46 C.F.R. § 197.346

Current through October 31, 2024
Section 197.346 - Diver's equipment
(a) Each diver using SCUBA must have-
(1) Self-contained underwater breathing equipment including-
(i) A primary breathing gas supply with a cylinder pressure gage readable by the diver during the dive; and
(ii) A diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply provided by-
(A) A manual reserve (J valve); or
(B) An independent reserve cylinder connected and ready for use;
(2) A face mask;
(3) An inflatable floatation device;
(4) A weight belt capable of quick release;
(5) A knife;
(6) Swim fins or shoes;
(7) A diving wristwatch; and
(8) A depth gage.
(b) Each diver using a heavyweight diving outfit must-
(1) Have a helmet group consisting of helmet, breastplate, and associated valves and connections;
(2) Have a diving dress group consisting of a basic dress that encloses the body (except for head and hands) in a tough, waterproof cover, gloves, shoes, weight assembly, and knife;
(3) Have a hose group consisting of the breathing gas hose and fittings, the control valve, the lifeline, communications cable, and a pneumofathometer; and
(4) Be provided with a helmet cushion and weighted shoes.
(c) Each surface-supplied dive operation using a heavyweight diving outfit must have an extra breathing gas hose with attaching tools available to the standby diver.
(d) Each diver using a lightweight diving outfit must have-
(1) A safety harness;
(2) A weight assembly capable of quick release;
(3) A mask group consisting of a lightweight mask and associated valves and connections;
(4) A diving dress group consisting of wet or dry diving dress, gloves, shoes or fins, and knife; and
(5) A hose group consisting of the breathing gas hose and fittings, the control valve, the lifeline, communications cable, and a pneumofathometer (if the breaking strength of the communications cable is at least equal to that required for the lifeline, the communications cable can serve as the lifeline).
(e) Each surface-supplied air dive operation within the no-decompression limits and to depths of 130 fsw or less must have a primary breathing gas supply at the dive location.
(f) Each surface-supplied dive operation outside the no-compression limits, deeper than 130 fsw, or using mixed-gas as a breathing mixture must have at the dive location-
(1) A primary breathing gas supply; and
(2) A secondary breathing gas supply.
(g) Each diver diving outside the no-decompression limits, deeper than 130 fsw, or using mixed-gas must have a diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply except when using a heavy-weight diving outfit or when diving in a physically confining area.

46 C.F.R. § 197.346