CHAPTER 13 — Mixed Gas Operational Planning
Change A 13-9
tasks as well. Cross-training ensures that divers are qualified to substitute for one
another when circumstances warrant.
13-4.2
Personnel Requirements. To ensure a sufficient number of properly trained and
qualified individuals are assigned to the most critical positions on a surface
supplied mixed gas dive station, the following minimum stations shall be manned
by formally trained (NDSTC) mixed gas divers:
Diving Officer
Diving Medical Officer (required on site for all dives exceeding the normal
working limit)
Master Diver
Diving Supervisor
Diving Medical Technician
All other assignments to a surface supplied mixed gas dive station shall be filled in
accordance with Table 13-4.
13-4.3
Diver Fatigue. Fatigue will predispose a diver to decompression sickness. A tired
diver is not mentally alert. Mixed gas dives shall not be conducted using a fatigued
diver. The command must ensure that all divers making a mixed gas dive are well
rested prior to the dive. All divers making mixed gas dives must have at least 8
hours of sleep within the last 24 hours before diving.
13-5
BRIEFING THE DIVE TEAM
Large personnel requirements and the increased complexities of mixed gas diving
operations make comprehensive briefings of all personnel extremely important.
For mixed gas surface supplied operations, briefings of each day’s schedule are
appropriate. In addition, during saturation diving operations, a dive protocol is
required to be read and signed in accordance with the unit’s instructions. The
briefing should cover all aspects of the operation including communications,
equipment, gas supply, and emergencies such as fouling and entrapment. Each
diving member should understand his own role as well as that of his diving
companions and the support crew (Figure 13-3).
While the operation is in progress, divers returning to the surface or to the PTC
should be promptly debriefed. This ensures that topside personnel are kept advised
of the progress of the dive and have the information necessary to modify the dive
plan or protocol as appropriate.
