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It will be the responsibility of the individual divers to supply their own face mask and fins for diving operations in the Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility. The Deck Chief or Lead Diver may prohibit a diver from using gear which in their opinion does not meet basic safety standards.
Pressurized air tanks will be standard human-service air tanks, meeting DOT standards. Tanks shall be visually inspected for internal corrosion on a yearly basis, and hydrostatically tested every five years. Any tank which is fully drained down to atmospheric pressure will be visually inspected for moisture condensation and internal corrosion prior to returning to service. Tanks with significant apparent damage will be retired from service. Tanks will be equipped with standard scuba K-valves or equivalent, and will include proper over-pressure burst disks.
It is expected that divers will use SSL-provided and maintained air tanks for diving operations in the NBRF. Divers may choose to use personal equipment if it meets the inspection, test, and record-keeping requirements of this section.
Regulators used in the NBRF will be standard two-stage scuba regulators. Regulators will be inspected and repaired every year by personnel approved by the manufacturer. All regulators used in the NBRF will include a pressure gauge or other means to continually monitor air tank pressure (e.g., air-connected dive computer). Lead divers and safety divers shall dive with "octopus" rigs incorporating an alternate second stage and mouthpiece for contingency sharing of air supplies.
It is expected that divers will use SSL-provided and maintained regulators for diving operations in the NBRF. Divers may choose to use personal equipment if it meets the inspection, test, and record-keeping requirements of this section.
Standard diving operations in the NBRF will use integrated buoyancy compensator/tank backpacks. The SSL Diving Operations Manager shall ensure that all BCs are maintained in good condition. Non-BC backpacks may be used if a separate buoyancy compensator (e.g., a "horse collar") is also worn. Divers will use buoyancy compensators for all standard diving operations.
It is expected that divers will use SSL-provided and maintained buoyancy compensators for diving operations in the NBRF. Divers may choose to use personal equipment if it meets the inspection, test, and record-keeping requirements of this section.
Weight belt usage in standard diving operations will be in accordance with standard diving practices. Ballast weight shall be limited to that needed for personal neutral buoyancy with minimal BC inflation. Weight belts shall be worn over all other hardware to facilitate contingency jettison.
Since certification by a nationally recognized training agency is a requirement for NBRF divers, the Facility Director or Diving Operations Manager may choose to allow the use of SSL equipment on a non-interference basis for open water diving in pursuit of external accreditation. SSL equipment shall not be used for open-water recreational diving. Personnel borrowing SSL equipment for external use are responsible for returning it in a fully cleaned and operational configuration, and will be held financially responsible for any damage or loss.
The Diving Operations Manager shall ensure that all listed equipment
is inspected and maintained as per this section. Each piece of critical
hardware (regulators, tanks, and buoyancy compensators) shall be uniquely
identifiable, and records kept of periodic inspections and maintenance actions.
These records shall be kept for a minimum of three years following the equipment's
removal from service.
Test operations at the Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility may require unique equipment related to underwater life support, such as full face masks or hookah regulators. This equipment will be maintained and documented in accordance with the appropriate requirements of Section 5.1. Diver training to use this equipment will be performed and documented as per the requirements of section 6.