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Federal regulations · Through 2026-08-25 · Newer source version available

46 CFR 197.432: Surface-supplied air diving.

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Where this section sits in the code
  1. Title 46—Shipping
  2. CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
  3. SUBCHAPTER V—MARINE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS
  4. PART 197—GENERAL PROVISIONS
  5. Subpart B—Commercial Diving Operations

The diving supervisor shall insure that—

(a) Surface-supplied air diving is conducted at depths less than 190 fsw, except that dives with bottom times of 30 minutes or less may be conducted to depths of 220 fsw;

(b) Each diving operation has a primary breathing gas supply;

(c) Each diver is continuously tended while in the water;

(d) When a diver is in a physically confining space, another diver is stationed at the underwater point of entry and is line-tending the diver;

(e) For dives deeper than 130 fsw or outside the no-decompression limits—

(1) Each diving operation has a secondary breathing gas supply;

(2) A decompression chamber is ready for use at the dive location;

(3) A diving stage is used except when a bell is provided;

(4) A bell is used for dives with an in-water decompression time greater than 120 minutes, except when the diver is using a heavy-weight diving outfit or is diving in a physically confining space;

(5) A separate dive team member tends each diver in the water;

(6) A standby diver is available while a diver is in the water; and

(7) Each diver has a diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply except when using a heavy-weight diving outfit or when diving in a physically confining space; and

(f) The surface-supplied air diver has the equipment required by § 197.346 (b) or (d).

Collected 2026-08-27T02:26:22Z. Source file · JSON

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