an audio and/or visual alarm should a critical parameter such as a dive time have been exceeded, or is close to being exceeded. The alarm means may be operatively associated with the tag holding means such that when a tag is entered into the tag holding means, the alarm is activated.

Suitably, the alarm means can be deactivated only if all the tags have been removed from the tag holding means (that is, when all the divers have surfaced).

The system may include a portable device wom by each diver.

The portable device may be similar in size and shape to a diver's watch. The portable device can be programmed to contain information such as the dive time, the maximum permitted depth, and the like. The device may contain a sensor such as an infra red sensor through which information can be downloaded to the device. The master panel may be provided with an emitter such as an infra red emitter to program the portable device. The portable device can be held next to the emitter or scanned past the emitter to download the information from the master panel to the portable device. The portable device can be activated on commencement of the dive. The portable device typically has some form of timing means to allow it to alert the diver upon expiration of the dive time. A depth sensing means may also be provided to alert the diver if the calculated safe depth has been exceeded.

WO 01146915 PCT/AU00/01590 3 In another form, the invention resides in a simpler diver accountability system which does not contain all the above electronic devices and which comprises a dive tag which is removably attachable to a divers tank or equipment, the tag having at least three information zones, one zone identifying the diver, the second zone identifying the tank size and the third zone identifying the tank pressure, and a master panel which has a plurality of tag holders to hold the tags separate from each other such that the information zones are viewable, the panel further having a plurality of write on information zones which are positioned to follow on from the zones on the 1o tags such that the information on a particular tag and the information on the following on information zone on the master panel can be read as an integrated source of information.

The accountability system can be used by a divemaster to accurately track which divers are underwater and how long a diver should remain underwater before resurfacing.

The system uses dive tags with a tag being attached to a diver's tank or equipment. Thus, if the system tracks 10 divers, there will be 10 dive tags each tag attached to one diver's tank or equipment. The system can also track which divers have exited the water by return of the tags to the individual tank or equipment.

The tags may be formed from any suitable material and the tag is preferably formed from material which is water resistant and resistant to salt water and corrosion. Typically, the tags are formed from relatively rigid plastic material. In an embodiment, the tag is substantially rectangular when viewed in plan and can have a length of between 100 to 200mm and a width of between 20 to 40mm. This of course can vary to suit. The tag can be formed with an aperture to allow a loop to attach the tag to the dive tank or equipment. Other forms of releasable attachment means can also be used.

The tag may have a sensor. The sensor may be in the form of a magnet.

The sensor functions to activate the program on the master panel.

The tag may have one surface on which information can be written. This surface can have three information zones to allow three WO 01/46915 PCT/AU00/0 590 4 separate pieces of information to be written or otherwise applied to the tag.

One zone can identify the diver either by name or by other means. The second zone can identify the tank size or capacity. The third zone can identify the tank pressure. The second and third zones together therefore can provide an indication of the amount of air available in the tank for breathing.

The system has a master panel. The master panel may be in the form of a hinged box or container which can open up, for instance, to present a vertical surface and a horizontal surface. The hinged box or 3o container is suitably formed from corrosion resistant materials and, when closed, may be splashproof, waterproof and the like. The master panel may be provided with three general areas being a first area to support the tags, a second area which can be a dive planner, and a third area which can be an emergency action planner.

The master panel has a plurality of tag holding means. The tag holding means are such to hold the dive tags separate from each other such that each dive tag is viewable. Preferably, the dive tags are held in a substantially horizontal manner on the master panel. Suitably, the tag holding means comprise slides which can slidingly hold a dive tag in a horizontal manner with the information zones facing the divemaster.

In the simpler form of the invention, the master panel has a plurality of write-on information zones on which additional information can be placed. These zones are positioned to follow on from the zones on the tags such that the information on a particular tag and information on the information zone on the master panel can be read as a single or integrated source of information. For instance, if the dive tag is held in a horizontal manner by a slide positioned on the master panel, the information zones on the master panel may comprise an array of horizontal zones or squares which extend from the edge of the dive tag. The information zones on the panel may comprise a clear plastic sheet. The sheet can be attached to the master panel either directly, or can be spaced slightly from the master panel such that the tag can slide between the master panel and the clear sheet. The WO 01/46915 PCT/AU00/01590 sheet can be written on by a suitable pen or pencil to provide additional information. The information zones on the master panel may provide information showing the diving depth, the time allowed underwater, the safety stop, the time in and the time out.

The master panel may be provided with a calculation means to allow various bits of information to be calculated. The master panel may also include a clock which may be a count down clock and/or a count up clock.

An alarm means may be provided which will sound an alarm such as an audio alarm when divers are due to returnm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which Figure 1 illustrates a master panel according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a typical tag.

Figure 3 illustrates a portable device to be worn by each diver according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a master panel formed from two halves which can fold together and according to a second embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODE Referring to Figures 1-3, there is illustrated a diver accountability system which consists of a dive tag 10 a master panel 50 and a portable device Dive tag 10 is formed from a rectangular plastic strip having a length of 120mm and a width of 30mm and a thickness of between 2 to 4mm.

It should of course be appreciated that the size and shape of the dive tag can vary to suit. Tag 10 has a circular opening 12 which allows it to be attached to a loop of material (not shown) which allows the tag to be attached to a dive tank or equipment. Tag 10 is separate from the master panel.

Tag 10 is provided with three information zones on one face of the tag. One zone 13 allows the name of the diver to be written on the tag.

WO 01/46915 PCT/AU00/01590 6 Second zone 14 allows the tank capacity to be written on the tag and third zone 15 allows the tank pressure to be written on the tag. This information can be written on the tag by the divemaster and the divemaster will inspect each tank to determine the capacity of the tank and the pressure in the tank.

s Tag 10 has a longitudinal slot 42 which allows it to slide into the tag holding means on the master panel 50 (see figure 1) which will be described in greater detail below. One end 43 of tag 10 is provided with a sensor in the form of a magnet 41 the reason for which will be described in greater detail below.

Each tag is removed from the tank immediately before a dive and the tags are then attached to the master panel 50. In the embodiment, master panel 50 has provision for ten horizontally supported tags but this can of course vary to suit. The tags 10 are supported in separate tag holding means 51D-60D. The tag holding means have an open end 51A-60A such that a tag 10 can slide into a respective tag holding means. The tag holding means are provided with ribs 51B-60B which engage with the longitudinal slot 42 on each tag to hold each tag securely in place. Each open-end 51Ais provided with a sensor 51C-60C which can sense magnet 41 in each tag which allows the presence of a tag to be sensed.

Master panel 50 is in the form of a closable container having a lid 52 and a base portion 53. Lid 52 is hingedly attached to base portion 53 and can close to overlie the base portion. When the master panel is closed, it can be latched or locked, and is preferably splashproof or waterproof.

Typically, master panel 50 has a size which is similar to that of a briefcase and is easy to carry by the divemaster. Lid 52 has an internal flat surface 54.

The internal left-hand surface has a top section entitled Dive Plan, and a right-hand section entitled Emergency Plan. Under the Emergency Plan section can be written or otherwise presented the best practice for a personal emergency plan and dive site emergency plan. Under the Dive Plan section is provided a visual aid to divers for procedures within the dive and general plan, i.e. safety stop location etc. This is a write-on section used by the divemaster with generally a waterproof pencil.

WO 01/46915 PCT/AUOO/01590 7 Base portion 53, as well as having the tag holding means 51Dis provided with a data entry means in the form of a keypad 54. Keypad 54 has number keys 1-0, and on/off key, a cancel key, a recall key, and an enter key. A display means in the form of a visual display 55 is provided in base portion 53. Visual display 55 has three sections being a dive time section 56, a safety stop section 57, and a depth section 58. Each said section is in the form of a clock which can be a count up clock or a count down clock. Base portion 53 has a second data entry means 59 which consists of six buttons, each button corresponding to a tank size (in cubic lo feet), each button having a value displayed on the button corresponding to the tank size. This allows quick data entry of the tank size. The 6 buttons correspond to tank sizes of between 55-150 cubic feet which would cover almost all types of tanks. A tank size which does not correspond exactly with a button on second data entry means 59 can be entered via the data entry means 54. Base portion 53 has a second display 60 which provides visual instructions to the divemaster on the use of the system. A computing means is provided within the container 50 which calculates the various parameters such as dive time, safety stop time and the like from the data entered through data entry keys 54 and 59. The computing means may also provide the instructions through second display The master panel 50 can be powered via a battery which can be built into the panel and/or an external power supply which may comprise electric power on the boat or a solar power panel and the like.

An emitter 61 is provided on base portion 53. Emitter 61 is an infra red emitter and functions to download information to the portable device illustrated in figure 3. The portable device 40 is meant to be worn about each diver's wrist. Device 40 has a data entry port in the form of an infra red input sensor 63 which can download information from emitter 61 when the portable device is swiped past emitter 61 or held against or adjacent emitter 61. Device 40 has three sections containing critical time parameters. This sections included dive time section 64 a safety stop section 65 and a depth section 66 which correspond to the sections 56-58 on base portion 53. Each WO 01/46915 PCT/AU00/01590 8 section 64-66 comprises a count up or count down clock. An alarm will be activated if anyone of the critical time parameters are exceeded or approaching. The alarm may be a visual alarm whereby part of the personal device lights up and/or may be a tactile alarm (such as a vibrating alarm) and/or an audio alarm.

The use of the system is as follows. The master panel 50 is opened up as illustrated in Figure 1 and is tumrned on via an on-off switch. A check is made of the various displays to make sure that the displays function properly. The check will include a time check, a check of the alarm, a check 1o of the battery and the like. The master panel 50 is then positioned onto a mounting point which may be a table, platform or ledge on the boat. The tags are removed from the dive equipment with one tag being used for each diver. Thus, if only five divers are present, there will be only five tags. The system according to the embodiment can handle up to 10 divers but this can of course vary to suit. Each tag will have information on it to identify the diver (information zone 13), the tank capacity (information zone 14) and the tank pressure (information zone 15). If this information is not provided, the divemaster will make the necessary enquiries and will write the information on the tag. The tags 10 are slid into a respective tag holder 51D-60D with one tag for each tag holder. As a tag 10 is slid into a tag holder, the magnet 41 will activate the sensor (eg 51C) which will activate the program. The program will activate display 60 and will initially prompt the divemaster to enter the tank size. For instance, display 60 will display the following information ENTER TANK SIZE. The divemaster will enter the tank size from the information provided on information zone 14 on a respective tag 10. This information is entered via the specific buttons 59. Once a button 59 is pressed, display 60 will display the tank size (capacity), i.e. 55 CUBIC FEET.

The display 60 may then state PRESS ENTER. The enter key is then depressed to enter the tank size information from the first tag. Once this information has been entered, display 60 will then ask for the tank pressure.

The tank pressure is read off information zone 15 on a respective tank and is entered into the computer via keyboard 54. The tank pressure will be WO 01/46915 PCT/AU00/01590 9 displayed on display 60. Once this information has been entered, display will ask for the dive depth. The divemaster will enter this information via keypad 54. The information will be calculated by the computer to provide a numerical value in minutes. The safety stop time can then be calculated by the computer and can be displayed on display 57 on the master panel The above steps are repeated for each diver, and therefore for each tag which is slid into a respective tag holder. As a second tag is slid into the tag holder it will activate the respective sensor to notify the computer of the existence of a second tag etc. In one form, the tags are held in the lo divemaster's hand and are inserted one by one with the above information being entered before another tag is slid into the tag holder. In another form, all the tags can be slid into the tag holder immediately and the computer will sense the existence of the number of tags and will then activate the display for the number of sensed tags.

The computer will conduct individual calculations for each tag and will keep the lowest value of each calculation.

The divers are then handed the personal devices 40 which carries the same information as the master panel 50. Each device 40 is programmed by means of the infrared scanning port or emitter 61 on master panel 50 which transmits the information through infrared receiver 63 on each device 40. The device 40 is activated immediately upon commencement of the dive. During the dive, the tags 10 are kept in the respective tag holders on the master panel. The respective clocks 56-58 are activated immediately upon commencement of the dive. An alarm (not illustrated) is provided on the master panel. The alarm is programmed to activate at a prescribed period (typically 10 minutes) before the time out (safety stop) period expires to provide a warning to the divemaster. The alarm will also sound after a prescribed period after the safety stop period expires (typically five minutes after time out) to provide a second wamrning to the divemaster. The alarm is activated by insertion of at least one tag into the tag holder. The alarm is deactivated only when the last tag has been removed from the tag holder and only if the last tag is removed prior to expiry of the prescribed period after the WO 01/46915 PCT/AU00/01590 safety stop. A manual override alarm cancelling switch is also provided.

Referring to figure 4, there is illustrated a simpler version of a diver accountability system which does not have the personal device 40 and uses write on/wipe off information. The system again consists of a dive tag 10 and a master panel 11. Dive tag 10 is formed from a rectangular plastic strip having a length of 120mm and a width of 30mm and a thickness of between 2 to 4mm. It should of course be appreciated that the size and shape of the dive tag can vary to suit. Tag 10 has a circular opening 12 which allows it to be attached to a loop of material (not shown) which allows lo the tag to be attached to a dive tank or equipment. Tag 10 is separate from the master panel.

Tag 10 is provided with three information zones on one face of the tag. One zone 13 allows the name of the diver to be written on the tag.

Second zone 14 allows the tank capacity to be written on the tag and third zone 15 allows the tank pressure to be written on the tag. This information can be written on the tag by the divemaster and the divemaster will inspect each tank to determine the capacity of the tank and the pressure in the tank.

Each tag is removed from the tank immediately before a dive and the tags are then attached to the master panel 11. In the embodiment, master panel 11 has provision for ten horizontally supported tags but this can of course vary to suit. The panel is formed with a number of projecting pins or studs 16 which can allow the tags to be supported on the master panel in a horizontal manner by being supported on studs 16.

Master panel 11 in the embodiment is a hinged board which is attachable to the vessel but can remain portable. The board contains two halves the left-hand half illustrated in Figure 4 holding the tags, while the right-hand half 17 is plain and has a top section entitled Dive Plan and a bottom section entitled Emergency Plan. Undemrneath the Emergency Plan section can be written or otherwise presented the best practice for a personal 3o emergency plan and dive site emergency plan. Under the Dive Plan section is provided a visual aid to divers for procedures within the dive and general plan, i.e. safety stop location etc. This is a write-on section used by the WO 01/46915 PCTIAU00/01590 11 divemaster with generally a waterproof pencil.

Referring again to the left-hand half of the board 18, this part of the board is provided with information zones on the board which extend horizontally and follow on from the information provided on the tag when the tag is supported on studs 16.

The board is provided with a number of columns. The leftmost column 19 is entitled Diver and when the tags 10 are slid into their respective slots, the column will list the names of all the divers currently underwater.

The next column 20 and the column after that 21 are headed Capacity and 1o Pressure and this information can be read from zones 14 and 15 on tag when the tag is slid into position. Thus, the divemaster can quickly scan to see which diver has the lowest capacity tank and/or the tank with the least pressure.

The next column 22 is a column on which the divemaster will write information. In this column, the divemaster will write what depth the dive will be. The divemaster enters the capacity and the pressure and the depth into a computing means 23 and the computing means will calculate two values being the tank air capacity in minutes, and (ii) the NDL (No Decompression Limit) in minutes which is relative to the depth. The computing means 23 will then calculate which of values or (ii) above is the shorter time and this information will be written into column 24 by the divemaster. This information can be different for each diver as the value can depend on the capacity and pressure of the tank, for instance if the capacity and the pressure of the tank in minutes is such that a diver can stay longer than the NDL, the NDL value in minutes will be written in column 24. On the other hand, if the capacity and pressure of the tank (in minutes) is less than the NDL value, the lesser time will be written in column 24.

In column 25, the divemaster will calculate and write in a value of five minutes at a calculated time before the time limit for a 3m safety stop.

The computer will store the times in its memory.

Column 26 provides information on when the divers enter the water. The calculating means can then calculate the time out and this WO 01/46915 PCT/AU00/01590 12 information is provided in column 27.

In a team situation, the divemaster will work off the lowest capacity team member and this information will be written in the Time Out column.

The board is provided with an audio alarm 28 which will activate at five minutes before the time out, or five minutes before the safety stop time, whichever is the earlier.

The board is provided with a count up or count down clock 29 and the board is powered by a battery pack (not illustrated) and/or an external power connection.

The system accounts for divers entering and exiting the water.

The system automatically calculates bottom time in minutes (bottom time being the beginning of the descent until the beginning of the final ascent or safety stop) and activates an audible warning system when divers are due to return. The system, in the embodiment, incorporates a visual dive planner and a visual emergency action planner.

Claims (14)

1. A diver accountability system which comprises a master panel and a plurality of dive tags, the dive tags being adapted for removable attachment to a diver's tank or equipment, the dive tags having a surface on which information can be given, the master panel having a plurality of tag holding means, a computing means, data entry means to allow data to be entered into the computing means, the data including tank size, tank pressure and dive depth for each diver, and display means to display at least some of the information entered by the data entry means and/or calculated by the l0 computing means.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the information on the dive tags comprises, information identifying the diver, the tank size and the tank pressure.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the tag holding means has a sensor means associated with the tag holding means such that when the tag is inserted into the tag holding means, the sensor means will sense the presence of the tag, and will send a signal to the computing means such that the computing means recognises the data being entered via the data entry means as being for that tag and therefore for that diver.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the master panel has an alarm means to provide an alarm such as an audio and/or visual alarm should a critical parameter such as a dive time have been exceeded, or is close to be exceeded.

The system of claim 4, wherein the alarm means is operatively associated with the tag holding means such that when a tag is entered into the tag holding means, the alarm is activated.

6. The system of claim 1 comprising a portable device worn by each diver and which is programmed from the master panel to contain information such as the dive time and the maximum permitted depth. 3o

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the device contains a data entry port through which information can be downloaded to the device from the master panel. WO 01/46915 PCT/AU00/01590 14

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the master panel is provided with an emitter to program the portable device. The portable device can be held next to the emitter or scanned past the emitter to download the information from the master panel to the portable device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each tag has a sensor in the form of a magnet which is sensed upon insertion of the tag into the tag holding means to activate the program on the master panel.

The system of claim 1, wherein the tags comprise elongate strips.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the tag holding means comprise elongate slots in which the tags can be slidingly inserted.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the slot has an open end provided with a sensor and the tag is provided with a magnet to trigger the sensor when the tag is inserted into the tag holding means.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the master panel is a closeable container having a lid portion and a base portion.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the lid has an internal flat surface which has a section entitled Dive Plan, and a section entitled Emergency Plan, the Emergency Plan section containing information of the best practice for a personal emergency plan and dive site emergency plan, the Dive Plan section containing a visual aid to divers for procedures within the dive and general plan. The system of claim 14, wherein the base portion comprises the tag holding means, a data entry means in the form of a keypad ,a display means in the form of a visual display which has three sections being a dive time section, a safety stop section, and a depth section each said section comprising a clock which can be a count up clock or a count down clock, a second data entry means which consists of a plurality of buttons each button corresponding to a tank size ,each button having a value displayed on the 3o button corresponding to a tank size, a second display to provide visual instructions to the divemaster on the use of the system, a computing means to calculate the various parameters such as dive time, safety stop time an WO 01/46915 PCT/AUOO/01 590 emitter to download information to a portable device worn by each dive, and an alarm.