The purpose of these public safety diving guidelines is to ensure that all public safety diving is conducted in a manner that maximizes protection of public safety divers from accidental injury and/or illness. in addition, this document sets forth guidelines for training and certification which will allow a working reciprocity between member organizations. Fulfillment of these purposes shall be consistent with the furtherance of safety.
The purpose of this document is to set forth minimal guidelines for public
safety diving programs, the organization for the conduct of these programs, and
the basic regulations and guidelines for safety in public safety diving
operations. This document further establishes a framework for reciprocity
between member organizations which adhere to these minimum guidelines. in
addition, this document shall serve as a model for a member organization's
required diving manual (see Section 1.14). This document has been developed and
written by adapting the guidelines set forth in the scientific diving standards
of the
In adopting the guidelines set forth in this document, [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] assumes no liability not otherwise imposed by law. Each diver is assumed under this guideline to be voluntarily performing activities for which he assumes all risks, consequences, and potential liability. Each diver is responsible for maintaining a level of knowledge and training to enable an informed appraisal of the calculated risks involved in any diving activities undertaken, in producing this document[INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] assumes no liability for the activity or liability of any person who may use this document or from which any consequences may arise. The editors and [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] make no claim that use of this document will eliminate or reduce the severity of injuries incurred as a result of public safety diving activities. All reasonable efforts have been made to in crude state-of-the-art information as of the date of publication. The editors and [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] make no claim that the practices and guidelines set forth within will remain constant.
The purpose of a member organization's public safety diving manual is to provide for the development of and implementation of guidelines and guidelines that will enable each member organization to meet requirements of local environments and conditions as well as to comply with the [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] public safety diving guidelines. The member organization's diving manual shall include but not be limited to:
a. Safety guidelines for the diving operation
b. Responsibilities of the dive team members
c. Equipment use and maintenance guidelines and
d. Emergency guidelines.
An annual report and review of diving activities should be prepared and submitted to [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] by each member organization. At this time, any recommendations for modifications of these guidelines should be submitted to [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] for consideration.
Public safety diving is considered to be all diving performed by individuals necessary to and part of a police, fire, or public safety activity conducted in conjunction with any project under the jurisdiction of any public or private institution or similarly recognized organization, department, or group.
For the purpose of these guidelines, the auspices of a member organization include any public safety diving operation in which a member organization is connected because of ownership of any equipment used, locations selected, or relationship with the individuals concerned. This includes all cases involving the operations of employees of member organizations or employees of auxiliary organizations where such employees are acting within the scope of their employment, the operations of other persons who are engaged in public safety diving of a member organization, or are diving as members of an organization recognized by [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] member organizations.
[INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] requires that no person should engage in public safety diving unless that person holds a certification issued by the Diving Officer of the member organization pursuant to the provisions of this manual (see Sections 3.00 and 4.00). Examples of recognized certifications are:
All diving equipment used by public safety divers, apprentice public safety divers, trainees, or individuals diving on a temporary public safety diving permit, regardless of ownership, shall conform to the standards set forth in this document.
The regulations herein should be observed at ail locations where public safety diving is conducted.
Reciprocity may exist between member organizations. A Public Safety Diver currently certified under the auspices of one member organization in good standing may be so recognized by any other member organization. Reciprocity may be extended to individuals possessing the necessary training and experience which is appropriate for the diving to be undertaken.
Each member organization which operates a public safety diving program shall appoint a Diving Officer and a Diving Control Board.
The responsible administrative officer of the member organization has the ultimate authority for the public safety diving program and its related activities. However, only the Diving Supervisor may make decisions relating to the conduct of actual diving operations unless his orders are superseded at the scene by the Diving Officer.
Guideline recommendations relating to the diving program of each member organization shall be made to the responsible administrative officer or his designee. The development of these recommendations is the joint responsibility of the Diving Officer and the Diving Control Board.
The administration of the member organization's diving program will reside with the Diving Control Board.
All personnel involved in diving instruction under the auspices of the member organize lion shall be qualified for the type of instruction being given. Regardless of the certifies lions held by a potential instructor, the Diving Control Board must evaluate the candidate to ensure instructional skills commensurate with the intended instruction.
instructions personnel will be selected by the Diving Officer working with the Diving Control Board to conduct preliminary screening of applicants for instructional positions.
All divers within a member organization's diving program shall pass a diving medical examination as delineated in Section 7.00. The expiration date of the examination will appear on the diving certificate. A medical evaluation by an approved physician to determine continuing fitness to dive is required after each illness or injury requiting hospitalization of more than 24 hours: after any episode of unconsciousness: or after treatment in a hyperbaric chamber following a diving accident or other serious illness.
No person shall engage in diving operations under the auspices of a member organization's public safety diving program unless he holds a current certificate or permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this document. Public safety diving shall not be conducted unless emergency guidelines have been established to initially treat and transport a diverts) to an operational hyperbaric chamber or appropriate emergency medical facility.
All diving conducted under the auspices of the member organization shall be planned and executed in a manner as to ensure that every diver involved maintains constant, effective communication with at least one other comparably equipped, certified public safety diver in the water. This buddy system is based upon mutual assistance, especially in the case of an emergency. Dives should be planned around the competency of the least experienced diver. If loss of effective communication occurs within a buddy team, all divers within that team shall surface and reestablish contact except as specified in Section 2.40. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis in the event of a rescue or other exigent circumstances. The solo, line-tended diver shall be considered an exception to the solo diving prohibition. However, both the diver and the tender shall be sufficiently trained in this technique prior to their operational use of this type of solo diving. During a solo, line tended diving operation, a standby diver in addition to the line tender shall be utilized.
Where an enclosed or confined space is not large enough for two divers, a diver shall be stationed at the underwater point of entry and an orientation line shall be used. Cavern and cave diving shall only be conducted by personnel with appropriate training and certifications. The standards of either the National Association for Cave Diving (NACD) or the National Speleological Society Cave Diving Section will be followed at all times.
Both the "diver down" and international Alpha flags shall be prominently displayed during all public safety diving operations.
Each diver shall on every dive possess the capability of attaining and maintaining post live buoyancy. An inflatable exposure suit by itself shall not be used as the sole source of buoyancy.
Both members of the diving pair must have an underwater time keeping device, an approved depth indicator, and a submersible tank pressure gauge. Divers may delegate the determination of their depth and dive time to a surface tender or other individual appropriately equipped to perform such functions.
An appropriate dive table or dive computer must be available at the dive location:
The public safety diving certificate will authorize the holder to dive to the depth entered on the certificate. The certificate must bear the signature of the member organization's Diving Officer.
a. May exceed his depth certification by one step only if accompanied by a diver certified to a greater depth or
b. May exceed his her depth certification by more than one step only when accompanied by the Diving Officer or a person designated by the Diving Officer, either of whom must be certified to the depth to be dived.
a. To safety reach the surface, including decompression time or
b. To safety reach an additional air source at the decompression station.
Hookah divers shall comply with all scuba diving guidelines in this document. Hookah diving shall not be conducted at depths greater than 66 feet sea water (3 ATA).
Surface supplied divers shall comply with all scuba diving guidelines in this document except Section 2.21. Surface supplied diving shall conform to US Navy standards.
For each dive, one individual shall be designated as the Diving Supervisor. He shall be in an appropriate location at the dive site or the dive location during the diving opera lion. The Diving Supervisor shall be responsible for:
a. Dive objectives:
b. Any unusual hazards or environmental conditions likely to affect the safety of the diving operation
c. Any modifications to diving or emergency guidelines necessitated by the specific diving operation and
d. Reporting any physical problems or adverse physiological effects including symptoms of pressure related injuries.
a. Diving mode
b. Surface and underwater conditions and hazards
c. Breathing gas supply
d. The real protection
e. Diving equipment
f. Dive team assignments
g. Residual inert gas status of dive team members
h. Decompression schedules and altitude corrections
i. Entry and exit guidelines and Emergency guidelines.
Before conducting any diving operations under the auspices of the member organize lion, the Diving Supervisor for a proposed diving operation should consider the following information:
a. Each diver shall conduct a functional check of his diving equipment in the presence of the dive buddy or tender
b. it is the diver's responsibility and duty to refuse to dive if in his judgment, conditions are unsafe, unfavorable, or if he would be violating the precepts of his training or the guidelines of this document or the member organization's diving manual.
c. No diver shall be required to be exposed to hyperbaric conditions against his will except when necessary to prevent or treat a pressure related injury.
d. No diver shall be permitted to dive for the duration of any known condition which is likely to adversely affect the safety and health of the diver or other dive team members).
Each public safety diver shall be trained, qualified, and certified for the diving mode being used. Each diver shall have experience or training in the following:
a. The use of the instruments and equipment appropriate to the diving activity to be conducted:
b. Dive planning and emergency guidelines:
c. Diver rescue techniques, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen administration, and other diving related first aid
d. Diving related physics and physiology as well as recognition of pressure related injuries.
With the completion of a dive, each diver shall:
Any public safety diver may deviate from the requirements of this document to the extent necessary to prevent or minimize a situation which is likely to cause death, serious physical harm, or major environmental damage. A written report of such actions must be submitted to the Diving Control Board by the Diving Supervisor explaining the circumstances and justifications for such action.
Failure to comply with the guidelines of this document may be cause for the restriction or revocation of the member organization's recognition by [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME].
Failure to comply with the regulations of the member organization's diving manual may be cause for the restriction or revocation of the diver's public safety diving certificate by action of the member organization's Diving Control Board.
The Diving Supervisor shall maintain an appropriate diving log for each diving operation.
a. Name of diver, partner, and/or lead diver
b. Date, time, and location of dive
c. Diving modes used
d. General nature of diving activities:
e. Approximate underwater and surface conditions
f. Maximum depths, bottom time, and surface interval times
g. Diving tables or dive computers used and
h. Details of any accidents or potentially dangerous incidents.
a. Description of symptoms, including severity and time of onset and
b. Description and results of treatment.
2.63 RECORD MAINTENANCE The Diving Officer or his designee shall maintain permanent records for each individual diving under the auspices of the member organization. The file shall include evidence of certification, log sheets, results of current physical examinations, waivers, reports of disciplinary actions by the member organization's Diving Control Board, and other pertinent information deemed necessary. Proof of such record keeping shall be made available to [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] upon request.
a. Medical records shall be available to the attending physician of a diver or former diver when released in writing by the diver.
b. Records and documents required by this document shall be retained by the member organization for the following periods:
All diving accidents requiring recompression or resulting in serious injury shall be reported to the member organization's Diving Officer. The member organization's regular guidelines for accident reporting, including those required by [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] shall be followed. Additional information deemed necessary by either the Diving Control Board or the Diving Officer may be required. in addition, the member organization must meet the following reporting requirements:
The public safety diver applicant shall be certified by a licensed physician to be medically qualified for diving before proceeding with the training as designated in Section 3.20 (see Section 7.00 and Appendices 1 through 6).
The applicant for training shall successfully perform the following tests or their equivalent in the presence of the Diving Officer or an examiner approved by the Diving Officer:
At the completion of training, the trainee must satisfy the Diving Officer or the approved instructor of his ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. in addition, the following skills must be demonstrated in a pool or other sheltered water:
Before the completion of training, the trainee must pass a written examination that demonstrates knowledge of at least the following:
The trainee must provide proof of CPR certification at the basic life support (BUS) level from either the American Heart Association (ALA) or the American Red Cross (ARC).
The trainee must provide proof of at least standard first aid (SFA) certification from the American Red Cross.
At the completion of training, the trainee must satisfy the Diving Officer or the designated instructor of his ability to perform the following minimum skills in open water:
This permit signifies that a diver has completed a minimum of 60 hours of training with at least 15 ocean or open water dives and possesses a nationally recognized advanced diving certification.
Individuals who are eligible for an apprentice public safety diver permit include:
a. Possess a nationally recognized advanced diving certification
b. Provide proof of at least 60 hours of diver training with a minimum of 15 open water training dives
c. A medical examination as outlined in Section 3.11
d. A basic life support certificate as outlined in Section 3.23
e. A standard first aid certificate as outlined in Section 3.24 and
f. An appropriate sheltered water skills evaluation by the Diving Officer or an approved instructor which would indicate the applicant's ability to perform the skills outlined in Section 3.21.
The following are considered minimal standards for public safety diver certification.
Only a person diving under the auspices of an organization that subscribes to the practices of [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] is eligible for public safety diver certification.
Application for certification shall be made to the Diving Officer on the form prescribed by the member organization.
Each applicant for public safety diver certification shall submit a statement from a licensed physician based upon an approved medical examination which attests to the n applicant's fitness for diving (see Section 7.00 and Appendices 1-6). This statement shall be on the form prescribed by the member organization.
The applicant must hold an Apprentice Public Safety Diver Permit (see Section 3.00) completed within the last four months.
Submission of documents and participation in aptitude examinations does not automatically result in certification. The applicant must convince the Diving Officer that he is sufficiently skilled and proficient to be certified. This skill will be acknowledged by the signature of the Diving Officer. Any applicant who does not possess the necessary judgment for all diving activities may be denied member organization public safety diving privileges.
The diver must complete additional theoretical and practical training beyond the Apprentice Public Safety Diver Permit level for a minimum cumulative time of 150 hours.
Requirements of Sections 4.21 and 4.22 may be waived by the diving officer if the person in question has demonstrated proficiency in diving and can measurably contribute to a planned dive. A statement of the temporary diver's qualifications she:: be submitted to the Diving Officer as a part of the dive plan. Temporary certification shall be f restricted to the planned diving operation and shall comply with all other policies, regulations, and standards of this manual, including medical requirements.
The Public Safety Diving Certificate with authorize the holder to dive to the depth Indicated on the certificate. The diver must make application to the Diving Officer for depth certifications to 130 feet. Certification to 150 feet must be approved by the Diving Control Board upon application by the diver.
This is the initial certification based upon successful: completion of training listed in section 3.00.
A diver holding a 30 foot certificate may be certified to a depth of 60 feet after successfully completing while under supervision 12 logged training dives to depths between 31 and 60 feet for a minimum, cumulative bottom time of 4 hours.
A diver holding a 60 foot certificate may be certified to 100 feet by logging 6 dives between 61 and 100 feet. These qualification dives shall be validated by the signature of two authorized individuals who are divers certified to at least 100 feet. The diver shall demonstrate proficiency in the use of the appropriate dive table or applicable dive computer.
A diver holding a 100 foot certificate may be certified to 130 feet by logging 6 dives between 101 and 130 feet. These qualification dives she:: be validated by the signature of two authorized individuals who are divers certified to at least 130 feet. The diver shall demonstrate proficiency in the use of the appropriate dive table or applicable dive computer.
A diver may be certified to a depth of 150 abet the completion of 6 dives near 150 feet. Dives shall be planned and executed under close supervision of a diver certified to this depth. The diver must also demonstrate a knowledge of the special problems of deep diving and of special safety requirements. Diving to depths deeper than 150 feet is not authorized.
During any 12 month period, each certified public safety diver must log a minimum of 12 dives. At least one dive must be logged near the maximum depth of the diver's certification during each six month period. Divers certified to 150 feet may satisfy these requirements with dives to 130 feet or deeper. Failure to meet these requirements may be cause for revocation or restriction of certification.
Depth certifications which have lapsed due to lack of diving activity may be renewed by guidelines adopted by the member organization's Diving Control Board.
All certified public safety divers shall pass an annual medical examination performed by a licensed physician. This physician should be trained in diving undersea medicine. After each major iciness or injury, a diver shall submit to a medical interview or examination before resuming diving activities.
A diving certificate may be revoked or restricted for cause by the Diving Officer or the Diving Control Board. Violations of guidelines set forth in this manual or other governmental subdivisions not in conflict with this document may be considered cause for revocation. The Diving Officer shall inform the diver in writing of the reasons) for revocation. The diver will be given the opportunity to present a rebuttal in writing. All such written statements and requests as identified in this section are formal dock merits which will remain a part of the diver's file.
If a diver's certificate expires or is revoked, he may be recertified after complying with such conditions as the Diving Officer or the Diving Control Board may impose. The diver Shall be given an opportunity to present his case to the Diving Control Board before conditions for recertification are stipulated.
All equipment shall meet standards as determined by the Diving Officer and approved by the Diving Control Board. Only those makes and models of equipment specifically approved by the Diving Officer and/or the Diving Control Board shall be used and by divers with appropriate training. Ail unit equipment shall be standardized and compatible. All Inspections, tests, and maintenance must be accomplished by a technician or facility approved by the Diving Officer and/or the Diving Control Board. Equipment that is subjected to extreme usage under adverse conditions should require more frequent testing and maintenance.
Each equipment modification, repair, test, calibration, or maintenance shall be logged including the date and nature of work performed, serial number of item, and the name of the person performing the work for the following equipment:
Scuba regulators used in the public safety diving program shall be inspected prior to the first use and every 6 months thereafter.
Breathing masks and helmets shall have:
Scuba cylinders shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Unfired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders.
Breathing air for all diving activities shall meet the following
specifications as well as the air quality standards of the appropriate
jurisdiction in which the member organization's public safety dive team
operates:
a. Minimum oxygen atmospheric
b. Oxygen content Special mixtures must be specified upon the advice of a
competent authority and approved by the Diving Control Board. All divers and
support personnel on a dive in which special mixtures are used shall be
appropriately trained.
c. Maximum carbon monoxide .... 0.001 % (10 ppm)
d. Maximum carbon dioxide 0.10 % (1000 ppm)
e. Dust, oil and water absent
f. Odors and vapors absent
a. Low pressure compressors used to supply air to the diver shall be equipped with a volume tank with a check valve on the inlet side, a pressure gauge, a relief valve, a drain valve.
b. Compressed air systems over 500 psig shall have slow opening shut off valves.
c. All air compressor intakes shall be located away from areas containing exhaust or other contaminants.
a. Gas analyses and air tests shall be performed on each member organization controlled, breathing air compressor at regular intervals of no more than 100 hours of operation or six months whichever occurs first in order to ensure compliance with minimum breathing air standards. The results of these tests shall be entered in a formal log and maintained.
b. A log shall be maintained showing operation, repair, overhaul, temperature cut-out maintenance (if applicable), and filter maintenance for each compressor.
DS
Medical evaluations Shall be completed:
The member organization shall provide a copy of the medical evaluation requirements of this document to the examining physician (Appendices 1, 2, and 3).
Medical examinations conducted initially and annually shall consist of the following:
The following contraindications have been adapted from "Medical Examination of Sport Scuba Divers, 2nd ed." by Dr. Jefferson C. Davis. it is recommended that the examining physician have this reference available. Bracketed numbers are pages in this reference which explain the condition.; Contraindications should be carefully reviewed to determine the nature of the risk as well as the prognosis.
The following laboratory tests will be conducted during the initial, entry medical examination and subsequent medical examinations as indicated:
This person, , requires a medical examination to assess fitness for
certification as a public safety diver for the answers on the Diving Medical
History Form (attached), do/do not indicate potential health or safety risks as
noted. Your evaluation is requested on the attached Scuba diving Fitness
Medical Evaluation Report. if you have questions of a general nature about
diving medicine, you may wish to consult one of the references on the attached
list, contact one of the physicians with expertise in diving medicine whose
names and phone numbers appear on another attached list, or contact the DIVERS
ALERT NETWORK at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina
(919-684-2948) whose physicians routinely handle such inquiries. Please contact
the undersigned Diving Officer if you have any questions or concerns about
diving medicine. Thank you for your assistance.
Diving Officer Signature
Date
Diving Officer Printed Name
Telephone Number
Agency Name
The diver should be free of any chronic disabling disease and conditions contained in the list of conditions for which restrictions from diving are recommended. The diver should have a vital capacity of 80% of predicted normal as measured by a spirometer, and the physician's report should include gross flow rates. During the medical examination, the applicant diver should demonstrate good ability to perform all gross and minute tasks and exhibit normal reflexes.
The following laboratory tests will be conducted during the initial, entry medical examination and subsequent medical examinations as indicated:
Scuba and other modes of compressed gas diving can be strenuous and hazardous. A special risk is present if the middle ear, sinuses, or lung segments do not readily equalize air pressure changes. The most common cause of distress is eustachian insufficiency. Most non-training fatalities involve deficiencies in prudence, judgment, emotional stability, or physical fitness. Please consult the following list for conditions which usually restrict candidates from diving. Any chronic, disabling conditions as well as the prognoses should be discussed with the candidate. The following contraindications have been adapted from "Medical Examination of Sport Scuba Divers, 2nd ed." by Dr. Jefferson C. Davis Bracketed numbers are pages in this reference which explain the condition.
Name of Applicant (Print Type) Date
This person is an applicant for training or is presently certified to engage in diving with self contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba). This is an activity which puts unusual stress on the individual in several ways. Your opinion of the applicant's medical fitness is requested. Scuba diving requires heavy exertion. The diver must be free of cardiovascular and respiratory disease. An absolute requirement is the ability of the lungs, middle ear, and sinuses to equalize pressure. Any condition that risks the loss of consciousness should disqualify the applicant.
APPROVAL: I find no medical condition(s) which I consider
incompatible with diving.
RESTRICTED ACTIVITY APPROVAL: The applicant may dive in certain circumstances
as described in REMARKS.
FURTHER TESTING REQUIRED: I have encountered a potential contraindication to
diving. Additional medical tests must be performed before a finial assessment
can be made. See REMARKS.
REJECT: This applicant has medical condition(s) which, in my opinion, clearly
would constitute unacceptable hazards to health and safety in diving.
Where applicable, I have discussed the
patient's medical condition(s) which would not seriously interfere with diving
but which may seriously compromise subsequent health. The patient understands the
nature of the hazards and the risks involved in diving with these defects.
My familiarity with applicant is: With this exam only
Regular physician for years
M.D./D.O.
Signature Date
Name (Print or Type)
Address
Telephone Number
I authorize the release of this information and
all medical information subsequently acquired in association with my diving to
the Diving Officer and Diving Control Board.
Signature Date
Name Sex __ DOB __/__ /__ Wt. ___ Ht. __
(Mo/Day/Yr)
Unit Date __/__ /__
(Mo/Day/Yr)
Scuba diving makes considerable demands on your
physical and emotional condition. Diving with particular defects amounts to
asking for trouble, not only for yourself, but also for anyone coming to your
aid if you get into difficulty in the water. Therefore, it is prudent to meet
certain medical and physical requirements before beginning a diving career or
training program.Your answers to the following
questions are more important in many instances in determining your fitness than
what the physician may see, hear, or feel when you are examined. Obviously, you
should give accurate information, or the medical screening guideline becomes useless.This form shall be kept confidential. If you
believe any questions) amounts to an inversion of your privacy, you may elect
to omit an answer provided you subsequently discuss that matter with the
physician. The physician must then indicate in writing that you have done so
and that no health hazard exists.Should your answers
indicate a condition(s) which might make diving hazardous, you will be asked to
review the matter with your physician. in such instances, the physician's
written authorization will be required in order for further consideration to be
given to your public safety diving application. If your physician concludes
that diving would involve undue risk for you, remember that the physician is
concerned only with your well being and safety. Please respect this advice and
the intent of this medical history form. In your own handwriting (do not type),
answer each of the following questions with a yes, no, or maybe answer. Discuss
with the examining physician any questions which you do not know or understand
.
______ 1. Have you ever had epilepsy or seizures?
______ 2. Do you ever faint or have blackout spells?
______ 3. Have you ever been addicted to drugs?
______ 4. Do you have diabetes?
______ 5. Do you suffer from motion sickness or sea fair sickness?
______ 6. Are you prone to claustrophobia?
______ 7. Have you ever had a nervous breakdown?
______ 8. Are you pregnant?
______ 9. Do you suffer from menstrual problems?
______10. Do you get anxiety spells or hyperventilation?
______11. Do you get frequent sour stomachs, nervous stomachs, or vomiting?
______12. Have you ever had a major operation?
______13. Are you presently being treated by a physician?
______14. Are you regularly taking medication?
______15. Have you ever been rejected or restricted from sports?
______16. Do you have frequent or severe headaches?
______17. Do you wear dental plates?
______18. Do you wear glasses or contact lenses?
______19. Do you have any bleeding disorders?
______20. Have you ever had any problem with alcoholism?
______21. Have you ever had any problems related to diving?
______22. Do you suffer from nervous tension or emotional problems?
______23. Do you sometimes take tranquilizers?
______24. Have you ever had a perforated eardrum?
______25. Do you have hay fever?
______26. Do you have frequent sinus trouble, frequent drainage from the nose,
postnasal drip, or stuffy nose?
______27. Do you get frequent earaches?
______28. Do you have drainage from the ears?
______29. Do you have difficulty with your ears in airplanes or on mountains?
______30. Have you had ear surgery?
______31. Do you get ringing in your ears?
______32. Do you get frequent dizzy spells?
______33. Do you have any hearing problems?
______34. Do you have trouble equalizing pressure in your ears?
______35. Have you ever had asthma?
______36. Have you ever had wheezing attacks?
______37. Do you have a chronic or recurrent cough?
______38. Do you frequently raise sputum?
______39. Have you ever had pleurisy?
______40. Have you ever had a collapsed lung (pneumothorax)?
______41. Do you have lung cysts?
______42. Have you ever had pneumonia?
______43. Have you ever had tuberculosis?
______44. Do you get shorter of breath than most people?
______45. Have you ever been told that you have a lung problem or other
abnormality?
______46. Do you ever spit blood?
______47. Do you ever have breathing difficulty after eating particular foods
or after exposure to particular pollens or animals?
______48. Are you subject to bronchitis?
______49. Have you ever had subcutaneous emphysema (air under the skin)?
______50. Have you ever had air embolism after diving?
______51. Have you ever had rheumatic fever?
______52. Have you ever had scarlet fever?
______53. Have you ever been told you have a heart murmur?
______54. Have you ever been told you have an enlarged heart?
______55. Have you ever had high blood pressure?
______56. Have you ever had angina (heart pains or pressure in the chest)?
______57. Did you ever have a heart attack?
______58. Do you ever have low blood pressure?
______59. Do you have recurrent or persistent swelling of the legs?
______60. Have you ever had pounding, rapid heartbeat, or palpitations?
______61. Have you ever had dizziness or faint spells?
______62. Do you get fatigued or short of breath easily?
______63. Have you ever been told you had an abnormal ECG?
______64. Do you suffer from joint problems, dislocations, or arthritis?
______65. Have you ever had back trouble or back injuries?
______66. Have you had a ruptured or slipped disc?
______67. Do you have any limiting physical handicaps?
______68. Do you suffer from muscle cramps?
______69. Do you have varicose veins?
______70. Do you have any amputations?
______71. Have you ever had a head injury causing unconsciousness?
______72. Have you ever experienced any paralysis?
______73. Have you ever had an adverse reaction to medication?
______74. Do you smoke?
______75. Have you ever had any other medical problems not listed in questions
1-74? if so, please list or describe them below.
(Screening Aid)
l - A 21 - B 41 - A 61 - B
2 - B 22 - B 42 - B 62 - B
3 - B 23 - B 43 - B 63 - B
4 - B 24 - C 44 - B 64 - B
5 - C 25 - B 45 - B 65 - B
6 - B 26 - B 46 - B 66 - B
7 - B 27 - B 47 - B 67 - B
8 - A 28 - B 48 - B 68 - B
9 - B 29 - B 49 - B 69 - B
10 - B 30 - B 50 - B 70 - B
11 - B 31 - B 51 - B 71 - B
12 - B 32 - B 52 - B 72 - B
13 - B 33 - B 53 - B 73 - C
14 - B 34 - C 54 - B 74 - C
15 - B 35 - B 55 - B 75 - B
16 - B 36 - B 56 - A
17 - C 37 - B 57 - B
18 - B 38 - B 58 - B
19 - B 39 - B 59 - B
20 - B 40 - B 60 - B
When a "yes" answer is checked:
A - Absolute contraindication to diving: B = Relative contraindication to
diving requires careful review by physician C = Of interest, not a contraindication
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Davis, J.C. (1989) 68 pp. MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF SPORT SCUBA divers. Medical
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Dueker, C.W. (1984) 224 pp. SCUBA DIVING in SAFETY
AND HEALTH. Best Publishing Company,
Linaweaver, P., and Vorosmarti,
J. (1987) 115 pp. FITNESS TO DIVE. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society,
9650 RockviIle Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
Roydhouse, N. (1981) 78 pp. UNDERWATER EAR AND NOSE
CARE. Best Publishing Company,
Shilling,C.W., Carlston
C.B., and Mathias,R.A. (1984) 762 pp. THE PHYSICIANS
GUIDE TO DIVING MEDICINE. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, 9650
Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
US NAVY DIVING MANUAL. Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing
Office,
American HEART ASSOCiATiON (AHA)
7320 Greenville Avenue Dallas, Texas 75231
American RED CROSS (ARC) 431 18th Street, NOW. Washington, D. C. 20006
DIVE RESCUE, lNC./INTERNATIONAL 201 North Link Lane
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
INTERNATIONAL DIVING EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION (lDEA) P.
O. Box 17373 Jacksonville, Florid 32245
LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION Underwater Unit 419 East
192nd Street Carson, California 90746
Multinational DIVING EDUCATORS Association (MDEA) P. O. Box 3433 Marathon
Shores, Florida 33052
National ASSOCiaTiON FOR CAVE DIVING (NACD) P. O. Box
14492 Gainesville, Florida 32604
NATIONAL ASSOCiATiON OF UNDERWATER INSTRUCTORS (NAUI)
P. O. Box 14650 Montclaire, California 91763
National ASSOCIATION OF SCUBA Diving SCHOOLS (NASDS) P. O. Box 17067 Long
Beach, California 90806
National Assosiation of Scuba Educators (NASE) P.O.
Box 5366 Lubbock, Texas 79417
National Speleological Society - Cave Diving Section (NSS-CDS) P.O. Box 950
Branford, Florida 32008-0950
Professional Association of Diving Insturctors (PADI)
1251 east Dyer Road, Suite 100 Santa Ana, California 92705-5605
Professional Diving Instructor Corporation (PDIC) 1015 River Street, P.O. Box
3633 Scranton, Pennsylvania 18505 Scuba Schools International (SSI) 2619 Canton
Court Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
United States Navy (USN) Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center Panama City,
Florida 32407
YMCA National Scuba Program (YMCA) Oakbrook Square 6083-A Oakbrook Parkway
Norcross, Georgia 30092
Diving Medical Emergencies
DIVERS ALERT NETWORK (DAN)
(919) 684-8111 (24 hours)
Cave Diving Emergencies
NATIONAL CRIME
INFORMATION CENTER
(904) 633-4159 (24 hours)
AMBULANCE, fire, Police
911(24 hours)
DIVING OFFICER
Apprentice diver - An Individuals gaining experience and training in additional diving activities under the supervision of a dive team member experienced in those activities See Section 3.30).
Bounce dive - A dive of relatively short duration usually less than 10 minutes.
Bottom time - The total elapsed time measured in minutes from the time a diver leaves the surface in descent until the time that the diver begins a direct ascent to the surface.
Breath-hold diving - A diving mode in which the diver uses no self contained or surface supplied breathing gas supply.
Buddy breathing - The sharing of a single air source between divers.
Buddy diver - Second member of the dive pair which is diving.
Buoyant ascent - An ascent made using some form of positive buoyancy such as: a wet suit without weight belt with vest or buoyancy compensator inflated and usually done more rapidly than a normal ascent.
Burst pressure - The pressure at which a pressure containment device would structurally fail.
Certified diver - A diver who holds a recognized valid certificate in one of the following categories: .
Compression chamber - A pressure vessel for human occupancy which may also be called a hyperbaric chamber (see Recompression chamber).
Controlled ascent - Any one of several kinds of ascents including normal, swimming, and buddy breathing ascents where the diverts) maintain control such that a pause or stop can be made during the ascent.
Cylinder - A pressure vessel for the storage of gases (see Tank).
Decompression sickness - A condition with a variety of symptoms which has its origin n the formation of bubbles in the tissues of divers aver pressure reduction.
Decompression table - A profile or set of profiles of depth time relationships for ascent rates and breathing mixtures to be followed aver a specific depth time exposure or exposures (see Dive table).
Dive - A descent into the water, an underwater diving activity utilizing compressed gas, an ascent, and a return to the surface.
Dive location - A surface area or vessel from which a diving operation is conducted.
Dive location reserve breathing gas - A supply system of air at the dive location which 15 independent of the primary system and sufficient to support divers during any planned decompression dive.
Dive table - A profile or set of profiles of depth time relationships for ascent rates and breathing mixtures to be followed aver a specific depth time exposure or exposures.
Diving Supervisor - The certified public safety diver with experience and training to conduct the diving operation and who has been designated to be in charge of the diving operation. This individual shall as a minimum be a current, certified dive master with one of the rationally recognized diving certification agencies (See Section 2.51).
Diver - An individual in the water who uses apparatus including snorkels which supplies breathing gas at ambient pressure.
Diver carried reserve breathing gas - A diver carried, independent supply of air sufficient under standard operating conditions to allow the diver to reach the surface, another source of breathing gas, or be reached by another diver.
Dive site - The physical location of a diver during a dive.
Dive team - Divers and support individuals who are exposed to or control the exposure of others to hyperbaric conditions.
Diving mode - A type of diving requiring guidelines, techniques, and specific equipment (snorkel, scuba, surface supplied air).
Diving Officer - The individual responsible for the safe conduct of the Public Safety Diving Program of the member organization (see Section 1.32).
Diving Control Board - The group of individuals who act as the official representative of the member organization and establish guideline concerning the public safety diving
Emergency ascent - An ascent made under anything other than normal conditions.
FSW - Feet of seawater or equivalent static pressure head.
Hookah diving - A type of shallow water, surface supplied diving where there is no voice communication with the surface.
Hyperbaric chamber - A pressure vessel for human occupancy (see Compression chamber, Recompression chamber).
Hyperbaric conditions - Pressure conditions in excess of normal atmospheric pees sure at the dive site.
Lead diver - The certified Public Safety Diver who has the experience and training to be the responsible member of the buddy team or other underwater operational group (See Section 2.52).
Maximum working pressure - The maximums pressure to which a pressure vessel or other pressure bearing device may be exposed under standard operating conditions.
Member organization - An organization which is a current member of [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] and has a diving program which adheres to the standards of [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] as set forth in the [INSERT DIVE TEAM NAME] "Guidelines for Public Safety Diving and Operation of Public Safety Diving Programs".
MSW - meters of seawater or equivalent static pressure head
No-decompression limits - The depth time limits of the "no-decompression limits and repetitive dive group designations table for no-decompression air dives" of the US Navy Diving Manual or equivalent limits.
Normal ascent - An ascent made with an adequate air supply at a rate of 60 feet per minute or less.
Pressure related injury - Any injury resulting from pressure disequilibrium within the body as the result of hyperbaric exposure such as decompression sickness, pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema, air embolism, or subcutaneous emphysema.
Pressure vessel - See cylinder or tank.
PSIG - Pounds per square inch gauge.