The Divers Alert Network Europe has awarded the Swiss Lifesaving Society (SSS) – Lugano Section a brand-new underwater safety certification.
The HIRA3 certification was officially presented during a public conference held last July 25th in Lugano, Switzerland.
The certification comes as a result of several years of collaboration between DAN Europe and SSS Lugano, covering all aspects of management of a diving center and focused on risk reduction and mitigation: first aid training, use of appropriate emergency equipment, operational procedures, emergency action plans, and more, according to DAN.
Guy Thomas, Director of Safety at DAN Europe, said:
“Despite recent technological development within the industry and the use of increasingly high-performance and safe equipment, diving accidents continue to happen. An organised risk management, as it happens in the aerospace and health sectors, does not currently exist in the diving industry. Our HIRA program aims to fill at least part of this gap. Here at SSS Lugano I found an optimal management of underwater operations, well-formulated procedures and effective control mechanisms. I would like to express my compliments to those who have worked hard over the past years to achieve this certification. We will continue to work in partnership with them so that we continue to build on these achievements.”
SSS Lugano Technical Commissioner and Deputy Chief of Operations Patrick Tempobono said:
“I did my best to increase the safety standards within our organization, trying to follow step by step what is required by the HIRA program. This allowed to obtain the first certification in 2018, the second in 2019, and the third and highest now. We are very proud to be the first rescue organization to receive this prestigious certification. Safety is something that should not be underestimated, and every single aspect must be taken care of. Nothing can be left to chance, and it is crucial to have up-to-date procedures and EAPs (Emergency Action Plans). During the inspection, every little detail was checked, every procedure verified. It was great to receive a feedback on all these aspects, knowing why we should abide to rules, and what could happen if this was not done. I would like to thank the whole SSS Lugano committee, instructors, pilots, divers and freedivers for their precious collaboration in achieving this certification. I also hope other diving operations will follow this example, contributing to diver safety.”