As a commercial diver you have to be familiar with the advanced techniques necessary to dive safely in challenging underwater environments. This can require a real understanding and knowledge of deep diving techniques, particularly those that involve navigating low visibility situations while minimizing risk. In this blog post, we’ll explore these powerful methods in detail — everything from equipment setup and preparation to important navigational strategies. We’ll uncover tips for staying safe during every stage of your commercial dive training journey so that you can focus on getting the job done safely and efficiently. With this knowledge and proper practice, commercial divers can leave their shallow-water fears behind and confidently plunge into the depths of even the most daunting underwater projects.
Table of Contents
What is Commercial Diving?
Commercial diving is a profession that involves diving underwater to perform various tasks such as construction, maintenance, inspection, and repair of underwater structures such as oil rigs, ships, bridges, and dams. It can also include search and rescue operations, scientific research, exploration and production sector and underwater photography and videography. Commercial diving is a highly specialised and skilled profession that requires extensive training, physical fitness, and specialised equipment and techniques. Commercial divers often work in hazardous environments and face numerous risks and challenges, including exposure to high pressures, decompression sickness, and cold temperatures. Safety is a top priority in commercial diving, and strict regulations and protocols are in place to ensure the safety of divers and the success of their projects.
Deep Diving Techniques Used by Commercial Divers
Gas mixes
At greater depths of hot water, the air we breathe becomes toxic due to the increased pressure, so commercial divers use gas mixtures for breathing underwater. These gas mixes include helium, nitrogen, and oxygen, and the ratios of these gases are carefully controlled to avoid toxic effects on the diver’s body.
Gas mixes are crucial in deep-water diving, as the atmospheric pressure at greater depths is too intense for humans to survive in pure oxygen. Commercial divers use tailored mixtures of helium, nitrogen, and oxygen to breathe underwater. The mix is carefully adjusted to ensure that the diver is not subject to toxic effects on their body caused by an imbalance of gases or a lack of oxygen. The safety and success of a dive rely on these specialised breathing gas mixes.
Decompression strategies
Decompression sickness can occur when ambient pressure on a diver ascends too quickly, and nitrogen bubbles form in the body. To prevent this, commercial divers use decompression strategies, such as staged decompression, to gradually return to the surface and release nitrogen from their bodies safely.
Decompression strategies are essential for commercial divers to minimise their risk of decompression sickness. Staged decompression is the most commonly used strategy and involves gradually returning to the surface while releasing nitrogen slowly, thus allowing the body to adjust accordingly. This technique has proven to be effective in mitigating the risks associated with decompression sickness, giving commercial divers peace of mind that they can descend and ascend safely.
Dive planning
Deep dives require careful planning to ensure the divers have enough gas and equipment to safely complete the task. The dive plan includes details such as the depth, duration, decompression chamber, gas mix, and decompression stops.
Properly planning a deep dive is essential, as it helps ensure the safety of all divers on-site. A comprehensive dive plan must include considerations such as what kind of gas mix will be used in the dive and at what depths divers should make their decompression stops, in addition to details like the duration and depth of the dive. Without an appropriate dive plan, it is not advised for recreational divers even to attempt a deep-sea mission.
Equipment considerations
Commercial divers use specialised equipment for deep dives, including saturation diving systems, diving bells, and mixed gas regulators. This equipment is designed to withstand the pressures at depth and provide the divers with the necessary support and safety features for saturation dives.
Equipment considerations are of the utmost importance for deep-sea and commercial diving contractors, as divers rely heavily on specialised equipment to protect them and ensure they have all they need while underwater. This equipment includes saturation diving systems, diving bells and mixed gas regulators, all of which have been designed to be able to withstand the intense external pressures seen at depths. All this equipment provides commercial divers with the peace of mind that their safety has been adequately looked after and that they can complete their dives successfully.
Communication systems
Communication is critical in deep dives, as the divers may be out of visual range or unable to speak due to their equipment. Commercial divers use specialised communication systems, such as underwater radios or hand signals, to communicate with their team on the surface.
For commercial divers, communication is key to conduct successful dives. Most often, divers rely on underwater radios or hand signals to establish a line of communication between them and crew members on the surface. While hand signals can be made out of visual range and underwater radios are reliable, these systems come with their limitations, whether it be the inability to make comprehensible speech due to equipment or lack of clarity due to ambient noise in the water. Despite its challenges, communication is essential for deep dives so that each team member can stay informed and work together safely.
Diving techniques
Deep dives require specialized diving techniques to conserve gas and oxygen, such as slow and controlled movements and staying still to conserve energy. The divers must also be aware of their buoyancy and adjust their weight to maintain their position underwater.
D divers need to employ specific technical diving techniques to successfully achieve a deep dive. Such techniques include breathing slowly and deeply for optimal oxygen conservation, exhibiting deliberate movements that require minimal energy expenditure, and being mindful of buoyancy control which can be achieved by perfectly balancing the diver’s weight with the surrounding water pressure. Prior familiarity with and deployment of such techniques can help ensure a successful and safe deep dive experience.
Safety procedures
Safety is a top priority in deep dives. Commercial divers follow strict safety procedures, such as pre-dive checks, regular equipment maintenance, and emergency procedures in case of equipment failure or injury.
Professional divers always take the necessary precautions to protect both themselves and those around them. Before any dive, an extensive safety check is run to make sure that equipment is properly functioning and not showing signs of potential issues that could arise during the job. Regular crew-wide drills help ensure procedures are well understood and rehearsed in an effort to prevent any dangerous accidents. In addition, a complete set of emergency protocols is ready should something go wrong while underwater, allowing divers to quickly assess the situation and enact measures to improve safety as needed. Overall, safety procedures are essential for deep dive operations so that professional divers can take on their projects with confidence.
Commercial divers can safely and effectively perform tasks at greater depths and in more challenging underwater environments by using these deep diving techniques and following strict safety protocols.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep can commercial divers go?
Commercial divers can go as deep as 300 meters, but most commercial diving operations take their offshore diving take place between 30-50 meters.
What gases do commercial divers breathe when deep diving?
Commercial divers breathe gas mixtures, which include helium, nitrogen, and oxygen, in carefully controlled ratios to avoid toxic effects.
What is staged decompression?
Staged decompression is a technique commercial divers use to gradually return to the surface and safely release nitrogen from their bodies. It involves stopping at various depths during the ascent and releasing nitrogen through a process known as decompression.
What is saturation diving?
Saturation diving is a technique some military diving commercial divers use to live and work underwater for extended periods. The divers are kept in a pressurised environment, and their bodies are saturated with gas mixtures to avoid the need for decompression stops during their stay.
What equipment do commercial divers use for deep dives?
Commercial divers use specialised diving equipment, such as saturation diving systems, diving bells, and mixed gas regulators, designed to withstand the pressures at depth and provide the divers with the necessary support and safety features.
What communication systems do commercial divers use during deep dives?
Commercial divers use specialised communication systems, such as underwater radios or hand signals, to communicate with their team on the surface.
What are the risks associated with deep diving?
Risks associated with deep diving include decompression sickness, nitrogen narcosis, hypothermia, equipment failure, and underwater hazards.
How do commercial divers maintain their physical and mental health during deep dives?
Commercial divers maintain their physical and mental health through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and staying hydrated. They also undergo regular medical checks and follow strict safety protocols for recreational diving.
How can I become a commercial diver for deep dives?
To become a commercial diver for deep dives, you must undergo extensive training and obtain certifications, such as the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) Commercial Diver Certification. You should also have a strong physical fitness and be comfortable working in hazardous environments.
Conclusion
Commercial divers use a diverse set of techniques to deep dive into the extreme depths of of the oceans and reach sites that are otherwise inaccessible. The simplicity of these techniques make them ideal for operations that require quick and efficient completion, such as exploration or search and rescue missions. Maintaining safety on every diving mission is paramount, and special attention must be paid to the competency of crew members and equipment to ensure the health and safety of all personnel. With new technological advances, however, commercial divers have been able to push themselves further than ever before while still preserving their safety. While many risks are associated with deep diving, all divers must take necessary precautions and follow proper protocols. To find out more about deep diving techniques used by commercial divers or share your own experiences with us, feel free to let us know at the comment area below!