---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 197.432"
title: "46"
number: "197.432"
heading: "Surface-supplied air diving."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/197.432"
---

# §197.432. Surface-supplied air diving.


The diving supervisor shall insure that—

- (a) Surface-supplied air diving is conducted at depths less than 190 fsw, except that dives with bottom times of 30 minutes or less may be conducted to depths of 220 fsw;
- (b) Each diving operation has a primary breathing gas supply;
- (c) Each diver is continuously tended while in the water;
- (d) When a diver is in a physically confining space, another diver is stationed at the underwater point of entry and is line-tending the diver;
- (e) **For dives deeper than 130 fsw or outside the no-decompression limits—**
  - (1) Each diving operation has a secondary breathing gas supply;
  - (2) A decompression chamber is ready for use at the dive location;
  - (3) A diving stage is used except when a bell is provided;
  - (4) A bell is used for dives with an in-water decompression time greater than 120 minutes, except when the diver is using a heavy-weight diving outfit or is diving in a physically confining space;
  - (5) A separate dive team member tends each diver in the water;
  - (6) A standby diver is available while a diver is in the water; and
  - (7) Each diver has a diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply except when using a heavy-weight diving outfit or when diving in a physically confining space; and
- (f) The surface-supplied air diver has the equipment required by § [197.346 (b)](/cfr/46/197.346.md?p=b) or [(d)](/cfr/46/197.346.md?p=d).

## Notes

### 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.