§197.346. Diver's equipment.
46 C.F.R. § 197.346
Each diver using SCUBA must have—
Self-contained underwater breathing equipment including—
A primary breathing gas supply with a cylinder pressure gage readable by the diver during the dive; and
A diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply provided by—
A manual reserve (J valve); or
An independent reserve cylinder connected and ready for use;
A face mask;
An inflatable floatation device;
A weight belt capable of quick release;
A knife;
Swim fins or shoes;
A diving wristwatch; and
A depth gage.
Each diver using a heavyweight diving outfit must—
Have a helmet group consisting of helmet, breastplate, and associated valves and connections;
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;
Have a hose group consisting of the breathing gas hose and fittings, the control valve, the lifeline, communications cable, and a pneumofathometer; and
Be provided with a helmet cushion and weighted shoes.
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.
Each diver using a lightweight diving outfit must have—
A safety harness;
A weight assembly capable of quick release;
A mask group consisting of a lightweight mask and associated valves and connections;
A diving dress group consisting of wet or dry diving dress, gloves, shoes or fins, and knife; and
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).
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.
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—
A primary breathing gas supply; and
A secondary breathing gas supply.
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.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Authority
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1509; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703, 6101; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
Source
Source: CGD 76-009, 43 FR 53683, Nov. 16, 1978, unless otherwise noted.