TIPS FOR CREATING
A SAFE LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT

NOISE

A noisy classroom is not conducive to learning. Make sure your students have a quiet environment in which to concentrate, especially when they are learning skills that are vital to keeping themselves and others safe in the water. Noise can come from many sources in a dive shop, including the compressor, venting gases, cylinder filling, traffic, and human interaction. Ideally, the noise level in the classroom should be kept to around 65 decibels when no one is talking and all appliances are off. For reference, a wall- unit air conditioner is around 60 decibels, and normal conversation is around 65.

1. Start by measuring the noise level in the classroom with your equipment operating as normal. If you don’t have a sound level monitor or decibel meter, download an app on your phone or tablet. There are several available including Decibel X: dB Sound Level Meter, NIOSH Sound Level Meter, and Decibel X PRO: dBA Noise Meter.
2. Use the following chart to measure the noise level in your classroom. Document your measurement for future refence.
3. If the noise level in your classroom measures higher than 65, here are a few changes that might make a difference: Remove noisy equipment such as a refrigerator or a loud fish-tank pump.
4. Ensure that classroom sessions are conducted when compressors and other machinery are not running. Place sound-dampening materials such as curtains or sound-absorbing panels between the classroom and the sources of the noise.
5. Post signs asking people to not congregate outside the classroom.
6. Change out windows or install block-out panels to reduce outside road noise.

ACCEPTABLE NOISE LEVELS

RECOMMENDATIONS

AREAS OR SOURCES	dB(A)	DURATION
Quiet rooms (e.g. sleeping areas)	40	Indefinite
Classrooms, retail areas, offices	65	Eventual fatigue
Compressor, filling and blending areas	85	8 hours
Large, unsilenced compressors	95	1 hour
Noisy areas (e.g., generator areas)	100	15 minutes
Safety valves, venting HP lines	110	1.5 minutes
Unacceptably noisy areas	120	9 seconds

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LIGHTING

Proper lighting is important for learning, even if electronic learning materials are being used. Improper lighting can cause eye strain, headaches, and glare on screens, all of which infringe on students’ ability to concentrate and effectively learn. Lighting is measured in lux and can be measured with an inexpensive meter or phone app, although apps are not as accurate. Ideally, classrooms should be kept at 250 – 500 lux. If your classroom seems dim, try brightening it up by painting the walls a lighter color, taking steps to reduce glare, and cleaning walls or surfaces.

1. As with noise, begin by measuring the lighting levels in the classroom under normal learning conditions. If you don’t own a light meter, you can download a mobile app such as Lux Light Meter Pro or Lumu Light Meter.
2. Use the following chart to determine the lighting level in your classroom. Document your measurement for future refence.
3. If the lighting in the classroom falls below the suggested range, you can add natural light by unblocking or installing windows or skylights, adding low-energy light fixtures, painting the classroom with a lighter color or using light-deflecting panels to better utilize natural or existing light.
4. If the room is brighter than recommended, you can block out windows or hang light-blocking curtains, reduce the intensity of room lighting by using lower-lux lamps or installing dimmer switches, or paint a wall or surface that is reflecting too much light a darker color.

ACCEPTABLE LIGHTING LEVELS

AREAS	RECOMMENDED MINIMUMS	SUGGESTED RANGES
Classrooms	200 LUX	200 – 500
Retail shops	100 lux	100 –150
Offices	300 lux	300 –500
Compressor, filling and blending areas	200 lux	200 –500
Storage rooms	150 lux	150 –500
Instrument workshops	250 lux	250 –500
Precision work areas	750 lux	750 –1,500
Changing rooms	100 lux	100 –150
Equipment washing areas	100 lux	100 –150
Halls (passages)	75 lux	75 –100
Video labs	100 lux	100 –150
Photo labs	150 lux	150 –200

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