Surface supply diving is when air is used to aid the diver. It uses many of the same procedures as scuba diving. While many of the procedures are similar for all divers, some are specific to certain equipment or diving tasks. These procedures may be slightly different for divers who are new to surface supply diving or for those who have not been certified to dive without scuba gear before.
Diver's umbilical
The primary connection between the diving system and the diver is the umbilical. It is responsible for carrying the primary breathing gas from surface to diver's equipment. The umbilical can either be directly attached to the diver or attached via a bell panels.
The umbilical connects a diving helmet to the surface. It contains various devices that can help divers stay comfortable and safe in the water. This could include a communication cable or a pneumofathometer. These components enable divers to monitor depth and provide air in emergency situations.
Diver's demand lever
The Diver's demand valve is designed to increase the pressure of the air used during surface supply diving. This pressure can cause diver to breathe faster and deeper than without the demand valve. Whether the diver is conscious or not, the pressure of the air can vary considerably during a dive. This can increase the work of breathing, as well as the hydrostatic pressure and cracking pressure. These changes will not reduce oxygen delivery to 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 dual-hose regulators, the demand valve will be located in the regulator's body. This attaches directly to the cylinder or manifold outlets. When the diver takes in air, the demand valve will send gas to the remote jawpiece at ambient pressure.
Saturation spread
A pressurized environment is required for surface supply diving. This can be done in a variety of ways, including a saturation spread or a saturation system. Saturation diving involves diving under the pressure of a saturation accommodation. The divers then return to the surface with a mixture made up of helium and oxygen.
Most commonly, saturation diving is used offshore, near production platforms and drilling platforms, as well as in the contexts of salvage operations. You must be precise in your positioning to perform this type dive. This can be done most often from a specially designed diving support vessel or another suitable vessel. A reliable system is required for dynamic positioning.
Diver's fitness-to-dive examination
A comprehensive fitness-to dive examination must be completed before a diver can participate in surface supply diving. This examination is performed by a diver's medical examiner (AMED), who will assess any underlying health conditions that might pose a risk to their diving ability. The exam is valid for 12 months, and must be renewed each year. The diver will have to pass a fitness check at renewal.
The medical examination standards are specified by dive certification agencies. While some require the medical practitioner to conduct an examination, others see it as largely the responsibility of the individual. These standards are almost always the same between different agencies. These standards are usually based on standards for professional divers. They may be slightly modified to reduce the risk of diving-related injuries.
Diver's equipment
Equipment used for surface supply diving does not differ from equipment used by deep divers. The only difference is the use of breathing gas. In surface supply diving the gas used is set at the gas panel. Because of this, the tank's pressure is not adjusted automatically when the depth drops. Some surface supply diving helmets come with an extra feature called a dial-a-breath system, which allows the diver to adjust their tank's gas levels.
For communication with the surface, divers need more than a tank. An umbilical cable connects these devices to the helmet or full-face mask of the diver. Before diving, make sure to check the function and sound quality of the cable.