Blue Water Diving

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

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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

19. 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