Surface supply diving involves using air from the surface to assist the diver. The standard procedures for surface supply diving are very similar to those used in scuba diving. These procedures are generally the same for all divers. However, some of them are tailored to specific equipment or diving 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, the surface supply diving equipment and the umbilical of the Diver is through the umbilical. It carries the primary breath gas from the surface to your apparatus. It can be connected directly to the diver, or via a bell-panel attachment.
The umbilical connects diving mask to the top and includes a number of devices to ensure divers are comfortable and safe. This could include a communication cable or a pneumofathometer. Divers can monitor their depth and give air to help in an emergency.
Diver's demand-valve
The Diver’s demand valve allows for an increase in the air pressure used during surface supply diving. This pressure can cause diver to breathe faster and deeper than without the demand valve. Regardless of whether the diver is conscious, the pressure in the air can change significantly during a dive. This can increase the work required to breathe, and also the cracking pressure and hydrostatic 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 typically inhale through the demand valve. A regulator controls the main supply of air. The regulator is normally fitted with a single tube and held by the diver’s mouthpiece. 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. The demand valve is activated when the diver breathes. It will provide gas to remote mouthpiece at ambient temperature.
Saturation spread
The environment must be pressurized for surface supply diving. You can do this in several ways. 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.
Most commonly, saturation diving is used offshore, near production platforms and drilling platforms, as well as in the contexts of salvage operations. It is crucial to be precise during a dive for this type of diving. This can often be done from a specialized diving support vessel (or a vessel suitable for the occasion). Dynamic positioning is also important, but requires a reliable system.
Fitness-to-dive exam for divers
Divers must pass a complete fitness-to-dive exam before participating in surface supply diving. 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. At the time of renewal, the diver will also have to take a fitness test.
The dive certification agencies set the standards for medical examination. Some agencies require a medical practitioner to perform the exam, while others leave it up to the individual to do the exam. These standards are almost always the same between different agencies. 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 only difference is the use of breathing gas. The gas panel controls the gas supply for surface supply diving. Because of this, the tank's pressure is not adjusted automatically when the depth drops. 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 need to have a set voice communication devices in order to communicate with the surface. These devices can be connected to the full-face helmet or mask by an umbilical cord. Before a dive, the diver should check the cable for sound quality and function.