Current through November 30, 2024
Section 197.410 - Dive procedures(a) The diving supervisor shall insure that-(1) Before commencing diving operations, dive team members are briefed on- (i) The tasks to be undertaken;(ii) Any unusual hazards or environmental conditions likely to affect the safety of the diving operation; and(iii) Any modifications to the operations manual or procedures including safety procedures necessitated by the specific diving operation;(2) The breathing gas supply systems, masks, helmets, thermal protection, when provided, and bell lifting equipment, when a bell is provided or required, are inspected prior to each diving operation;(3) Each diver is instructed to report any physical problems or physiological effects including aches, pains, current illnesses, or symptoms of decompression sickness prior to each dive;(4) A depth, bottom time profile, including any breathing mixture changes, is maintained at the dive location for each diver during the dive, except that SCUBA divers shall maintain their own profiles;(5) A two-way voice communication system is used between-(i) Each surface-supplied diver and a dive team member at the dive location or bell (when provided); and(ii) The bell (when provided) and the dive location;(6) A two-way communication system is available at the dive location to obtain emergency assistance;(7) After the completion of each dive- (i) The physical condition of the diver is checked by-(A) Visual observation; and(B) Questioning the diver about his physical well-being;(ii) The diver is instructed to report any physical problems or adverse physiological effects including aches, pains, current illnesses, or symptoms of decompression sickness or gas embolism;(iii) The diver is advised of the location of an operational decompression chamber; and(iv) The diver is alerted to the potential hazards of flying after diving;(8) For any dive outside the no-decompression limits, deeper than 130 fsw, or using mixed-gas as a breathing mixture- (i) A depth, time, decompression profile including breathing mixture changes is maintained for each diver at the dive location;(ii) The diver is instructed to remain awake and in the vicinity of the dive location decompression chamber for at least one hour after the completion of a dive, decompression, or treatment; and(iii) A dive team member, other than the diver, is trained and available to operate the decompression chamber; and(9) When decompression sickness or gas embolism is suspected or symptoms are evident, a report is completed containing-(i) The investigation for each incident including-(A) The dive and decompression profiles;(B) The composition, depth, and time of breathing mixture changes;(C) A description of the symptoms including depth and time of onset; and(D) A description and results of the treatment;(ii) The evaluation for each incident based on-(B) Consideration of the past performance of the decompression table used; and(C) Individual susceptibility; and(iii) The corrective action taken, if necessary, to reduce the probability of recurrence.(b) The diving supervisor shall ensure that the working interval of a dive is terminated when he so directs or when-(1) A diver requests termination;(2) A diver fails to respond correctly to communications or signals from a dive team member;(3) Communications are lost and cannot be quickly reestablished between- (i) The diver and a dive team member at the dive location; or(ii) The person-in-charge and the diving supervisor during liveboating operations; or(4) A diver begins to use his diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply.CGD 76-009, 43 FR 53683, Nov. 16, 1978, as amended by USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58289 , Sept. 29, 2014