Blue Water Diving
Blue Water Diving Guidelines
Editor, John Heine
A California Sea Grant
College Program Publication
No. T-CSGCP-014
Purpose
• The purpose of this discussion is to
introduce you to the basic procedures and
concerns of blue water diving.
Learning Objectives
• Describe conditions in which blue water
diving takes place.
• Discuss general procedures and concerns
for blue water diving activities.
• Describe a blue water diving rig.
Main Points
• Definition of Blue Water Diving
• Extension of the buddy system
• Depth control in an environment with no
reference points
• Surface platforms
• Task distribution
• Management of scientific equipment
• Emergency procedures
Definition
• Blue water Diving is a specialized diving
activity often conducted in clear water with
no functional bottom and no reference
points for determining depth.
Extension of the buddy system
• Single “Safety Diver”
– Responsible for the overall safe execution of
the dive
– Communicates with working divers via safety
tethers attached to a “Ring” or “trapeze”
– Visibility issues
– Pre-arranged signals
Controlling Depth
• Importance
– Safety
– Working at desired depth in the water column
• Reference Point
– Down Line
• Attached to the boat
• Depths marked at regular intervals
• “Trapeze” or “Ring” attached at appropriate depth
Controlling Depth
• Management Issues
– Wind
• Moves the boat and drags the down line
– Waves/Swells
• Jerks the line up and down
Surface Platforms
• Size of vessel
– Large boats
• Windage issues
• Maneuverability issues
– Small boats
• Inadequate space to accommodate divers and gear
• Safety Gear
• Boat operator qualifications
– Helpful if the operator is a diver
Divisions of Tasks
• Safety Diver
–
–
–
–
–
Responsible for the continuation of the dive
Monitor depth and condition each of the divers
Monitor and manage tethers
Scan water for hazards
Monitor environmental conditions
• Working divers
–
–
–
–
–
–
4-5 maximum (condition dependent)
Perform scientific tasks
Scan water as scientific task permits
Monitor self
Monitor other divers as scientific task permits
Terminate dive if it becomes unsafe
Equipment Management
• Individual flotation devices for each item
• Neutrally buoyant at working depth
• Attached to same down line as divers
– Attached as the down line is deployed
– Attached above the safety diver and trapeze
– Avoids entanglement issues
• Separate down line for gear
Emergency Management
• Communication protocols set in advance
• Strategies for
– Predators
• Safety diver recalls the group to the down line
• Group ascends together facing outward
– Weather
– Diver Accidents
– Equipment issues
Diving Procedures
• Will vary based on environmental
conditions and scientific objectives
• Entry into the water
– Divers gear up in the boat, attach the safety
tether and drop the safety line overboard
behind them
– Divers enter the water & swim to the surface
buoy
– Boat operator keeps the surface line slack
Diving Procedures
• Descent
– Divers descend as a group to a depth of
approx. 10 feet, and clip into the tether lines
on the Trapeze/Ring
– Divers descend as a group to the working
depth
– Safety diver attaches the trapeze to the down
line and clips in to the trapeze
– Divers go to work
Diving Procedures
• Dive termination
– May go up in pairs or as a group
– Release the diver safety line and ascend the
down line
– Divers regroup at the surface float
– Divers exit the water
Summary (Finally)
• Blue water diving is a specialized activity that
requires meticulous planning, strong dive skills
and teamwork.
• Pre-Dive planning must include (at a minimum)
– Extension of the buddy system
– Depth control in an environment with no reference
points
– Surface platforms
– Mission protocols and task distribution
– Management of scientific equipment
– Emergency procedures
– Diving procedures