6-42 Change A U.S. Navy Diving Manual—Volume 2 DIVING SAFETY AND PLANNING CHECKLIST (Sheet 1 of 4) STEPS IN PLANNING OF DIVING OPERATIONS Detailed, advanced planning is the foundation of diving safety. A.   ANALYZE THE MISSION FOR SAFETY. __ Ensure mission objective is defined. __ Determine that non-diving means of mission accomplishment have been considered and eliminated as inappropriate. __ Coordinate emergency assistance. __ Review relevant Naval Warfare Publications (NWP) and OPNAV instructions. B.   IDENTIFY AND ANALYZE POTENTIAL HAZARDS. __ Natural Hazards: 1. Atmospheric: __ Exposure of personnel to extreme conditions __ Adverse exposure of equipment and supplies to elements __ Delays or disruption caused by weather 2. Surface: __ Sea sickness __ Water entry and exit __ Handling of heavy equipment in rough seas __ Maintaining location in tides and currents __ Ice, flotsam, kelp, and petroleum in the water __ Delays or disruption caused by sea state 3. Underwater and Bottom: __ Depth which exceeds diving limits or limits of available equipment __ Exposure to cold temperatures __ Dangerous marine life __ Tides and currents __ Limited visibility __ Bottom obstructions __ Ice (underwater pressure ridges, loss of entry hole, loss of orientation, etc.) __ Dangerous bottom conditions (mud, drop-offs, etc.) __ On-Site Hazards: __ Local marine traffic or other conflicting naval operations __ Other conflicting commercial operations __ High-powered, active sonar __ Radiation contamination and other pollution (chemical, sewer outfalls, etc.) __ Mission Hazards: __ Decompression sickness __ Communications problems __ Drowning __ Other trauma (injuries) __ Hostile action __ Object Hazards: __ Entrapment and entanglement __ Shifting or working of object __ Explosives or other ordnance Figure 6-19a.  Diving Safety and Planning Checklist (sheet 1 of 4).