Safety Flash
Compressed air rather than oxygen supplied to divers
Compressed air rather than oxygen supplied to divers
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 27/23
- Competence and TrainingContractor ManagementDiving
- Human factorsIncident investigation
- Diving operations
- Breathing apparatusGas cylinderGas detector
- Competence and trainingContractor managementEmergency responseOperating and work procedures
Summary
This safety flash describes divers receiving compressed air instead of oxygen through their built-in breathing system, with two decompression illnesses reported. It examines incorrect gas-quad identification, missing oxygen-fraction checks and an analyser coverage gap. Lessons address supplier oversight, technical competence, investigation training and gas-management verification.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Incident investigation; accident investigation.
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: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Contractor management; contractor assurance.
Classifications: Emergency response; emergency preparedness.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Summary
Several divers were affected and two divers became ill when compressed air rather than oxygen was supplied to them by mistake on their Built in Breathing System (BIBS)
IMCA SF 27/23. Themes: competence and training, contractor management, diving.