Dive Planning 8 SECTION PAGE 8.0 GENERAL . 8- 1 8.1 DIVE PLANNING. 8- 1 8.1.1 Selection of Diving Equipment . 8- 2 8.2 DIVE TEAM ORGANIZATION . 8- 2 8.2.1 Divemaster . 8- 2 8.2.2 Diving Medical Officer/ Diving Medical Technician . 8- 3 8.2.3 Science Coordinator . 8- 3 8.2.4 Divers. 8- 3 8.2.5 Support Divers and Other Support Personnel . 8- 3 8.3 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS . 8- 3 8.3.1 Surface Environmental Conditions . 8- 3 8.3.2 Underwater Environmental Conditions . 8- 4 8.4 DIVING SIGNALS . 8- 8 8.4.1 Hand Signals . 8- 8 8.4.2 Surface-to-Diver Recall Signals . 8-11 8.4.3 Line Signals . 8-11 8.4.4 Surface Signals . 8-11 8.5 AIR CONSUMPTION RATES . 8-11 8.5.1 Determining Individual Air Utilization Rates . 8-14 8.5.2 Scuba Duration . 8-14 8.5.3 Scuba Air Requirements . 8-16 8.5.4 Surface-Supplied Air Requirements. 8-17 Dive Planning 8 8.0 GENERAL – Open-circuit scuba Diving with air as the breathing gas is conducted – Rebreathers using a variety of life-support equipment. The most fre- – Surface-supplied quently used mode is open-circuit scuba, where the diver – Hookah carries the compressed air supply. Divers can also use •Equipment and Supplies Selection umbilical-supplied air with a scuba regulator, and either a – Breathing gas, including a backup supply full-face mask or a lightweight diving helmet. This section – Dive platform and support equipment, including deals with planning for air dives, operational methods of diver/crew shelter calculating air supply requirements, personnel require- – Oxygen resuscitator and first aid kit ments, and environmental conditions. – Backboard – Dive flag 8.1 DIVE PLANNING – Diving gear, tools, etc. – Water Careful and thorough planning are the keys to con- ducting an efficient diving operation and are imperative – Communications for diver safety as well. The nature of each dive operation •Schedule of Operational Tasks for All Phases determines the scope of the planning required. The dive – Transit to the site plan should take into account the ability of the least quali- – Assembling dive gear and support equipment fied diver on the team and be flexible enough to allow for – Predive briefing delays and unforeseen problems. It should include at least – Calculating allowable/required bottom time the following: – Recovery – Cleaning, inspection, repair, and storage of gear •Definition of Objectives – Debriefing of divers and support personnel – A clear statement of the purpose and goals of the •Final Preparations and Safety Checks operation – Review of dive plan, its effect, and all safety pre- •Analysis of Pertinent Data cautions – Surface conditions, such as sea state, air tempera- – Outline diving assignments and sequence ture, and wind chill factor – Complete and post on-site emergency checklist – Underwater conditions, including water tempera- – Review diver qualifications and conditions ture, depth, type of bottom, tides and currents, – Secure permission from command or boat captain visibility, extent of pollution, and hazards for dive – Assistance and emergency information, including •Briefing/Debriefing the Diving Team location, status, and contact procedures for the – The objective and scope of the operation nearest recompression chamber, air evacuation – Conditions in the operating area team, U.S. Coast Guard, and nearest hospital – Diving techniques and equipment to be used •Diving Team Selection – Personnel assignments – Divemaster – Specific assignments for each diver – Medical personnel – Anticipated hazards – Tenders/timekeeper – Normal safety precautions – Coxswain/surface-support personnel – Any special considerations •Diving Mode Selection – Group discussion period to answer questions by – Skin (snorkeling) members of the diving team 8-1 8.1.1 Selection of Diving Equipment Umbilical-Supplied Systems The selection of the proper diving equipment depends on environmental conditions, qualifications of Generally Used For: diving personnel, objectives of the operation, and diving •Scientific investigation procedures to be used. Although most diving is per- •Ship repair and inspection formed at depths less than 130 ft. (39.6 m) and often • Salvage uses open-circuit scuba, some missions can be accom- •Long-duration scientific observation and data plished using only skin diving equipment. Other more gathering complex assignments require surface-supplied or closed- •Harsh environments (low visibility, strong currents, circuit systems. Depth and duration of the dive, ques- polluted water) tions about the type of work to be accomplished (heavy Major Advantages: work, light work, silent work), temperature of the •Long duration water, velocity and nature of current, visibility, logis- •Voice communication tics, and the diver’s experience and capabilities all influ- •Protection of diver from environment ence the selection of diving equipment. Detailed Major Disadvantages: descriptions of the various types of diving equipment •Limited mobility are presented in Chapter 5. For planning purposes, the •Significant support requirements following guidelines may be used in selecting the appro- priate diving equipment. Closed-Circuit Systems Generally Used For: Breath-Hold Diving Equipment •Observations of long duration Major Advantages: Generally Used For: •Mixed-gas capability •Scientific observation and specimen collection in •No noise or bubbles shallow water in areas where more complex equip- •Conservation of breathing medium ment is a disadvantage or is not available •Long duration •Shallow-water photography Major Disadvantages: •Scouting for diving sites •Complicated maintenance Major Advantages: •Extensive training requirements •Less physical work required to cover large surface •Cost of equipment areas •Simplified logistics 8.2 DIVE TEAM ORGANIZATION •Fewer medical/physiological complications 8.2.1 Divemaster Major Disadvantages: NOAA Divemasters have complete responsibility for the •Extremely limited in depth and duration safe and efficient conduct of all NOAA diving operations. In •Requires diver to develop breath-holding tech- order to be a NOAA Divemaster, individuals must be certi- niques fied NOAA Working Divers, or higher, and have completed •Can only be used in good sea conditions the NOAA Divemaster training program. When no divemas- ter is present, diving should not be conducted. The divemas- Open-Circuit Scuba ter’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Generally Used For: •Overall responsibility for the diving operation •Scientific observation •Safe execution of all diving •Light underwater work and recovery •Preparation of a basic plan of operation, including •Sample collection evacuation and accident management plans •Shallow-water research •Liaison with other organizations •Ship inspection and light repair •Inspection of equipment Major Advantages: •Proper maintenance, repair, and stowage of equip- •Minimum support requirements ment • Mobility •Selection, evaluation, and briefing of divers and •Accessibility and economy of equipment and other personnel breathing medium •Monitoring progress of the operation, and updating • Portability requirements as necessary • Reliability •Maintaining the diving log Major Disadvantages: •Monitoring of decompression (when required) •Lack of efficient voice communication •Coordination of boat operations when divers are in •Limited depth and duration the water 8-2 NOAA Diving Manual The divemaster is responsible for assigning all divers to The chief scientist is the prime point of contact for all an operation and for ensuring that their qualifications are scientific aspects of the program, including scientific adequate for the requirements of the dive. The divemaster equipment, its use, calibration, and maintenance. must ensure that all divers are briefed thoroughly about the Working with the divemaster, the chief scientist will mission and goals of the operation. Individual responsibili- brief divers on specific scientific tasks to be completed ties are assigned to each diver by the divemaster. Where spe- and supervise the debriefing and sample or data accumu- cial tools or techniques are to be used, the divemaster must lation after a dive. ensure that each diver is familiar with their application. Training and proficiency dives should be made to 8.2.4 Divers ensure safe and efficient operations. During complex opera- Although the divemaster is responsible for the overall tions or those involving a large number of divers, divemas- diving operation, the diver is responsible for being in ters should perform no diving, but should, instead, devote proper physical condition, for checking out personal their efforts entirely to directing the operation. equipment before the dive, and for thoroughly under- The divemaster is in charge when divers are in the standing the purpose and the procedures to be used for the water during diving operations. Before any change is made dive. The diver is also responsible for refusing to dive to the boat’s propulsion system (e.g., change in speed, when conditions are unsafe, when not in good mental or direction, etc.), the boat captain must consult with the physical condition, or when diving would violate dictates divemaster. of their training or applicable standards. 8.2.2 Diving Medical Officer/Diving Medical 8.2.5 Support Divers and Other Support Personnel Technician In most diving operations, the number and types of When it is not practical to have a qualified diving med- support divers depend on the size of the operation and the ical officer on site, a Diving Medical Technician trained in type