Surface supply diving uses air from the surface to help the diver. The standard procedures for surface supply diving are very similar to those used in 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 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 Diver's umbilical is the primary connection between the diver and the surface supply diving system. 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 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. 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 is designed to increase surface supply diving air pressure. The demand valve allows a diver's breathing to be more controlled and slow than it would without it. Whether the diver is conscious or not, the pressure of the air can vary considerably 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 usually has a single hose, and is attached to the diver’s mouthpiece. If the diver is using a dual-hose regulator the demand valve is located inside the regulator. It attaches to either the cylinder valve outlet or the manifold outlet. The demand valve supplies gas at ambient pressure to the remote mouthpiece when the diver inhales.
Saturation spread
It is necessary to have a pressure environment in order to surface supply dive. You have two options: a saturation system, or a "saturation spreading". Saturation diving allows divers to dive under pressure. They are then able to return to the surface and inhale a mixture of helium, helium, or both.
Saturation diving can be used most often offshore, near production or drilling platforms, and within the context of salvage operations. To perform this type of dive, it is important to have precise positioning during the dive. This is usually done using a special diving support vessel or other suitable vessel. While dynamic positioning is very important, it requires a reliable system.
Diver's fitness for diving
Divers must pass a complete fitness-to-dive exam before participating in surface supply diving. An AMED (diver's medical examiner) will perform this exam. They will also assess any other health conditions that may pose a threat to their diving abilities. The examination is valid for up to 12 months and must be renewed annually. At the time of renewal, the diver will also have to take a fitness test.
Dive certification agencies specify the medical exam standards. Some agencies require a medical practitioner to perform the exam, while others leave it up to the individual to do the exam. These standards can be shared between agencies, but they are often similar. These standards often reflect those of professional divers. However these standards may be slightly relaxed to reduce the incidences of diving-related conditions.
Diver's equipment
The equipment used for surface supply diving is not very different from that used by deep divers. The major difference is the gas used. The gas panel determines the gas that is supplied for surface supply diving. The tank's pressure does not adjust automatically as the water level drops. Some surface supply diving demand helmets might have an additional feature called a "dial a breath" system. This allows the diver the ability to adjust the tank's gas level.
Aside from the tank, divers also need a set of voice communication devices for communication with the surface. These devices connect to the mask or helmet of the diver using an umbilical wire. Before diving, make sure to check the function and sound quality of the cable.