Diving Safe Practices Manual
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Diving Safe Practices Manual Underwater Inspection Program U.S. Department of the Interior February 2021 Mission Statements The Department of the Interior conserves and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people, provides scientific and other information about natural resources and natural hazards to address societal challenges and create opportunities for the American people, and honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities to help them prosper. The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Diving Safe Practices Manual Underwater Inspection Program Prepared by R. L. Harris (September 2006) Regional Dive Team Leader and Chair Reclamation Diving Safety Advisory Board Revised by Reclamation Diving Safety Advisory Board (February 2021) Diving Safe Practices Manual Contents Page Contents .................................................................................................................................. iii 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Use of this Manual ............................................................................................. 1 1.2 Diving Safety ...................................................................................................... 1 2 Diving Policy ............................................................................................................. 3 2.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................ 3 2.2 Regulatory Requirements and Operational Control for Underwater Inspection Program ........................................................................................... 3 2.3 Reclamation Diving Safety Advisory Board .................................................. 3 2.3.1 RDSAB Functions ...................................................................................... 4 2.4 Scope and Objectives ........................................................................................ 4 2.5 Regional Diving Advisory Committee ............................................................ 6 2.5.1 RDAC Functions ........................................................................................ 6 3 Diving Responsibilities ............................................................................................ 9 3.1 Regional Dive Team Leader ............................................................................. 9 3.2 Dive Supervisor ................................................................................................ 10 3.3 Journeyman Diver ............................................................................................ 11 3.4 Diver .................................................................................................................. 11 3.5 Dive Tenders .................................................................................................... 12 4 Diver Qualifications ............................................................................................... 13 4.1 Training and Experience ................................................................................. 13 4.1.1 Entry Level Training ................................................................................. 14 4.1.2 Checkout Dive ........................................................................................... 14 4.1.3 Dive Rescue Training ............................................................................... 14 4.1.4 Advanced Training .................................................................................... 14 4.1.4.1 Required Periodic Diving-Related Training ................................. 14 4.1.5 First Aid and CPR Training ..................................................................... 14 4.1.6 Oxygen Provider Training ....................................................................... 14 4.2 Documentation of Diver Training and Qualifications ............................... 14 4.2.1 Drug Testing .............................................................................................. 15 4.2.2 Lightweight Surface Supplied Air (SSA) Diving ................................... 15 4.3 Maintaining Eligibility as Reclamation Diver .............................................. 16 4.3.1 Dive Proficiency ........................................................................................ 16 4.3.2 Training ...................................................................................................... 16 4.3.3 Physical Fitness and Endurance.............................................................. 16 4.3.4 Degree of Suitability ................................................................................. 16 4.3.5 Good Judgment ......................................................................................... 16 4.3.6 Suspension ................................................................................................. 16 iii 5 Medical Surveillance of Divers ............................................................................. 17 5.1 Dive Medical Policy ......................................................................................... 17 5.2 Dive Medical Surveillance............................................................................... 18 5.2.1 Frequency of Diving Physical Exams .................................................... 18 5.2.2 Pre-Exam Information Requirements ................................................... 18 5.2.3 Minimum Exam Content ......................................................................... 18 5.2.4 Medical Contraindications to Diving and Hyperbaric Exposures ..... 20 5.3 Documentation of Physical Examinations ................................................... 21 5.4 Medical Removal or Suspension from Diving ............................................ 21 5.5 Medical Recordkeeping Requirements ......................................................... 22 6 Dive Planning, Basic Guidelines, and Safety ...................................................... 23 6.1 Dive Hazard Analysis ...................................................................................... 23 6.1.1 Job Hazard Analysis ................................................................................. 24 6.2 Dive Planning ................................................................................................... 24 6.2.1 Operational Objectives ............................................................................ 25 6.2.2 Dive Site Description ............................................................................... 25 6.2.3 Diving Mode Selection ............................................................................. 25 6.2.4 Safety Stop ................................................................................................. 26 6.2.5 Air (Gas) Supply Requirements .............................................................. 26 6.2.6 Planned Thermal Protection ................................................................... 26 6.2.7 Diving Equipment and Systems and Required Support Equipment. 26 6.2.8 Dive Team Assignments and Responsibilities ...................................... 27 6.2.9 Decompression.......................................................................................... 27 6.2.10 Emergency Procedures ........................................................................... 27 6.2.10.1 Evacuation Procedures and Recompression Treatment Procedures ........................................................................................................ 27 6.2.10.2 Diving First Aid Kits and Emergency Oxygen Delivery System .......................................................................................................... 28 6.2.10.3 General Emergency Procedures .................................................. 28 6.3 Pre-Mobilization and Dive Guidelines ......................................................... 28 6.3.1 Diver Briefing ............................................................................................ 28 6.3.2 Equipment Inspection .............................................................................. 29 6.3.3 Warning Flags and Marking Dive Locations ........................................ 29 6.4 General Diving Requirements and Guidelines ............................................ 29 6.4.1 Water Entry and Exit ............................................................................... 29 6.4.2 Confined Space or Ladder Entry ............................................................ 30 6.4.3 Communications ....................................................................................... 30 6.4.4 Dive Log ..................................................................................................... 30 6.4.5 Air Decompression Policy ....................................................................... 31 6.5 Post-Dive Requirements and Guidelines ..................................................... 31 6.5.1 Physical Condition Check ........................................................................ 31 6.5.2 Flying after Diving