Blue Water Diving Blue Water Diving Guidelines Editor, John Heine A California Sea Grant College Program Publication No. T-CSGCP-014

Purpose The purpose of this discussion is to introduce you to the basic procedures and concerns of blue water diving.

Learning Objectives Describe conditions in which blue water diving takes place. Discuss general procedures and concerns for blue water diving activities. Describe a blue water diving rig.

Main Points Definition of Blue Water Diving Extension of the buddy system Depth control in an environment with no reference points Surface platforms Task distribution Management of scientific equipment Emergency procedures

Definition Blue water Diving is a specialized diving activity often conducted in clear water with no functional bottom and no reference points for determining depth.

Extension of the buddy system Single “Safety Diver” –Responsible for the overall safe execution of the dive –Communicates with working divers via safety tethers attached to a “Ring” or “trapeze” –Visibility issues –Pre-arranged signals

Controlling Depth Importance –Safety –Working at desired depth in the water column Reference Point –Down Line Attached to the boat Depths marked at regular intervals “Trapeze” or “Ring” attached at appropriate depth

Controlling Depth Management Issues –Wind Moves the boat and drags the down line –Waves/Swells Jerks the line up and down

Surface Platforms Size of vessel –Large boats Windage issues Maneuverability issues –Small boats Inadequate space to accommodate divers and gear Safety Gear Boat operator qualifications –Helpful if the operator is a diver

Divisions of Tasks Safety Diver –Responsible for the continuation of the dive –Monitor depth and condition each of the divers –Monitor and manage tethers –Scan water for hazards –Monitor environmental conditions Working divers –4-5 maximum (condition dependent) –Perform scientific tasks –Scan water as scientific task permits –Monitor self –Monitor other divers as scientific task permits –Terminate dive if it becomes unsafe

Equipment Management Individual flotation devices for each item Neutrally buoyant at working depth Attached to same down line as divers –Attached as the down line is deployed –Attached above the safety diver and trapeze –Avoids entanglement issues Separate down line for gear

Emergency Management Communication protocols set in advance Strategies for –Predators Safety diver recalls the group to the down line Group ascends together facing outward –Weather –Diver Accidents –Equipment issues

Diving Procedures Will vary based on environmental conditions and scientific objectives Entry into the water –Divers gear up in the boat, attach the safety tether and drop the safety line overboard behind them –Divers enter the water & swim to the surface buoy –Boat operator keeps the surface line slack

Diving Procedures Descent –Divers descend as a group to a depth of approx. 10 feet, and clip into the tether lines on the Trapeze/Ring –Divers descend as a group to the working depth –Safety diver attaches the trapeze to the down line and clips in to the trapeze –Divers go to work

Diving Procedures Dive termination –May go up in pairs or as a group –Release the diver safety line and ascend the down line –Divers regroup at the surface float –Divers exit the water

Summary (Finally) Blue water diving is a specialized activity that requires meticulous planning, strong dive skills and teamwork. Pre-Dive planning must include (at a minimum) –Extension of the buddy system –Depth control in an environment with no reference points –Surface platforms –Mission protocols and task distribution –Management of scientific equipment –Emergency procedures –Diving procedures