Chemical Contamination

CHAPTER 6 — Operational Planning Change A 6-19 2. Avoid wearing a hood with a dive skin to allow evaporative cooling. 3. When possible avoid wearing dive skin or anti-chafing dress. Although the effect of various diver dress is not known, it is expected that safe exposure durations at temperatures above 96⁰F will be less. 4. Follow the guidelines in para 3-12.3.2 regarding acclimatization. Reduce the intensity of the diving for five days immediately prior to the diving operation. 5. Ensure divers maintain physical conditioning during periods of warm water diving. 6. Methods of cooling the diver should be employed whenever possible. These include using hot water suits to supply cold water to the diver and the use of ice vests. Mission planning should also include recognition and management of heat stress injuries as part of pre-dive training and briefing. The diver and topside personnel shall be particularly alert for the symptoms of heat stress. Further guidance is contained in paragraph 3-12.3 (Excessive Heat - Hyperthermia), paragraph 3-12.4 (Dehydration), and paragraph 19-7 (Thermal Stress), and Figure 7-6 (Oxygen Consumption and RMV at Different Work Rates). 6-6.4 Contaminated Water. When planning for contaminated water diving, medical personnel should be consulted to ensure proper predive precautions are taken and postdive monitoring of divers is conducted. In planning for operations in waters known to be polluted, protective clothing and appropriate preventative medical procedures shall be taken. Diving equipment shall be selected that gives the diver maximum protection consistent with the threat. Resources outside the scope of this manual may be required to deal with nuclear, biological, or chemical contami- nants. Resources and technical advice for dealing with contaminated water diving conditions are available through NAVSEA 00C3. 6-6.5 Chemical Contamination. Oil leaking from underwater wellheads or damaged tanks can foul equipment and seriously impede a diver’s movements. Toxic mate- rials or volatile fuels leaking from barges or tanks can irritate the skin and corrode equipment. Diving units should not conduct the dive until the contaminant has been identified, the safety factors evaluated, and a process for decontamination set up. Contact NAVSEA 00C3 for further guidance and assistance. Divers operating in waters where a chemical or chemical warfare threat is known or suspected shall evaluate the threat and protect themselves as appropriate. The MK 21 UBA with a double exhaust and a dry suit dress assembly affords limited protection for diving in polluted and contaminated water. Refer to the MK 21 UBA NAVSEA Technical Manual, S6560-AG-OMP-010-UBA-MK21/1 for more information on using the MK 21 UBA with a dry suit assembly. 6-6.6 Biological Contamination. A diver working near sewer outlets may be exposed to biological hazards. Scuba divers are especially vulnerable to ear and skin infec- tions when diving in waters that contain biological contamination. Divers may