Surface supply diving involves using air from the surface to assist the diver. Many of the standard procedures are identical to scuba diving. Although many of these procedures can be used by all divers, others are only applicable to certain equipment and dive tasks. These procedures may differ slightly for surface supply divers, as well as those who are not certified to use scuba gear.
Diver's umbilical
The primary connection between the diver's umbilical and the surface supply diving system is the Diver's Umbilical. It carries the primary oxygen from the surface to the divers' apparatus. You can attach the umbilical directly to the diver or via a bell panel.
The umbilical connects a diving mask to the surface, and it contains a variety of devices to help divers stay safe and comfortable in the water. This could include a communication cable or a pneumofathometer. This allows divers to keep track of their depths, and also provides additional air for emergency situations.
Diver's demand valve
The Diver's demand valve increases the pressure of surface supply diving air. This pressure can cause a diver to breathe more slowly and deeper than he would without the demand valve. The air pressure can vary a lot during diving, whether the diver is aware of it or not. This can increase the work of breathing, as well as the hydrostatic pressure and cracking pressure. However, these changes do not impair the oxygen delivery to the lungs. By raising the pressure, the diver can make their respiratory system more efficient in removing carbon dioxide. This improves the quality of their respiration.
Divers normally inhale via the demand valve. However, the regulator controls the main air supply. The regulator is usually attached to the diver's mouthpiece and fitted with a single-hose hose. If the diver uses a dual-hose regulator, the demand valve is located in the body of the regulator, which attaches to the cylinder valve or manifold outlet. When the diver takes in air, the demand valve will send gas to the remote jawpiece at ambient pressure.
Saturation spread
You need to dive in a pressurized environment for surface supply. There are several ways to do this, including a saturation system or a "saturation spread." Saturation dive is when divers are put under pressure by a saturation accommodation and then returned to the surface using a helium-based gas mixture.
The majority of saturation diving is done offshore, on drilling platforms or near production, and when there are salvage operations. You must be precise in your positioning to perform this type dive. This is most often done from a specialised diving support vessel, or a suitable vessel of opportunity. While dynamic positioning is very important, it requires a reliable system.
Diver's fitness-to-dive examination
Before participating in surface supply diving, divers must undergo a comprehensive fitness-to-dive examination. The AMED, a medical examiner for divers, will perform the examination. This will determine if there are any conditions that could affect their diving ability. The annual renewal is required. The diver will need to pass a fitness exam at renewal.
The medical examination standards are specified by dive certification agencies. Some require an examination by a medical practitioner, while others make the exam entirely up to the examinee. The standards vary between agencies but are generally the same. These standards are often based on the standards for professional divers. However, they may be slightly relaxed to decrease the incidence of diving-related medical conditions.
Diver's equipment
The equipment for surface supply diving doesn't differ significantly from the equipment used by deep divers. The primary difference is the breathing gas used. The gas panel determines the gas that is supplied for surface supply diving. As a result, the pressure of the air in the tank does not automatically adjust as the depth decreases. However, some surface supply diving demand helmets may come with an additional feature called a "dial-a-breath" system that allows the diver to adjust the amount of gas in their tank.
Divers also require a set if voice communication devices to communicate with the surfaces. An umbilical cable connects these devices to the helmet or full-face mask of the diver. The cable should be checked for function and soundness before diving.