Diver Tender Responsibilities

CHAPTER 6 — Operational Planning Change A 6-35 dive, and is fully prepared to respond if called upon for assistance. The scuba standby diver shall be equipped with an octopus rig. 6-9.8.2 Deploying the Standby Diver as a Working Diver. The standby diver may be de- ployed as a working diver provided all of the following conditions are met: 1. Surface-supplied no-decompression dive of 60 fsw or less. 2. Same job/location, e.g., working on port and starboard propellers on the same vessel: Prior to deploying the standby diver, the work area shall be determined to be free of hazards (i.e., suctions, discharges) by the first diver on the job site. When working in ballast tanks or confined spaces, the standby diver may be deployed as a working diver, but both divers shall be tended by a third diver who is outside the confined space (also see paragraph 6-4.9). NOTE The standby diver shall remain on deck ready for deployment when salvage operations diving is being done. 6-9.9 Buddy Diver. A buddy diver is the diver’s partner for a scuba operation. The buddy divers are jointly responsible for the assigned mission. Each diver keeps track of depth and time during the dive. Each diver shall watch out for the safety and well-being of his buddy and shall be alert for symptoms of nitrogen narcosis, decompression sickness, and carbon dioxide build up. A diver shall keep his buddy within sight and not leave his buddy alone except to obtain additional assis- tance in an emergency. If visibility is limited, a buddy line shall be used to maintain contact and communication. If scuba divers get separated and cannot locate each other, both divers shall surface immediately. 6-9.10 Diver Tender. 6-9.10.1 Diver Tender Responsibilities. The tender is the surface member of the diving team who works closely with the diver on the bottom. At the start of a dive, the tender checks the diver’s equipment and topside air supply for proper operation and dresses the diver. Once the diver is in the water, the tender constantly tends the lines to eliminate excess slack or tension (certain UWSH tasking may preclude this requirement, e.g., working in submarine ballast tanks, shaft lamination, dry habitat welding, etc.). The tender exchanges line-pull signals with the diver, keeps the Diving Supervisor informed of the line-pull signals and amount of diving hose/ tending line over the side and remains alert for any signs of an emergency. 6-9.10.2 Diver Tender Qualifications. The tender should be a qualified diver. When circumstances require the use of a non-diver as a tender, the Diving Supervisor shall ensure that the tender has been thoroughly instructed in the required duties. If a substitute tender shall be employed during an operation, the Diving Supervisor must make certain that the substitute is adequately briefed before assuming duties.