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Code of Federal Regulations Title 46. Shipping § 46.197.410 Dive procedures

Current as of October 02, 2022 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(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—

(A) The investigation;

(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.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Code of Federal Regulations Title 46. Shipping § 46.197.410 Dive procedures - last updated October 02, 2022 | https://codes.findlaw.com/cfr/title-46-shipping/cfr-sect-46-197-410/

Read this complete Code of Federal Regulations Title 46. Shipping § 46.197.410 Dive procedures on Westlaw

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