Snorkel and dive safety for Lunar New Year

Issued: 24/01/2020
Last Updated: 24/01/2020

Lunar New Year is one of the busiest times of year for Queensland's dive and snorkel industry. Many people are visiting the Great Barrier Reef and other destinations to dive or snorkel, often for the first time.

Dive and snorkel tour operators should consider the following to ensure the safety of their customers:

• Increase the number of dedicated lookouts and in-water guides.
• Enhance lookout scanning techniques by rotating duties and ensuring lookouts are able to focus on supervision without distractions.
• Advise all visitors to snorkel with flotation devices.
• Arrange additional guided snorkelling tours and buddy pairs.
• Assess and identify 'at risk' (i.e. age, health, swimming ability) snorkelers and provide them with additional supervision.
• Ensure there are guides or interpreters available at the diving and snorkelling sites to help with advice and queries.
• Prepare and distribute translated information on diving and snorkel safety. WHSQ has translated advice for divers and snorkellers in 15 languages including both simplified and traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
• Review and rehearse emergency procedures including rescue and first aid.

Further information

For more snorkel safety tips, sample emergency plans or to download a copy of Snorkel safety: a guide for workers (PDF, 3.3 MB)  visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au or call 1300 362 128 for more information.