United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Gulf Breeze, Florida
May 1994
EPA
Diver Training
Curriculum
Prepared by
JAMES M. PATRICK, Director, EPA Diver Training
DON LAWHORN, Chairman, EPA Diving Safety Board
DICK RUTKOWSKI, Hyperbarics International, Inc.
NOAA Diving Office
EPA, Safety, Health, and Environmental Management
Division
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X I '
LIBRARY COPY
DIVER TRAINING CURRICULUM
by
'-U
JAMES M. PATRICK, JR.
Director, EPA Diver Training
U.S. EPA Environmental Research Laboratory
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
904-934-9242
DONALD LAWHORN
Chairman, EPA Diving Safety Board
College Station Road
Athens, GA 30613-7799
706-546-2297
DICK RUTKOWSKI
President, Hyperbarics International, Inc.
490 Caribbean Drive
Key Largo, FL 33037
305-451-2551
PROPERTY OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NOAA Diving Office
Rockville, Maryland and
Seattle, Washington
EPA, Division of Safety, Health,
and Environmental Management
Washington, D.C.
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DISCLAIMER
The information described in this manual has not been subjected to
Agency review and is intended to be used as an instructor/student
guide during the EPA Diver Training Course. Mention of trade
names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use.
James M. Patrick
Director, EPA Diver Training
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EPA DIVING TRAINING CURRICULUM
VARIABLE-VOLUME DRY SUIT
DIVING ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT
DIVER RESCUE
OPERATIONAL/WORKING DIVER
CONTAMINATED WATER DIVING
DIVEMASTER
NOAA NITROX I AND II
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DIVING SAFETY BOARD
Bruce Reynolds
U.S. EPA
Environmental Research Laboratory
27 Tarzwell Drive
Narragansett, RI 02882
David W. Charters
EPA/ERT(MS101)
2890 Woodbridge Avenue
Edison, NJ 08832
Don Lawhorn
U.S. EPA
College Station Road
Athens, GA 30613
James Patrick
U.S. EPA
Sabine Island
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
Walter Nied
EPA Region 5
230 S. Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60604
Ed McLean
U.S. EPA
OMEP/MOD WH-556F
Washington, D.C. 20460
David Scott Smith
Safety, Health, and
Environmental Management Division
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
IV
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The material contained in this manual was compiled with assistance
of many valuable suggestions from the NOAA Diving Office staff.
Julius C. Jimeno, Director and Patricia Cox of the EPA Safety,
Health and Environmental Management Division provided funds
for the Diving Accident Management/ Operational Diver Training
Program.
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CURRICULUM OUTLINE
FOR EPA DIVING PROGRAM
Program Purpose:
The purpose of this curriculum is to instructthe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and other visiting divers in the use of variable-volume dry suit, diving accident
management, contaminated water awareness, operational/working diver, divemaster,
and NOAA NITROX I and II. These instructional techniques apply to Underwater
Breathing Apparatus (UBA) to be used with Self-Contained Underwater Breathing
Apparatus (SCUBA) and surface supplied air equipment in accordance with EPA
Directives.
Program Objective:
The obj ective is to ensure that each diver can safely use the UBA in accordance with the
EPA Diving Directives, return to his/her unit and perform working dives. Divers must
have a good working knowledge of the equipment used in the course and limitations in
accomplishing working dives. The program will aid in establishing guidelines used in
contaminated water diving and diving accident management. Any candidate who does
not meet requirements of this outline will be dropped from the EPA Diving Program or
be reverted to a trainee diver. In trainee diver status, divers are not allowed to perform
working dives.
Diver Certification:
Several different levels of certification can be issued after the successful completion of
this training course. Levels of certification are explained in EPA's Diving Safety Policy.
Diving Accident Management will be included in the Scientific Diver and Divemaster
Training. Training in the use of the Superlite-27 diving helmet, with surface supplied gas,
will be provided for those qualified.
Supervisors are encouraged to upgrade training for their divers. Divers currently
possessing the certification asTRAINEE maybe advanced to WORKING DIVER by
successfully completing the Diving Accident Management course and meeting other
requirements. WORKING DIVERS may be certified as ADVANCED WORKING
DIVERS after records of 100 logged working dives have been reviewed, and the
candidate has successfully completed an approved DIVEMASTER TRAINING
COURSE, upon approval of the EPA Diving Safety Board.
No person attending this training will be allowed to miss any class or water work without the
permission of the Training Director. Classes are held during the day and evenings. If a student
cannot be relieved of duty to attend the program full-time, he/she should not attend.
Attendance at this training does not constitute successful course completion.
VI
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CURRICULUM OUTLINE
FOR EPA DIVING PROGRAM
Program Equipment:
All participants should bring all diving equipment from their unit, as listed in this Program
Outline. Participants who cannot bring the proper diver's dress should notify the Course
Director and other arrangements will be made.
Equipment which should be brought by the participant from their unit includes: regulator,
underwater pressure gauge, knife, watch, mask, wet suit, fins, snorkel, compass, depth
gauge, gear bag, 30 Ibs. of weight, weight belt, and back pack. SCUBA tanks are
normally furnished by the Diving Program.
Medical Examinations/ Qualifications:
All participants must show proof of meeting the qualifications as outlined in the EPA
Diving Directives. All participants, through their Unit Diving Officer must submit their
medical records and diving qualification to the EPA Diving Officer before the course
begins. Any participant whose records are not in order will not be allowed in the water
without the approval of the EPA Diving Officer and/or the EPA Diving Medical Review
Board.
Basic Training:
All prospective EPA divers must have successfully completed a basic diver training
course offered by one of the nationally recognized agencies (e.g., NAUI, PADI, YMCA,
NASDS, or approved colleges and universities) and provide theEPADIVERTRATNING
CENTER (DTC) with a photocopy of the certification.
Training Request:
The individual's supervisor must submit a letter of request to the DTC for EPA diver
training and/or certification stating the need for the diver candidate to enter the program.
First Aid and CPR
All divers must have received appropriate First Aid, and CPR training before EPA
certification and provide the DTC GB with a photocopy.
Vll
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CURRICULUM OUTLINE
FOR EPA DIVING PROGRAM
Medical Requirements
Prior to acceptance for initial diver training or certification and annually thereafter, a
diving physical examination is required and the results must be checked for complete-
ness by a certifying official. In order to ensure that the examination received is
appropriate for diving, the following medical forms will be provided:
a. NOAA Diving Medical Evaluation Criteria;
b. SF-88, Report of Medical Examination;
c. SF-93, Report of Medical History or PHS Medical History
Check-Out Dive
In the open water checkout dive and swim, the diving candidate shall demonstrate
confidence and swimming ability during the course by completing the following:
a. Swim a distance of one quarter mile on the surface in full SCUBA gear,
b. Swim a horizontal distance of 50 feet underwater, in full SCUBA gear
with the air turned off,
c. and stay afloat for 30 minutes.
d. Transport another person 75 feet on the surface of the water without
the use of swim aids.
e. Surface dive to a depth of 10 feet using a mask, fins and snorkel, and
recover a 4 pound weight and clear the snorkel after returning to the
surface.
f. Enter the water in full SCUBA gear and demonstrate mask clearing, buddy
breathing, understanding u/w signals, remove and replace equipment and
exit water using a boat ladder and stow equipment
Vlll
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CURRICULUM OUTLINE
FOR EPA DIVING PROGRAM
Working Diver
For certification at the EPA WORKING DIVER level, the diver must present a diving
resume or "dive log" indicating the completion of at least 25 working dives, results of
the dive physical marked "approved for diving", the results of the successful completion
of the NOAA standard SCUBA diving written examination and a record of completion
of EPA's or NO AA's Diving Accident Management course or comparable diver training,
physical requirements and diver proficiency requirements.
Accident Insurance Plan
The visiting diver must have written permission from his office, program or agency
indicating on the job diving will be conducted and the diver is covered by an accident
insurance plan.
Terms of Certification
All EPA certifications shall lapse after two months without a logged dive or thirteen
months without a physical.
Recertifications
The EPA Diving Safety Board Chairman or Director of Diver Training or designees,
(UDO) may recertify a diver whose certification has lapsed after the diver has completed
a requalifying program.
Refresher Training
EPA certified divers may be given periodic refresher training.
Advanced Training
EPA certified divers may be given advanced diver training by regularly scheduled
courses onDIVEMASTER, ADVANCED WORKING DIVER, CONTAMINATED
WATER AWARENESS, OXYGEN ENRICHED AIR, SURFACED SUPPLIED
GAS WITH THE SUPERLITE 17 AND SUPERFLOW 27, AND OTHER
HELMETS AND DRY SUITS, AND CHAMBER OPERATION.
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CURRICULUM OUTLINE
FOR EPA DIVING PROGRAM
FIRST DAY:
0800-0830
Classroom
0830-1000
Classroom
INTRODUCTION
1. Program
2. Facilities
3. Instructors/team leaders
4. Registration
5. Review of diving qualifications, medicals, etc.
6. Team selection
7. Transportation, hotels, etc.
8. Inventory of student diving equipment
HYPOTHERMIA/HYPERTHERMIA
1. Body core temperature changes and their
physiological effects
Heat transfer
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
a. Conduction
b. Convection
c. Radiation
Prevention of heat loss in cold water
Prevention of over-heating
Restoring body heat in hypothermia
Lowering body temperature in hyperthermia
Decompression tables and cold-water diving
Missed decompression procedures
Blowup decompression procedures
Polluted water diving
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FIRST DAY: THE VARIABLE-VOLUME DRY SUIT
1. Purpose of the dry suit
2. Pros/cons of Viking vs. other variable-volume dry
suits
3. Preparing the dry suit for diving:
a. Inspection procedures for holes, etc.
b. Inspection and care of the zipper
c. Check on inlet/outlet valves
d. Care of the neck seal and cuffs
e. Operation, care and inspection of inflation hose
f. Repairing the suit
g. Proper fit and its importance
h. Lubrication of neck seal and cuffs before entry
i. Mobility in the dry suits
j. Cleaning of the suit after normal use
k. Disinfecting washdown of polluted water dive
DANGERS OF USING DRY SUITS
1. Blowups ~ how they can occur and contribute to
embolism:
a. Air in the legs when inverted
b. Dropping of the weight belt
c. Using the dry suit as a lift bag
d. Stuck inlet, inflator hose/valve
e. BC fully inflated preventing access to purge
valve
f. Nonfunctioning purge valve
2. Holes in upper portion of dry suit and loss
ofbuoyancy
3. Diver in inverted position due to air in legs
4. Out of air and difficulty in maintaining buoyancy
5. Suit too large and loss of fins due to air in feet
6. Suit too tight
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FIRST DAY: BLOW UP PREVENTION
AND RECOVERY METHODS
1. Don't use the variable-volume suit as a lift bag
2. Ensure adequate training in use of the dry suit
3. Know emergency venting procedures:
a. Neck seal
b. Wrist
c. Purge valve
d. Flare-outs to slow ascent
4. Don't use BC over purge and inlet valves
5. Use shoulder harness or other means of holding
weight belt in place, especially with weak buckles
WEIGHT BELTS
1. Use of a heavily weighted scuba weight belt and
problems (buckles not holding)
2. The pros and cons of using harnesses on weight
belts or using commercial-type belts with harnesses
3. The use of weights: types, sizes, and how to place
them for best position in the water
4. Dangers of dropping weight belts (blowups)
5. Weighing for the dive and check buoyancy
ANKLE WEIGHTS
1. Keep feet down helping to prevent inverted blowup
2. Allow for more air in legs, keeping lower half of the
diver warmer
3. Some weight retained if weight belt is lost
4. Help to keep feet in boots of dry suit if diver gets
inverted
5. Make swimming harder, especially long distances
FIN STRAPS
Help to keep fins on when jumping into water or when
diver gets into inverted position and air gets into legs.
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FIRST DAY: NECK SEAL
1. Proper fit for good seal around the neck
2. How to wear the seal
3. Lubrication and ease of donning
4. Venting suit through neck seal
5. Leaks caused by long hair
6. Advantages of neck seals in surface-supplied diving
HOODS
1. Possible external squeeze
2. Problems associated with air in hood on ascent
3. Elimination of air in hood with a hole
4. Care of hood and seal
5. Long hair and problems associated with leaks
6. Problems of leaks due to overlapping of hood and
mask
7. Venting from hood and neck seal
AIR INLET VALVE
1. Proper use for buoyancy control (ascent/descent)
2. Cleaning and inspecting before dive
3. Dangers involved with stuck inlet valve
4. Quick-connect to air hose and its function
5. Problems if quick-connect becomes loose under
water
AIR OUTLET VALVE (PURGE)
1. Proper use (ascent/descent)
2. Cleaning, inspecting and lubricating
3. Stuck purge valve
4. Leaky valve
4
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FIRST DAY: AIR HOSE
1. Proper type and fit
2. Purpose
3. Quick-connect
4. Adapting hose to the first stage:
a. U.S. models must use an adaptor with Teflon set
to change from metric thread
b. A "T" swivel might be needed if only one low-
pressure port on first stage
c. A new modification-type hose is used to prevent
fitting from coming off at depth
d. Quick-connect is cleaned and lubricated for
proper operation
AIR IN SUIT
1. Insulation for warmth
2. Buoyancy control
3. Changes in buoyancy due to depth
4. Blowups (inverted/upright)
UNDERWEAR
1. Types, purposes and insulation qualities
2. Additional weight with additional underwear
CUFFS
1. Importance of proper fit
2. Venting from cuffs
3. Lubrication
4. Repair
5. Type of material
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FIRST DAY:
ZIPPER
1. Care and lubrication of zipper
1000-1030
Classroom
FINS
1. Types of dry suits
2. Proper fit
3. Shoe and suit interface problems
4. Fin straps and their importance
5. Dangers of losing fins:
a. When jumping into water
b. When diver is in inverted position
FILM, 20 MIN., TV, VIDEO, B&W
(This film demonstrates the normal and emergency
functions of the Unisuit)
1. Ascending/descending, using air inlet valve and
purge valve with controlled conditions
2. Descending without letting air into the dry suit (this
demonstrates suit squeeze in all portions of the body)
3. Inverted diver with air in legs attempting to right himself
4. Venting from the wrists
5. Swimming without weight belt
6. Venting from the neck seal
7. Barrel roll showing movement of air in suit
8. Adding air, becoming positive, and venting from
wrist, neck, and/or purge
9. Inverted diver drops weight belt, corrects position,
and controls buoyancy to the surface
10. Dropping weight belt and controlled breathing
ascent to surface
11. Descending without weight belt
12. Shoulder-harness-type weightdemonstration(with
buckles and velcro) the pros and cons of shoulder
harness use
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1030-1130
Classroom
SUIT SELECTION
(CHECK FOR FIT) INVENTORY
I. Each student is fitted with a suit for the duration
of the program
2. Suits are checked by students for leaks
3. Suits repaired as needed
4. Each student is issued an air inlet hose
5. Students attach air inlet hose to first stage to ensure
proper threads from U.S. to metric
6. Each student is issued fin straps
ACCESSORIES
I. Weighted shoes for stability
2. Rubbers or galoshes for protection
3. Gloves: types, insulation values, and duration of use
in cold water for each type
4. Under-gloves for added insulation
5. Full-face mask for added warmth/communications
6. Hats, pots and/or helmets and how they can be
mated to the dry suit
a. Neck seal, hat, pot, and/or helmet not attached
b. Neck ring, hat, pot, and/or helmet attached
7. Mixed gas diving and different heating values
8. Coveralls: types, reasons for wearing, etc.
9. CI eaning, storing and/or hanging the dry suit
1130-1300
LUNCH
7
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FIRST DAY:
1300-1355
Pool
(Shallow End)
DRY SUIT CHECKOUTS
1. Program instructor demonstrates getting into
and out of dry suit
2. All students prepare their suits for diving
a. Set up dive stations with team leader/buddy
b. Set up scuba tank and regulator
c. Lubricate dry suit, cuffs, neck seal, and zipper as
needed
3. Students dress in dry suit
4. Students checked by instructor for:
a. Proper fit
b. Proper equipment
c. Proper connections of air hose to regulator and
suit
d. Proper type, fit and weight on weight belt
e. Proper fins and fit with fin straps
5. Students enter shallow end of pool for self-checkout
of:
a. Suit buoyancy with and without weights
b. Use of air inlet valve and purge valve
c. Ascent and descent with use of air inlet and
purge valves, and proper position for use
d. Getting into inverted position, air in legs
e. Swimming with and without ankle weights
f. Mobility in suit
g. Venting from wrists and neck seal
h. Swimming with and without weight belt
i. Barrel rolls
j. Removal of face mask and work with hood seal
8
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FIRST DAY:
Pool
(Deep End)
1630-1700
DRY SUIT CHECKOUTS
1. Students enter deep end of pool for self-checkout
of dry suit:
a. Perform exercises in item 5 above
b Check suit squeeze
c. Controlled ascents and non-controlled ascents
SECURE FROM POOL ACTIVITIES
1. Undress and secure diving dress and equipment
2. Report to team leader for debriefing
3. Report defective equipment and repairs needed
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SECOND DAY:
0800-0845
0845-1000
1000-1015
1015-1100
1. Homework review (physics/physiology)
2. Question and answer period
3. Debriefing of previous day's water work by team
leaders
4. Briefing and schedules for day's program
1. Diving Accident Management
a. Pressure i) ATA, FSW and PSI
b. Physics i) Dalton'sLaw
(P = P1+P2 + P3 ...etc.)
ii) Partial pressure of gases
c. Boyle's Law i) Pressure vs. Volume
ii) Pressure vs. Diameter
d. Boyle's Law as related to the skin diver
(breath holding)
e. Boyle's Law as related to scuba diving and
breathing under pressure
BREAK
1. Extra Alveolar Air
a. Physics
b. Physiology
c. Pathophysiology of:
i. Arterial Gas Embolism
ii. Pneumothorax
iii. Pneumopericardium
iv. Pneumomediastinum
10
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SECOND DAY:
1100-1145
TEAM BRIEFING FOR AFTERNOON
WATER WORK
1145-1300
LUNCH
1300-1600
Open Water
TEAM LEADERS ORGANIZE TEAMS
AND DIVE STATIONS/SITES
1. Teams report to the dive site
2. Leaders brief teams on their respective dive projects
3. Teams set up dive stations, check all gear, and work
with buddy to ensure he has all gear and under-
stands the dive plan
Dive teams dress in dry suits
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Buddies check each other, review dive plan and
tables
Team leaders check each dive team
Divemaster and/or safety diver check each diver
Divemaster/team leader ensure diving accident
management emergency plan is in effect
Teams check out with divemaster and enter water
11
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SECOND DAY: PURPOSE (Dive Plan)
The purpose of this dive is to let students become familiar
with their diving dress (dry suits) for the first time in open-
water conditions. Diver will work with team leader and/or
divemaster and demonstrate performance of all normal and
emergency procedures as practiced in the pool the previ-
ous day. The rate of advancement through these exercises
will be determined by the instructor. Students who do not
show proficiency will remain one-on-one with the team
leader until proficiency is demonstrated. This will allow
students to move to the next part of the training program
(working with another student). The rate of advancement
through these exercises is determined by the instructor/
team leader.
The team leader/instructor will ensure that dive area is
cleared for diving in accordance with the EPA Diving
Directives. The diving accident management emergency
plan must be in effect and understood by all involved, in
accordance with the EPA Diving Directives and the EPA
Diving Accident Management manual.
The students will use all dry suit techniques as employed
in the previous days' pool session. The afternoon session
will use ascending/descending lines to control rates, but
will make excursions using buddy lines and diver-to-
surface lines. While making these excursion in limited
visibility, divers will use a compass. The tending diver on
the surface will signal divers below with the line-pull
signals when he/she wants them to come up for any reason
A diving safety boat must be in the water in case of
diving emergency, and equipped to handle emergencies in
accordance with EPA Diving Directives. All appropriate
clearances must be maintained for diving, and appropriate
flags must be flown in accordance with the EPA Diving
Directives.
12
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SECOND DAY: SECURE FROM DIVING OPERATIONS
1. Secure diving projects
2. Secure diving accident management network
3. Inform all appropriate authorities that diving
operations are secured, remove diving flags
4. Secure diving equipment, undress, and clean all
gear
5. Debriefing by team leader
1600-1630
BREAK
1630-1800
CONTINUE DIVING ACCIDENT
MANAGEMENT/RESCUE FOR E.A.A.
1 . Prevention of diving accidents (E.A.A.)
a. Medical Causes
b. Operational
c. Environmental
2. Early recognition of signs/symptoms of E.A.A.
3. First aid of diving accident
a. Use of oxygen and its importance, medical
implications and pathophysiology
b. Protection of airway and vital signs
c. Oxygen safety
d. Oxygen delivery systems
13
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THIRD DAY:
0800-0845
HOMEWORK REVIEW
(Physics/Physiology III)
0845-0900
TEAM LEADER REVIEW SESSION
0845-1000
MAN AND HIS NEW ENVIRONMENT
Acclimation to mean sea level
Ascending to lesser pressure (hypobaric conditions)
Descending to higher pressures (hyperbaric conditions)
Ascending/descending in unpressurized conditions
Controlling physiological parameters within the body,
under varying pressures
Barotrauma (direct effects of pressure) and the semi-rigid
spaces in the body and how they are affected
Indirect effects of pressure (decompression sickness and
density of gases)
a) Inward/outward gradient of inert gases from
thebody and importance of keeping it in balance
Note: Divers attending this program should fully
understand the physics, physiology and medical
aspects of decompression sickness. The lecture
above is a quick review, especially for non-
divers, of the basic physics/physiology of diving.
14
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THIRD DAY: MEDICAL ASPECTS
(Signs/Symptoms)
1. Decompression sickness
a. How it occurs
b. Onset times
c. Post dive early recognition of mild/severe
signs and symptoms
d. Immediate first aid
2. Examination by physician at chamber
3. Transfer into chamber and related problems
4. Flashback to accident site, showing victim coming
to surface confused, being helped into boat and first
aid being administered. Full narration of procedures
as performed for a conscious and unconscious
victim
5. Coast Guard alarm office and their procedures for
alerting flight crews
6. Complete visual display of "bubble trouble",
signs/symptoms
7. Complete animated outline of the pathology of
decompression sickness and extra alveolar air
REVIEW OF:
a. Importance of oxygen and its pharmacology
b. The Trendelenburg Position/Left Lateral Down
c. Liquids and aspirin and the pharmacology
1000-1015 BREAK
75
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THIRD DAY:
1015-1100
DIVING ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT
(Manual is used for this lecture as a guideline and for
future reference)
History of first aid procedures
Case history of victim with management in the field and
outcome at the chamber
Case history of victim with proper first aid and evacuation
Review of the diving accident flow chart first aid
procedure
a. Mild symptoms
b. Severe symptoms
Step by step explanation of the flow chart, why and when
to give oxygen, and other first aid measures
The importance of first aid for early mild symptoms
a. Fatigue
b. Weakness
c. Indifference/personality changes
d. Skin rash
1100-1200
INTRODUCTION TO ADVANCED
DIVE EQUIPMENT
1. AGA (Use and Service)
2. Wireless Communication
3. Finger Locator
4. Hand pull signals
1200-1300
LUNCH
16
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THIRD DAY:
1300-1630 WATER WORK
I. Purpose of day's dive plan: The purpose of this day is
for team leaders to designate divemasters and allow
them to supervise a diving operation/project of less
qualified divers on any of the projects designated by
the Diving Supervisor. This might be any project
outlined in days one and two of this program.
Students with lesser qualifications should use these
projects to improve their diving ability and skills.
2. Objectives:
a. The objective of the above dive plan is to ensure
that each divemaster can supervise diving opera-
tions with less qualified divers, in accordance
with the EPA Diving Directives and this Course
Outline. He should be confident in all emergency
situations, make decisions to avoid accidents,
and in the event of an accident, be able to stabi-
lize the victim and evacuate him to the hyper-
baric trauma system, if needed.
b. Student divers should be able to perform all
working skills of an EPA working diver, in
accordance with the EPA Diving Directives and
this Course Outline.
c. Previously qualified EPA divers who are in this
course to requalify must demonstrate their skills.
3. Team leaders, diving supervisors, instructors, and
divemasters must observe all subordinates and
report their abilities, particularly if there are any
students with abilities less than the standards out-
lined in this Course Outline and the EPA Diving
Directives.
4. Any diver whose performance/ability/skill/knowl-
edge upon completion of this course does not equal
that of an EPA working diver or higher will, upon
recommendation of the Course Director through the
EPA Safety Board Chairman, be dropped from the
EPA Diving Program or reverted to an EPA Trainee
Diver.
17
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THIRD DAY:
1300-163O
INSTRUCTOR
WATER WORK
TEAM BRIEFING BY DIVEMASTER
TRAINEE, SUPERVISED BY
1. Team leader/instructor/divemaster selection
2. Team selection and other surface support personnel
3. Hyperbaric accident trauma network requirements:
a. Emergency phone numbers
b. Money for emergency phone calls
c. Call or visit to chamber complex
d. Verification that local paramedics know dive
site, where chamber is located, and diving acci-
dent/first aid procedures
e. Communication channels/frequencies
f. Mechanical resuscitative equipment at site
g. Oxygen supply at dive site (enough to transport
patient to chamber complex)
4. Small boats as needed
5. Plan to remove injured diver out of water
6. Surface support personnel (standby/safety diver)
7. Secure dive site for diving operations:
a. Notification of proper authorities: harbor, Coast
Guard, etc., to ensure safe diving operations
8. Diving flags on shore/floats, as needed
9. Safe ship dive check-off sheet, if working under
boats or docks in immediate area, to ensure that
they have no electronic equipment operating that
could be harmful to divers (pingers, sonar, etc.),
even though diving operations might not be under
ships
18
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THIRD DAY:
10. Dive projects as directed by Diving Instructor:
Dry Suits
Surface Supply Diving
U/W Communications
(Wireless, Hard Wire, Hand Signals,
Diver Recall Systems)
Search and Recovery Procedures
Underwater Tools (Flange)
Underwater Metal Detectors
Active/Passive Pinger Locators
Underwater Cutting (Mapp Gas)
Nitrox I and II
Teams will be assigned projects as directed by EPA Diving
Instructors.
1630-1700 Debriefing by Diving Instructors
Fill in dive log
1700-1800
1. The importance of first aid, stabilization and evacu-
ation for severe signs/symptoms
a. Joint pains
b. Dizziness/visual disturbances
c. Paralysis efface, limbs or extremities
d. Feeling of blow on chest/chest pain
e. Shortness of breath
f. Severe hacking cough/bloody, frothy mouth
g. Staggering/difficulty telling direction
h. Convulsions
i. Collapse or unconsciousness
j. Cessation of breathing and/or pulse
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THIRD DAY:
2. Importance of knowing location of nearest hyper-
baric trauma center and how to evacuate victim
a. Availability of hyperbaric physician
b. Availability and location of multi-place, multi-
lock recompression chamber
c. Methods of evacuation (air/land)
d. Communication (phone/radio)
3. Importance of qualification in first aid procedures
and CPRand the importance of emergency medical
equipment at site
a. Oxygen, type, supply and delivery system
b. Neurological base line equipment
c. Complete first aid kit for diver/marine use
d. Fluids (oral/I.V.), I.V. by qualified persons only
e. Aspirin, Afrin, etc.
4. Emergency evacuation procedures for paramedics,
physicians and flight crews. The importance of their
knowing these procedures before beginning evacua-
tion.
a. Maintain breathing and heart functions, ensure
airway is open and remains open
b. Supply oxygen to patient in transport, pros/cons
of the Trendelenburg Position/Left Lateral Down
c. Ensure paramedics/physicians understand why
diving accident victims must be taken directly to
recompression chamber facility instead of to a
hospital
d. Ensure they understand why patient must be kept
on oxygen (unless convulsions occur). Without
oxygen, bubbles will reload with nitrogen and
worsen condition.
e. Keep patient out of hot sun and monitor for
shock
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THIRD DAY:
f. Do not give pain killing drugs. I.V.'s can be
started to prevent vascular collapse or dehydra-
tion (plain lactated ringers is I.V. of choice:
otherwise, D5LR or DI/2NS). Two aspirins may
be given.
g. Instruct flight crews to fly or pressurize aircraft
below 1000 feet (if no hazard to aircraft).
Pressure as near to mean sea level is desired
h. Prepare a complete history of events leading up
to, and including accident should be forwarded.
All first aid measures taken and any previous
medical history of patient should be forwarded
with patient
i. In the event of a fatality, all diving equipment
should be forwarded to the proper authority
5. In-water recompression (pros/cons)
In-water recompression should not be attempted:
a. It loads the bubbles more
b. Exposure time is too great
c. Environmental factors subject to change
d. Pros/cons of in-water treatment with oxygen
e. If serious symptoms exist, it is not possible to
put into water. If mild symptoms, time exists to
evacuate
f. Missed decompression procedures
(asymptomatic)
6. Recompression chamber requirements (35 mm slide
presentation of types/sizes/purposes)
a. Multi-place, multi-lock, 6 ata
b. Multi-place, single-lock, 6 ata
c. Mono-place (single-place), 2 ata
d. Single-place, 6 ata
e. Portable, inflatable (PIRC)
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THIRD DAY:
Pressure must be sufficient to reduce bubble size
(gas embolism requires 6 atmospheres and even this
only reduces the diameter of the bubble by 52%).
Physicians should have a multi-place, multi-lock, 6 ATA
a. To maintain vital signs and monitor patient
b. Keep airway clear
c. Perform neurological examinations necessary
to determine proper treatment/reoccurrence
ofsymptoms
d. Perform operations such as intubation as needed
Pulmonary overdistention cases may have air leakage
causing a tension pneumothorax which requires hands-on
care and continuous monitoring. Physicians must have the
option of changing from oxygen to air and/or going deeper
than 2 atmospheres when necessary. Mono-type chambers
do not have this capability.
Oxygen convulsions may cause respiratory arrest, close off
patient's glottis, causing embolism while dropping pres-
sure to relieve convulsions
It is often better to transport victims without putting them
into a one-lock chamber for the above reasons. Transpor-
tation using oxygen and Trendelenburg while monitoring
vitals is often the best way.
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THIRD DAY: COMMUNICATIONS
Ensure participants understand the importance of
communications to:
a. Talk with physician on the beach
b. Alert the Coast Guard, if at sea
c. Know all important frequencies and numbers
necessary to make a medical evacuation in U.S.
and foreign territories
i. Know all frequencies and telephone
numbers for contacting shore-based
paramedics
ii. Know all numbers for recompression
chamber facilities and/or physicians
attached to them
iii. Have copies of international/domestic
chamber facilities, USN, Worldwide
Hyperbaric Chamber, Shore Based,
NAV SHIPS 0994-4011
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THIRD DAY: HELICOPTER EVACUATION
PROCEDURES
1. Try to establish communications with the helicopter.
If your boat is unable to, work through another boat
if possible
2. Maintain speed of 10 to 15 knots
3. Maintain course into the wind, about 20 degrees on
port bow
4. Put all antennas down if possible, while continuing
to maintain communications
5. Secure all loose objects on/around decks
6. Always let the lifting device (stretcher) touch the
boat before handling, to prevent electric shock
7. Place life jacket on patient
8. Tie patient in basket (stretcher) face up
9. If patient cannot communicate, place as much infor-
mation about him as possible on note paper and
pin to clothes (age, name, address, medications
given, etc.)
10. If patient is a diving accident victim, ensure that
flight crew has a copy of or is instructed in
procedures for diving accidents and will take
patient to hyperbaric trauma complex (chamber)
11. If patient dies, inform flight crew
12. Instruct flight crews to fly as low as possible to
prevent pressure changes and explain why
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FOURTH DAY:
0800-0845
0845-1000
1000-1015
1015-1100
Review Homework (Physics/Physiology III)
Review previous day's diving project
NITROX DIVING
I. Dive planning
a. Gas physiology (narcosis, DCS and
CNS balance)
2. Gas supply requirements
3. Cylinder duration
4. Gas analyzation
5. Compressor safety (lubricants, filters and the lungs)
6. Decompression procedures
7. Dive safety
8. Contaminated water (diving and equipment)
a. Type of dress
b. Decontamination
c. On-site coordinator
d. On-site awareness of contaminants
e. Use of ROV's and other related equipment
BREAK
Physics of nitrox diving
Oxygen life support ranges
CNS oxygen toxicity
Equivalent air depth concept
Nitrox decompression tables
Oxygen safety
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FOURTH DAY:
1115-1200
Advanced equipment briefing
Wireless communication systems
Nitrox diving
1200-1300 LUNCH
1300-1630 WATER WORK
1. Purpose of day's dive plan: The purpose of this day
is for instructors to designate divemasters and allow
them to supervise a diving operation/project of less
qualified divers on any of the projects designated by
Diving Instructors. This might be any project out-
lined in days one and two of this program. Students
with lesser qualifications should use these projects
to improve their diving ability and skills.
2. Objectives:
a. The objective of the above dive plan is to ensure
that each divemaster can supervise diving opera-
tions with less qualified divers, in accordance
with the EPA Diving Directives and this Course
Outline. He should be confident in all emergency
situations, make decisions to avoid accidents,
and in the event of an accident, be able to stabi-
lize the victim and evacuate him to the hyper-
baric trauma system, if needed.
b. Student divers should be able to perform all
working skills of an EPA working diver, in ac-
cordance with the EPA Diving Directives and
this Course Outline.
c. Previously qualified EPA divers who are in this
course to requalify must demonstrate their skills.
3. Team leaders, diving supervisors, instructors, and
divemasters must observe all subordinates and
report their abilities, particularly if there are any
students with abilities less than the standards out-
lined in this Course Outline and the EPA Diving
Directives.
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FOURTH DAY:
1300-1630
INSTRUCTOR
4. Any diver whose performance/ability/skill/knowl-
edge upon completion of this course does not equal
that of an EPA working diver or higher will, upon
recommendation of the Course Director through the
EPA Safety Board Chairman, be dropped from the
EPA Diving Program or reverted to an EPA Trainee
Diver.
WATER WORK
TEAM BRIEFING BY DIVEMASTER
TRAINEE, SUPERVISED BY
1. Team leader/instructor/divemaster selection
2. Team selection and other surface support personnel
3. Establish hyperbaric accident trauma network
requirements:
a. Emergency phone numbers
b. Money for emergency phone calls
c. Call or visit to chamber complex
d. Verification that local paramedics know dive
site, and know where chamber is located, and
diving accident/first aid procedures
e. Communication channels/frequencies
f. Mechanical resuscitative equipment at site
g. Oxygen supply at dive site (enough to transport
patient to chamber complex)
4. Small boats as needed
5. Plan to remove injured diver out of water
6. Surface support personnel (standby/safety diver)
7. Secure dive site for diving operations:
a. Notification of proper authorities: harbor, Coast
Guard, etc., to ensure safe diving operations
8. Diving flags on shore/floats, as needed
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FOURTH DAY:
9. Safe ship dive check-off sheet if working under
boats or docks in immediate area, to ensure that
they have no electronic equipment operating that
could be harmful to divers (pingers, sonar, etc.),
even though diving operations might not be under
the ships
10. Dive proj ects directed by diving instructors:
Dry Suits
Surface Supply Diving
U/W Communications (Wireless, Hard Wire,
Hand Signals,
Diver Recall Systems)
Search and Recovery Procedures
Underwater Tools (Flange)
Underwater Metal Detectors
Active/Passive Finger Locators
Underwater Cutting (Mapp Gas)
Practical Use of NOAA Nitrox I and II
Teams will be assigned projects as directed by the
EPA Diving Instructors.
1630-1715 NITROX (continued)
1. Mixing
2. Gas analyzers
3. Nitrox diver equipment
4. Determining correct mixtures vs. depth
1715-1800
CONTAMINATED WATER
FILMS (NOAA/EPA)
END OF DAY FOUR
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FIFTH DAY:
0800-O830
0830-1200
HOMEWORK REVIEW
(Gas Supply and
Decompression Tables)
Review EPA Dive Regulations
EPA Dive Examination -
100 questions plus decompression problems
Review Exam
Check in equipment
Certification
End of course
NOTE:
Schedule of events subject to change
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30
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COURSE MATERIALS
(Manuals/Handouts)
(FILMS/SLIDES)
a. Hypothermia
b. Hyperthermia
c. Dry suit Emergency Training Techniques
d. Overview of Diving Accidents
e. Microbial Hazards of Diving
f. Demonstration of NOAA/EPA Contaminated
Diving Protection
g. Contaminated Water EPA Diving Operations
h. Use of ROV 's in Contaminated Water by EPA
Emergency Response Team
MATERIALS/HANDOUTS
a. Diving Accident Management Manual
b. Instructor/Student Guide to NITROX Use
c. Equipment Innovations Cut Risk for Divers
d. Interim Protocol for Diving Operations in
Contaminated Waters
e. Microbial Hazards of Diving in Polluted Water
f. Compressor, Lubricants, Filters and the Lungs
g. Program Curriculum
h. Dry Suit Diving/Equipment Guidelines
i. Factors That Contribute to the Bends
j. Homework Assignments
k. Nitrox Training Manual
1. USN Divers Handbook
m. NOAA Diving Manual
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COURSE PROJECTS
(PRACTICAL)
SURFACE SUPPLIED SYSTEM
(DCS) WITH COMMUNICATIONS
The DCS-3 surface supplied air control system from DSI
is a lightweight, portable dive control system for use in
surface supplied diving operations
VARIABLE VOLUME DRY SUITS (VVDS)
Variable volume dry suits from Avon and Viking are used
in polluted water diving. These suits are used for protec-
tion and buoyance control.
PINGER LOCATOR, PINCERS
The pinger locator is a diver handheld underwater acoustic
locator system that receives signals of a certain frequency
from underwater beacons. This enables the diver to locate
a site that is not buoyed.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS (3)
The AQUACOM single sideband underwater communication
provides diver to diver or diver to surface communication by
usingthrough-watertransceivers
SUPERLITE 27 WITH MATED DRY SUIT
The Superlite 27 along with a dry suit and surface supplied
air can be used for polluted water diving, for mixed gas
diving, when protective head gear is needed, or when
communications are needed.
DIAMOND REEF SYSTEM
The Diamond Reef System is a unique, artificial reef
composed of PVC diamonds suspended at various depths.
The diver is required to swim through each diamond with-
out touching them. This training device is excellent for
improving buoyancy control.
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COURSE PROJECTS
(PRACTICAL)
DRUM OVERPACK AND RECOVERY
One 55 gallon drum will be overpacked underwater and
ecovered by divers dressed for contaminated water diving.
The diver will then me decontaminated with a pressure
washer.
LIFT BAGS
50 lb., 100 lb., and 200 Ib. lift bags are used to bring
heavy equipment or samples safely to the surface for
recovery.
FLANGE
This project consists of a 36 nut, bolt, and washer flange
that will be disassembled and then assembled by divers in
order to expose them to working conditions while using a
VVDS.
SEARCH AND RECOVERY
A team of divers use a jack-stay to conduct a search
pattern to recover an object lost underwater.
COMPASS RUNS
Compass runs are used to teach students to use compass
bearings to navigate underwater.
MK II AGA and EXO-26
FULL FACE MASK
These positive pressure full face masks are used in
conjunction with dry suits, surface supplied, and
communication systems such as the AQUACOM SSB.
These are used for protection from aspiration of water
molecules in polluted water diving.
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