Contaminated Water diving
Considerations when PLANNING
CONTAMINATED WATER DIVES:
• Identify major toxins at the planned dive site – lean on
local knowledge if no testing available.
• Protect diver to ONE LEVEL HIGHER than foreseen exposure
calls for.
• Protection versus comfort in hot weather is sometimes
diametrically opposed – DO NOT RISK divers’ health by
reducing protection, always reduce bottom time instead.
• In warm environments, set up the dive to keep divers
and equipment cool during dress out and brief. This
maximizes the actual working time of divers before onset
of heat exhaustion and/or dehydration.
• Ensure all parties are completely briefed on the Decontamination
Procedures BEFORE commencing dives.
• In oily water, boom off the diver entry/ exit area and
clear the surface using small oil skimmers or sorbents.
• Remember the 5 P’s – PRIOR PLANNING PREVENTS
POOR PERFORMANCE
In light of recent operations like Japan Disaster Relief,
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response, and even...