Safety Flash
High potential near-miss: Poor O₂ content in supplied air – diver temporarily lost consciousness
High potential near-miss: Poor O₂ content in supplied air – diver temporarily lost consciousness
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 01/16
- Control of WorkDivingHazardous SubstancesOccupational Health
- Oxygen deficiency
- Diving operations
- Breathing apparatusGas cylinderGas detector
- Emergency responseAtmospheric gas testingOperating and work proceduresPre-use checks
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A diver briefly lost consciousness on a diving support vessel after switching to a breathing-air quad containing around 3% oxygen. Tenders removed his helmet and he recovered. The flash examines supplied-gas quality assurance, an oxygen analyser that failed to alarm, and proposed pre-dive checklist changes to clear residual gas before introducing a new supply.
Classifications: Oxygen deficiency; oxygen deficient; oxygen displacement; oxygen depletion.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Breathing apparatus; SCBA; self-contained breathing apparatus.
Classifications: Gas cylinder; compressed gas bottle; gas cylinders.
Classifications: Gas detector; gas monitor; gas detection instrument.
Classifications: Emergency response; emergency preparedness.
Classifications: Atmospheric gas testing; gas testing; atmosphere testing.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Pre-use checks; pre-use inspection.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
A diver became temporarily unconscious after breathing air containing approximately three percent oxygen from a supplied-air quad.
IMCA SF 01/16. Themes: control of work, diving, hazardous substances, occupational health.