Assistance and Emergencies

CHAPTER 6 — Operational Planning Change A 6-41 Checklist (Figure 6-19a), Ship Repair Safety Checklist for Diving (Figure 6-20a) and the Surface-Supplied Diving Operations Predive Checklist (Figure 6-21a) support control of diving operations. These checklists may be tailored to specific missions and environmental circumstances. 6-12.4 Assignment of Personnel. All personnel assignments shall be reviewed and veri- fied to ensure properly trained personnel are assigned to operations. 6-12.5 Assistance and Emergencies. In any diving operation, three types of assistance may be required: 1. Additional equipment, personnel, supplies, or services 2. Clarification, authorization, or decisions from higher command 3. Emergency assistance in the event of an accident or serious illness Unexpected developments or emergency situations may be accompanied by confusion. The source and availability of any needed assistance and the method for obtaining it as quickly as possible, shall be determined in advance. The loca- tion of the nearest recompression chamber shall be identified and the chamber operators notified before the operation begins. The sources of emergency transpor- tation, military or civilian, shall be established and alerted and the nearest Diving Medical Officer should be located and notified. Arrangements must be made to ensure a 24-hour availability for emergency assistance. When a recompression chamber is required by Figure 6-14, the chamber shall be currently certified and within 30 minutes’ travel time from the dive site. If a recompression chamber is required in an emergency, a non-certified chamber may be used if the Diving Supervisor is of the opinion that it is safe to operate. Figure 6-22 is a suggested format for the Emergency Assistance Checklist that shall be completed and posted at the diving station to provide necessary informa- tion so that any member of the team could take prompt action. 6-12.5.1 Notification of Ship's Personnel. In the event of a diving casualty or mishap on dive station, calm must be maintained. Maintain silence on the side and take orders from the Diving Officer, Master Diver, and/or Diving Supervisor. 6-12.5.2 Fouling and Entrapment. Fouling and entrapment are more common with surface-supplied gear than scuba because of the ease with which the umbilicals can become entangled. Divers shall be particularly careful and watch their own umbilicals and those of their partners as well. The surface-supplied diver may become fouled more easily, but will usually have an ample air supply while working to get free. The scuba diver may have no other recourse but to remove the gear and make a free ascent. If trapped, the scuba diver must face the possibility of running out of air before being able to work free.