NOAA Diving Manual, Fourth Edition

✍ Scribed by James T. Joiner

• Publisher: Best Publishing Company
• Year: 2001
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 520
• Edition: 4th
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Diving Program, which is recognized as one of the leading authorities on scientific diving and undersea technology has released the Fourth Edition of the NOAA Diving Manual. This manual was last published in 1991, with over 25,000 books sold within six years. The newly revised manual is published in full color, with 668 coated pages and is available in both soft cover and hard cover formats. It contains basic through advanced applied diving technologies and is written in a non-technical style so it will be informative to all who are interested in safe diving. This completely revised Fourth Edition is one of the most detailed diving reference books available and is a valuable resource to all who are interested in a complete encyclopedia of diving technology, equipment, techniques, and procedures. More than 100 authors and reviewers, selected from a diverse spectrum of experts in recreational, commercial, military, scientific, and research diving, combined their expertise to address the complex issues involved in today's diving. This new edition contains twenty-one chapters on all aspects of diving: techniques to improve the methodology of underwater scientific research, new gear, operational techniques, and details to help the diver dive safely. In addition, there are ten appendices, including a glossary, references, and a detailed index. The technologies of rebreathers and mixed gas diving, including nitrox and oxygen are included; diving physics, physiology, decompression, and diving medicine have also been updated to reflect recent developments in the diving industry. The NOAA Nitrox Tables and the Nitrox Diving Procedures allow deeper and/or longer bottom times to increase diver efficiency when using nitrox, without affecting safety or increasing decompression time.

✦ Table of Contents

IN THIS SECTION......Page 1
X. INDEX......Page 0
1.2 DIVING BELLS......Page 2
1.3 HELMET (HARD-HAT) DIVING......Page 3
1.4 SCUBA DIVING......Page 4
1.5.1 Saturation Diving Systems......Page 5
1.6 NOAA'S DIVING PROGRAM......Page 6
1.8 SUMMARY......Page 7
IN THIS SECTION......Page 9
2.1.3 Absolute Pressure......Page 10
2.1.5 Partial Pressure......Page 11
2.3.2 Seawater......Page 12
2.5 TEMPERATURE......Page 13
2.6 BUOYANCY (Archimedes' Principle)......Page 15
2.7.2 Oxygen......Page 16
2.7.7 Argon (Ar), Neon (Ne), Hydrogen (H2)......Page 17
2.8.1 Boyle's Law......Page 18
2.8.3 Dalton's Law......Page 20
2.8.4 Henry's Law......Page 21
2.8.5 General Gas Law......Page 22
2.9 MOISTURE IN BREATHING GAS......Page 23
2.10.1 Colors......Page 24
2.11 SOUND......Page 25
IN THIS SECTION......Page 29
3.1.2 Nervous System......Page 30
3.2.1 Process of Respiration......Page 31
3.2.2 Mechanics of Respiration......Page 32
3.2.4 Circulation......Page 33
3.2.4.3 Tissue Use of Oxygen......Page 35
3.2.6.1 Hypoxia......Page 37
3.2.6.2 Carbon Dioxide Toxicity......Page 38
3.2.6.3 Hyperventilation......Page 39
3.2.6.5 Carbon Monoxide Poisoning......Page 40
3.3 EFFECTS OF PRESSURE......Page 41
3.3.1.1 Ears......Page 42
3.3.1.3 Lungs......Page 44
3.3.2.1 Lungs - Pneumothorax......Page 45
3.3.2.2 Lungs - Mediastinal Emphysema......Page 46
3.3.2.4 Arterial Gas Embolism......Page 47
3.3.2.7 Contact Lenses......Page 48
3.3.3.1 Inert Gas Narcosis......Page 49
3.3.3.3.2 Lung and "Whole-Body"......Page 50
3.3.3.3.7 The "Oxygen Clock" or "O2 Limit Fraction"......Page 51
3.3.4.1 Inert Gas Elimination......Page 53
3.3.4.2 Decompression Sickness......Page 55
3.3.4.4 Failures of Treatment......Page 57
3.3.4.7 Patent Foramen Ovale......Page 58
3.4.2 First Aid for Hypothermia......Page 59
3.4.3 Thermal Protection......Page 60
3.4.5 Survival in Cold Water......Page 61
3.4.7 Types of Heat Stress......Page 62
3.5.2 Smoking......Page 63
3.5.3 Illicit Drugs and Alcohol......Page 64
IN THIS SECTION......Page 67
4.1.2 Computing Decompression Tables......Page 68
4.2.1 Single Versus Repetitive Dives......Page 69
4.2.2 Planning Single Dives......Page 70
4.3.1 Recording Repetitive Dive Data......Page 72
4.3.2 Accounting for Residual Nitrogen......Page 73
4.3.3 Finding Repetitive Group Designations Following Single, No-Decompression Dives......Page 74
4.3.4 Determining a Repetitive Group Designation Following a Surface Interval......Page 75
4.3.5 Determining Adjusted No-Decompression Limits......Page 76
4.3.6 Determining Repetitive Group Designations Following Repetitive Dives......Page 79
4.3.8 Determining the Minimum Allowable Surface Interval Between Dives......Page 81
4.3.10 Dealing With Surface Intervals of Less Than Ten Minutes......Page 85
4.4.2 Decompression Diving Considerations......Page 86
4.4.3 Making Mandatory Decompression Stops......Page 87
4.5.1 Diving at Altitude......Page 90
4.5.1.6 Correction of Depth Gauges......Page 91
4.5.1.10 Equilibration at Altitude......Page 93
4.5.1.12 Ascent to Altitude After Diving/Flying After Diving......Page 94
4.6.3.1 Reverse Profile Dives......Page 96
4.7.1 General......Page 97
IN THIS SECTION......Page 101
5.1.1 Face Masks......Page 102
5.1.3 Fins......Page 103
5.2.2 Wet Suits......Page 104
5.2.3 Dry Suits......Page 105
5.2.3.2 Dry-Suit Seals and Accessories......Page 106
5.2.3.6 Dry Suits and Dry-Suit Underwear Maintenance......Page 107
5.2.4 Hot-Water Suits and Systems......Page 108
5.3 OPEN CIRCUIT SCUBA REGULATORS......Page 109
5.5 COMPRESSED AIR......Page 112
5.5.1 General Safety Precautions......Page 113
5.6 AIR COMPRESSORS AND FILTERING SYSTEMS......Page 115
5.6.2 Carbon Monoxide Monitoring Device......Page 117
5.7.1 Cylinder Markings......Page 118
5.7.3 Cylinder Inspection and Maintenance......Page 119
5.7.5 Cylinder Valve and Manifold Assembly......Page 122
5.7.6 Reserve Valve......Page 123
5.10 SUBMERSIBLE PRESSURE GAUGES......Page 125
5.10.1 Use of Submersible Pressure Gauge......Page 126
5.11 BUOYANCY COMPENSATORS......Page 127
5.11.3 Weight Belts and Weights......Page 130
5.11.4 Safety Harnesses......Page 131
5.12.1 Topside Breathing Gas Source......Page 132
5.12.2 Diver Control Manifold......Page 133
5.12.4 Umbilical......Page 134
5.12.5 Full-Face Masks and Helmets......Page 135
5.13 HOOKAH......Page 136
5.14 DEPTH GAUGES......Page 137
5.15 WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS......Page 138
5.17 DIVE LIGHTS......Page 139
5.19 SIGNAL DEVICES......Page 140
5.21 SHARK DEFENSE......Page 141
5.23 SURFACE SUPPORT/MARKER FLOAT......Page 142
5.24 DIVE COMPUTERS......Page 143
5.26 UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO......Page 145
5.26.2 Types of Underwater Camera Systems for Still Photography......Page 146
5.26.4 Electronic Flash......Page 147
5.26.6 The Image Capture Medium: Prints, Slides, and Digital......Page 148
5.26.8 Video Cameras and Housings......Page 149
5.26.10 Camera Maintenance......Page 150
IN THIS SECTION......Page 153
6.1.1 Planning the Dive......Page 154
6.1.3 Preparing for the Dive......Page 156
6.1.4 Tending the Surface-Supplied Diver......Page 157
6.1.5 The Dive......Page 158
6.1.6.2 Blowup......Page 160
6.1.6.7 Ascent......Page 161
6.1.8 Umbilical Diving from Small Boats......Page 162
6.1.9 Umbilical Diving from Ships......Page 163
6.1.13 Supply Pressure Requirements—Demand Systems......Page 164
IN THIS SECTION......Page 167
7.1.1 Selection Standards......Page 168
7.1.2.5 Otolaryngologic......Page 169
7.1.2.13 Musculoskeletal......Page 170
7.2.1.1 Classroom......Page 171
7.2.1.2 Pool and Open Water......Page 172
7.2.2 Umbilical Dive Training......Page 173
7.2.4 Saturation Training......Page 174
7.2.5 Research Diver Training......Page 175
7.2.7 Chamber Operator Training......Page 176
7.2.9 Diver Medical Technician Training......Page 177
7.2.10 Hyperbaric Physician Training......Page 178
7.2.11 Other Training Requirements......Page 179
IN THIS SECTION......Page 181
8.1 DIVE PLANNING......Page 182
8.2.1 Divemaster......Page 183
8.3.1 Surface Environmental Conditions......Page 184
8.3.2 Underwater Environmental Conditions......Page 185
8.4.1 Hand Signals......Page 189
8.5 AIR CONSUMPTION RATES......Page 192
8.5.2 Scuba Duration......Page 195
8.5.3 Scuba Air Requirements......Page 197
8.5.4 Surface-Supplied Air Requirements......Page 198
IN THIS SECTION......Page 201
9.1.1 Traditional Methods......Page 202
9.2.1 Direct Survey Methods......Page 203
9.2.2.1 Underwater Photographic Survey......Page 204
9.2.2.2 Underwater Acoustic Surveys......Page 205
9.3 UNDERWATER RECORDING METHODS......Page 206
9.4.1 Estimating Population Densities......Page 207
9.5 BIOLOGICAL SAMPLING......Page 208
9.5.2 Benthic Organism Sampling......Page 209
9.5.4 Midwater Sampling......Page 211
9.6 SHELLFISH STUDIES......Page 212
9.6.1 Collecting Techniques......Page 213
9.7 TAGGING AND MARKING TECHNIQUES......Page 214
9.8.1 Field Procedures......Page 217
9.8.6 Collecting Techniques......Page 218
9.8.7 Specimen Preparation and Preservation......Page 219
9.9 ARTIFICIAL REEFS/HABITATS......Page 220
9.10.1 Mapping......Page 221
9.10.2 Sampling......Page 226
9.10.4 Experimentation......Page 229
9.11.1 Deployment, Inspection, Maintenance, and Recovery of Instruments......Page 230
9.11.3 Water Samples......Page 232
9.12 ARCHEOLOGY......Page 233
9.12.1 Site Location......Page 234
9.12.2 Site Documentation......Page 235
9.12.3 Site Testing......Page 237
9.12.4 Partial and Full-Site Excavation......Page 238
9.13.4 Diving on Stationary Gear......Page 240
9.14.2 Selecting an Anesthetic......Page 241
9.14.3 Application of Anesthetics......Page 244
9.14.4 Diver-Operated Devices......Page 246
IN THIS SECTION......Page 249
10.1 SEARCH AND RECOVERY......Page 250
10.1.1 Circular Search......Page 251
10.1.2 Line-Tended (Fishtail) Search......Page 252
10.1.5 Tow Diving......Page 254
10.1.6 Drift Diving......Page 256
10.1.7 Deepwater Towbar Search......Page 257
10.1.8 Cable Cross Search......Page 259
10.2 UNDERWATER NAVIGATION......Page 261
10.2.1 Basic Underwater Navigation......Page 263
10.2.5 Choosing and Converting Between Coordinate Systems......Page 264
10.3 INSTRUMENT IMPLANTATION......Page 265
10.4 HYDROGRAPHIC SUPPORT......Page 266
10.5 WIRE DRAGGING......Page 267
10.6.2 Pneumatic Tools......Page 268
10.6.3 Hydraulic Tools......Page 269
10.6.5 Power Velocity Tools......Page 270
10.6.6 Cutting and Welding Tools......Page 271
10.8 SALVAGE......Page 272
10.8.1.2 Internal Buoyancy Lifts......Page 273
10.8.1.3 External Lift Bags......Page 274
10.9 UNDERWATER DEMOLITION AND EXPLOSIVES......Page 276
10.9.1 Types of Explosives......Page 277
IN THIS SECTION......Page 281
11.1 UNDERWATER HABITATS......Page 282
11.1.1 Saturation Diving Habitats......Page 283
11.1.2 Non-Saturation Habitats......Page 290
11.2 SURFACE-BASED SATURATION DIVING SYSTEMS......Page 291
11.3.1 Description......Page 292
11.3.3 Operational Procedures......Page 294
IN THIS SECTION......Page 297
12.1.1 Northeast Coast......Page 298
12.1.2 Mid-Atlantic Coast......Page 299
12.1.4 Gulf of Mexico......Page 300
12.1.5 Northwest Coast......Page 301
12.1.6 Mid-Pacific Coast......Page 302
12.1.8 Central Pacific Ocean......Page 303
12.2.1 Through Surf......Page 304
12.2.3 Through Shore Currents......Page 306
12.2.4 From a Coral Reef......Page 307
12.4 DIVING FROM A SMALL BOAT......Page 308
12.4.1 Entering the Water......Page 309
12.5.1 Great Lakes......Page 310
12.6 OPEN-OCEAN DIVING......Page 311
12.7 CORAL REEFS AND FRINGING REEFS......Page 314
12.8 FAST CURRENT......Page 315
12.9 CAVE DIVING......Page 316
12.10 COLD-WATER DIVING......Page 317
12.11 DIVING UNDER ICE......Page 318
12.12 KELP DIVING......Page 321
12.14 NIGHT DIVING......Page 322
12.15 DIVING IN DAMS AND RESERVOIRS......Page 323
12.15.1 Diving at Dams......Page 324
12.16 RIVER DIVING......Page 326
12.17.1 Personnel......Page 327
12.17.4 Diving While Under Way......Page 328
12.17.4.1 Equipment for Diving While Under Way......Page 330
12.18 PINNACLE AND SEAMOUNT DIVING......Page 331
12.20 DIVING IN LOW AND ZERO VISIBILITY......Page 332
12.22.2 Diving Around Enclosures......Page 333
12.22.5 Oceanographic Engineering and Scientific Diving......Page 334
IN THIS SECTION......Page 337
13.1.1 Biological Pollutants......Page 338
13.1.2 Toxic Chemicals......Page 339
13.1.4 Thermal Conditions......Page 340
13.2 TRAINING......Page 341
13.3.2 Full-Face Masks......Page 342
13.3.5 Dry Suits......Page 343
13.4 POLLUTED-WATER DIVING TECHNIQUES......Page 345
13.5 DECONTAMINATION PROCEDURES......Page 348
13.6.1 Resources for Consultation......Page 350
IN THIS SECTION......Page 353
14.1.2 Semiclosed-Circuit Mixed-Gas Systems......Page 354
14.2 REBREATHER DESIGN......Page 356
14.3 HOW REBREATHERS WORK......Page 357
14.4 ADVANTAGES OF REBREATHERS......Page 358
14.6.1 Hypoxia......Page 360
14.7 GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR REBREATHER DIVING......Page 361
IN THIS SECTION......Page 365
15.1.2 NOAA Use of Nitrox Breathing Mixtures......Page 367
15.4 ADVANTAGES OF NITROX......Page 368
15.5.2 Oxygen Exposure Time......Page 369
15.5.5 Fraction of Oxygen for the Mix......Page 370
15.6.1 NOAA Nitrox Diving Tables......Page 371
15.6.3 Custom Tables......Page 372
15.6.6 Diving at Altitude......Page 373
15.7.1 Using Fixed Tables......Page 374
15.7.2 NOAA Nitrox 32% and 36% Decompression Tables......Page 375
15.8.2 Repetitive Dive with a Different Mix......Page 380
15.10.1 Diver Within No-stop Limits......Page 381
15.11.3 Air to be Mixed with Oxygen......Page 382
15.11.4 Cleaning for Oxygen Service......Page 383
15.12.1 Scuba Cylinders......Page 384
15.12.4 Cylinder Labeling......Page 385
15.13.1 Commercial Pre-Mix......Page 386
15.13.3 Oxygen Fill Formula......Page 387
15.13.3.1 Oxygen to Add Charts......Page 389
15.13.7 Boosting Pressure to Scuba Cylinders......Page 390
15.14.3.1 Calibrating Gas......Page 391
15.14.3.4 Analyzing the Nitrox Cylinder......Page 392
IN THIS SECTION......Page 395
16.1.1 Nitrogen and Narcosis......Page 396
16.1.3 Other Inert Gases (Hydrogen, Neon, Argon)......Page 397
16.3 DIVING WITH SPECIAL GAS MIXES......Page 398
16.3.1.2.2 Selecting an Appropriate Trimix......Page 400
16.3.1.2.4 Equivalent Narcotic Depth......Page 401
16.3.1.2.6 Trimix Decompression Tables......Page 402
16.3.1.3 Diving with Helium-Oxygen Mixtures......Page 403
16.4.1 Backplate, Harness, and Buoyancy Compensator......Page 404
16.4.4 Depth and Timing Devices......Page 405
16.5.1.3 Inert Gas Purity......Page 406
16.6.1.3 Use of Nitrox for Mixing Trimix......Page 407
16.7.1 Analysis for Gases Other Than Oxygen......Page 408
16.7.1.2 Helium Analysis......Page 409
16.8 CYLINDER IDENTIFICATION AND......Page 410
IN THIS SECTION......Page 413
17.1 PRINCIPLES OF SATURATION DIVING......Page 414
17.2 BREATHING GASES......Page 417
17.3 LIFE SUPPORT CONSIDERATIONS......Page 418
17.4.1 General Procedures......Page 419
17.4.2 Emergency Procedures (Habitats)......Page 420
17.4.4 Hazardous Materials......Page 422
17.5.1 Descending Excursions......Page 423
17.5.3 Ascending Excursions......Page 427
17.6 DECOMPRESSION AFTER AN AIR OR NITROGEN-OXYGEN SATURATION DIVE......Page 428
17.6.4 Flying After a Saturation Decompression......Page 430
IN THIS SECTION......Page 437
18.0 GENERAL......Page 438
18.1 HYPERBARIC CHAMBERS......Page 439
18.2 TRANSPORTABLE CHAMBERS......Page 441
18.3.1.4 Diving Physician......Page 442
18.3.3 Gas Supply......Page 443
18.3.4 Chamber Ventilation and Gas Calculations......Page 445
18.3.8 Electrical Systems......Page 447
18.5 FIRE PREVENTION......Page 448
18.5.1 Ignition......Page 449
18.5.5 Detection......Page 450
18.5.7 Breathing Masks and Escape......Page 451
IN THIS SECTION......Page 453
19.2 ANIMALS THAT ABRADE, LACERATE, OR PUNCTURE......Page 454
19.2.2 Starfish......Page 455
19.2.3 Rays and Fishes......Page 456
19.3.1 Sponges......Page 459
19.3.2 Hydroids, Jellyfishes, and Sea Anemones......Page 460
19.3.4 Marine Worms......Page 463
19.4.1 Fishes......Page 464
19.4.2 Reptiles......Page 468
19.4.5 Aquatic Mammals......Page 469
19.6.3 Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning......Page 471
19.6.4 Tetrodotoxin “Puffer” Fish Poisoning......Page 472
IN THIS SECTION......Page 475
20.1.2 Diving Operations Medical (First Aid) Kit......Page 476
20.1.3 Primary Medical Treatment Kit......Page 477
20.2 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE......Page 478
20.4.1 Airway Assessment and Management......Page 479
20.4.4 Emergency Airway Management and Artificial Ventilation......Page 481
20.4.5.2 Early Defibrillation......Page 482
20.5 STOPPING LIFE-THREATENING BLEEDING......Page 483
20.6 USE OF SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN......Page 484
20.7.1 The Head-To-Toe Examination......Page 486
20.7.2 Taking the Necessary History......Page 488
20.9 WOUNDS......Page 490
20.10 BURNS......Page 491
20.11 FRACTURES AND SPRAINS......Page 492
20.12.2 Cardiovascular Emergencies......Page 493
20.12.4 Convulsions (Seizure)......Page 494
20.13 HEAT ILLNESSES......Page 495
20.14 HYPOTHERMIA MANAGEMENT......Page 496
20.15 SEASICKNESS ( MOTION SICKNESS)......Page 497
IN THIS SECTION......Page 499
21.1 PANIC......Page 500
21.2.1 During Training......Page 501
21.2.5 During Ascent and Exit......Page 502
21.3.1 Loss of Air Supply......Page 503
21.4 ASSESSING A PROBLEM......Page 505
21.5 RESCUE PROCEDURES......Page 506
21.5.1 Victim Submerged and Unconscious......Page 507
21.5.2 Victim Submerged and Conscious......Page 508
21.5.5 Victim on the Surface and Conscious......Page 510
21.5.6 Towing a Victim in the Water......Page 511
21.5.7 Leaving the Water with a Victim......Page 512
21.6.1 Summoning Aid......Page 514
21.6.2.2 Immediate Care Protocol......Page 516
21.6.2.3 Additional Advanced Life Support (ALS)......Page 517
21.7 EVACUATION BY AIR......Page 518
21.9 ACCIDENT REPORTING PROCEDURES......Page 519