Information about the role of an underwater search dive attendant, including the role purpose, key responsibilities and the skills required.
About the role
An underwater search dive attendant is a specialist operations position within the operational support sector of policing. It's a service deliverer role in the policing professional profiles.
Role purpose
The role of the underwater search dive attendant is to oversee diver and equipment readiness, conduct in-water monitoring and facilitate continuous communication between the underwater search diver and underwater search dive supervisor, including escalating concerns or irregularities, to ensure safety and operational integrity.
Key responsibilities
Key responsibility statements show the accountabilities for someone in this role. They focus on what is done, not how it is done.
- Overseeing preparations of the underwater search diver and equipment and verifying that all diving equipment is correctly assembled, tested and fitted to the diver before entering the water to ensure safety and compliance with the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Approved Code of Practice L104 - Commercial diving projects inland/inshore.
- Conducting systematic in-water checks by monitoring the ongoing functionality of equipment and the underwater search diver's condition, to maintain operational safety and readiness of the underwater search operation.
- Conducting the correct fitting and continuous monitoring of the underwater search diver's lifeline, by ensuring it remains correctly attached, tensioned and unobstructed, to maintain effective control, communication and emergency response capability.
- Facilitating communication between the underwater search diver and the underwater search dive supervisor by relaying clear and accurate instructions, updates and alerts, to ensure safety and legal compliance.
- Supporting the underwater search dive supervisor by assisting with first aid administration and casualty evacuation and recovery to ensure effective emergency procedures are in place for the duration of the underwater search operation.
Competencies, values and core skills
The competency and values framework (CVF) provides clear expectations for everyone working in policing. It describes the behaviours required by police officers and staff to be effective in their roles and uphold the Code of Ethics for policing.
Competencies
The CVF has six competencies, which are split into levels. These levels can be used flexibly to allow for a better fit with frontline and non-frontline policing roles, and at different levels of seniority. This ensures that there is consistency throughout all the policing professional profiles. Some roles may contain different CVF levels due to the specialist nature of the role. Those working at higher levels should also fulfil the requirements of the lower levels.
This role should be operating at or working towards the following competencies.
- We are emotionally aware – Level 1: practitioner
- We take ownership – Level 1: practitioner
- We collaborate – Level 1: practitioner
- We support and inspire – Level 1: practitioner
- We analyse critically – Level 1: practitioner
- We are innovative and open-minded – Level 1: practitioner
Values
The CVF has three values that apply to everyone in policing, regardless of their role or seniority.
Core skills
All roles in policing have nine core skills in common. These are split into levels that represent the different levels of policing. This role should be operating at or working towards the following core skills.
- Communicating and influencing – Level 1
- Problem solving – Level 1
- Performance management – Level 1
- Relationship management – Level 1
- Change management – Level 1
- Managing people – Level 1
- Managing resources – Level 1
- Planning – Level 1
- Use of IT – Level 1
Education, qualifications and experience
Previous education, qualifications and experience
- Prior diving or dive attendant qualifications are not essential.
In-role education, qualifications and experience
For existing police divers, there are no additional requirements before being authorised to undertake the role of underwater search dive attendant.
Where an existing external diving certification is held, the following must be obtained before being authorised to undertake the role of an underwater search dive attendant:
- hold or obtain an in-date enhanced first aid certificate
- all qualifications and certifications will be subject to review and assessment by a National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC)-approved diving school, with additional underwater search diver training required to achieve operational qualification
Where no existing external diving certification is held, successful achievement of the following qualifications must be obtained before being authorised to undertake the role of underwater search dive attendant:
- successfully complete the underwater search dive attendant course at an NPCC-approved diving school
- obtain an enhanced first aid certificate
Continuing professional development
Continuing professional development (CPD) enables everyone in policing to develop and gain recognition for their professional skills, knowledge and competence. CPD ensures that we continue to provide high-quality policing to keep the public safe and help to drive career aspirations. Discussion of CPD is usually included as part of professional development review (PDR) conversations.
Learning and accreditation
In addition to meeting all HSE statutory requirements, the following training and registration requirements should be maintained to ensure operational competence and effective performance in the role.
- Ensuring that no period of police diving inactivity exceeds 90 days.
- Undertaking CPD at least once every six months.
- Complete all core training and learning as required by the force.
- Any exemptions to learning and accreditation requirements are at chief constable discretion, in line with the local force policy.
Professional development
This role should consider the following CPD:
- maintaining currency of knowledge and understanding regarding changes to legislation, national policy and guidance applicable to police underwater search
- maintaining currency of knowledge and understanding regarding new and innovative approaches to underwater search, as identified by evidence-based policing research and problem-solving
Related roles
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