iv
U.S. Navy Diving Manual
WARNING
Hyperventilation is dangerous and can lead to unconsciousness and
death. (Page 3-20)
WARNING
Never do a forceful Valsalva maneuver during descent or ascent. During
descent, this action can result in alternobaric vertigo or a round or oval
window rupture. During ascent, this action can result in a pulmonary
overinflation syndrome. (Page 3-23)
WARNING
Do not use a malfunctioning compressor to pump diver’s breathing air
or charge diver's air storage flasks as this may result in contamination
of the diver's air supply. (Page 4-11)
WARNING
Welding or cutting torches may cause an explosion on penetration of
gas-filled compartments, resulting in serious injury or death. (Page 6-22)
WARNING
Scuba equipment is not authorized for use in enclosed space diving.
(Page 6-25)
WARNING
Skip-breathing may lead to hypercapnia and shall not be practiced.
(Page 7-30)
WARNING
During ascent, the diver without the mouthpiece must exhale to offset
the effect of decreasing pressure on the lungs which could cause an air
embolism. (Page 7-36)
WARNING
During enclosed space diving, all divers shall be outfitted with MK 21
MOD 1 with EGS or MK 20 MOD 0 that includes a diver-to-diver and diver-
to-topside communications system and an EGS for the diver inside the
space. (Page 8-30)
WARNING
For submarine ballast tanks, the divers shall not remove their diving
equipment until the atmosphere has been flushed twice with air from a
compressed air source meeting the requirements of Chapter 4, or the
submarine L.P. blower, and tests confirm that the atmosphere is safe for
breathing. Tests of the air in the enclosed space shall be conducted
hourly. Testing shall be done in accordance with NSTM 074, Volume 3,
Gas Free Engineering (S9086-CH-STM-030/CH-074) for forces afloat, and
NAVSEA S-6470-AA-SAF-010 for shore-based facilities. If the divers
smell any unusual odors they shall immediately don their EGS. (Page 8-
30)
WARNING
If the diving equipment should fail, the diver shall immediately switch to
the EGS and abort the dive. (Page 8-31)
WARNING
If job conditions call for using a steel cable or a chain as a descent line,
the Diving Officer must approve such use. (Page 8-33)
WARNING
Altitudes above 10,000 feet impose a serious stress on the body and
significant medical problems may develop while the acclimatization
process takes place. Ascents to these altitudes must be slow to allow
