Safety Flash
Near-miss: Suspected high levels of CO₂ in diver breathing gas
Near-miss: Suspected high levels of CO₂ in diver breathing gas
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 05/17
- Competence and TrainingDivingMachinery and Equipment
- Human factorsRespiratory hazards
- Saturation diving
- Breathing apparatusGas detector
- Alarm managementCompetence and trainingEmergency responseOperating and work procedures
- Subsea
Summary
Two saturation divers working at approximately 92 m experienced breathing difficulties associated with elevated carbon dioxide in reclaimed breathing gas. Saturated absorbent and apparently incorrect analyser calibration were identified. The dive was aborted without further ill effects. Learning focuses on alarm settings, operating manuals, safety-critical competence and contaminated-gas emergency arrangements.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Respiratory hazards; respirable dust; inhalation hazards.
Classifications: Saturation diving; sat diving.
Classifications: Breathing apparatus; SCBA; self-contained breathing apparatus.
Classifications: Gas detector; gas monitor; gas detection instrument.
Classifications: Alarm management.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Emergency response; emergency preparedness.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Subsea; underwater worksite.
Summary
A member has reported an incident where there was an elevated level of CO2‚ in the divers' reclaim breathing gas during saturation diving operations.
IMCA SF 05/17. Themes: competence and training, diving, machinery and equipment.