Guidance: Diving and Jumping into Water

GUIDANCE

This guidance note discusses the standards for diving, jumping, and falling into the water. The standards are broadly applicable across all water settings. 

What legislation must be considered when diving, jumping, or falling into the water? 

• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 sets out the general duties concerning risk assessment and the adequacy of control measures
• The Occupiers Liability Act 1957 sets out the general duty of occupiers to provide reasonably safe premises for guests
• The Occupiers Liability Act 1984 sets out the general duty towards trespassers
• The Diving at Work Regulations 1997 applies to those who dive for work
• The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 applies to diving or snorkelling in open water, rivers and the sea
• The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 applies to UK overseas travellers who purchase a package holiday

What guidance is available? 

For diving, jumping, and falling into the water: 

• HSE. 2018. Health and safety in swimming pools. HSG179, 4th edition (paragraphs 105 and 151-155)
• EN 15288:2018. Swimming pools for public use - Safety requirements for design
• BSAC. Web. Safe diving guide. Available at: https://www.bsac.com/safety/safe-diving-guide/ accessed 17th January 2021
• BSAC. Web. Risk assessment guidelines for swimming pools. Available at https://www.bsac.com/advice-and-support/dive-planning/risk-assessments/conducting-a-risk-assessment/ accessed 17th January 2021
• ISRM. 2001. Diving and jumping in swimming pools and open water areas. 2nd edition
• Swim England. Advice on jumping into shallow water in swimming pools. June 2017
• Swim England. 2017. The competitive start awards. June 2017
• Swim England. 2017. Water depths and activities that can take place at different depths. June 2017
• FINA. 2017. Facilities rules. Part X
• PADI. 2023. Continue learning. Available at https://www.padi.com/education/continue-learning accessed 23rd January 2021
• BS EN ISO 25649-6:2017. Floating leisure articles for use on and in the water. Part 6: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for Class D devices
• BS EN ISO 25649-5:2017. Floating leisure articles for use on and in the water. Part 5: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for Class C devices

For commercial scuba diving or snorkelling services: 

• EN ISO 24802-1:2014. Recreational diving services. Requirements for the training of scuba instructors. Level 1
• EN ISO 24802-2:2014. Recreational diving services. Requirements for the training of scuba instructors. Level 2 
• EN ISO 24801-3:2014. Recreational diving services. Requirements for the training of recreational scuba divers. Level 3. Dive leader
• EN ISO 24801-1:2014. Recreational diving services. Requirements for the training of recreational scuba divers. Level 1. Supervised diver
• EN ISO 24801-2:2014. Recreational diving services. Requirements for the training of recreational scuba divers. Level 2. Autonomous diver
• ISO 13970:2011. Recreational diving services. Requirements for the training of recreational snorkelling guides
• ISO 13289:2011. Recreational diving services. Requirements for the conduct of snorkelling excursions
• EN ISO 11121:2017. Recreational diving services. Requirements for introductory programmes to scuba diving
• EN ISO 24803:2017. Recreational diving services. Requirements for recreational diving providers
• EN ISO 21417:2019. Recreational diving services. Requirements for training on environmental awareness for recreational divers
• EN ISO 21416:2019. Recreational diving services. Requirements and guidance on environmentally sustainable practices in recreational diving

For diving at work: 

• Commercial diving projects offshore. The Diving at Work Regulations 1997. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance - L103
• Commercial diving projects inland/inshore. The Diving at Work Regulations 1997. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance - L104
• Recreational diving projects. The Diving at Work Regulations 1997. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance - L105
• Media diving projects. The Diving at Work Regulations 1997. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance - L106
• Scientific and Archaeological diving projects. The Diving at Work Regulations 1997. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance - L107

In respect of diving equipment: 

• EN 14225-2:2017. Diving suits. Drysuits. Requirements and test methods
• EN 14225-1:2017. Diving suits. Wet suits. Requirements and test methods
• EN 16805:2015. Diving equipment. Diving mask. Requirements and test methods
• EN 16804:2015. Diving equipment. Diving open heel fins. Requirements and test methods
• EN 1972:2015. Diving equipment. Snorkels. Requirements and test methods
• EN 12628:1999. Diving accessories. Combined buoyancy and rescue devices. Functional and safety requirements, test methods
• EN 13451-10:2018. Swimming pool equipment. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for diving platforms, diving springboards and associated equipment

What factors affect whether diving, jumping, or falling into the water is safe? 

• The competency of the diver/jumper
• The type of dive/jump may affect the adequacy of the water depth
• Whether the entry is head first, feet first, or uncontrolled
• Whether the bottom is visible from the side
• The topography of the bottom
• Likelihood of obstructions in the target zone for diving/jumping
• Whether the entry is from a height such as a diving board or springboard
• Whether aerial acrobatics is involved

Swim England guidance on suitable water depths for diving, jumping or falling into the water

Activities suitable where water depth is less than 1 metre: 

• For adults with toddlers requiring water familiarisation and confidence, 0.2-0.6 metres is suitable
• For small children learning to swim, 0.4-0.6 metres is suitable
• For older children and adults learning to swim, 0.9 meters is suitable
• For general swimming, 0.9 meters is suitable
• For mini water polo, 0.9 metres is suitable

Activities suitable where the water depth is between 1 and 1.5 metres: 

• For competitive swimming training and events, 1.0 metres is suitable, provided those performing racing starts hold a "Competitive Start Award". 
• For entry from a starting block, 1.2 metres is suitable
• For swimming with floating play equipment, 1.0 metres is suitable
• For exercise classes in the water, 0.9 metres is suitable
• For lane swimming, 0.9 meters is suitable
• For adults with spinal conditions, 1.2 metres is suitable
• For octopush, 1.2 metres is suitable

Activities suitable only for deep water 1.5 metres plus: 

• For teaching shallow dives and racing starts, 1.8 metres is suitable
• For low-level synchronised swimming training, 1.8 metres is suitable
• For advanced synchronised swimming training, 2.4 meters is suitable
• For water polo training and low-level competitions, 1.8 metres is suitable
• For snorkelling and sub-aqua, 1.5 metres is suitable
• For canoe practice, 1.5 metres is suitable
• For lifesaving practice, 1.8 metres is suitable

Citation. Jacklin, D. 2023. Guidance on diving and jumping. Water Incident Research Hub, 7 August; updated 19 August.