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
