Safety Flash
Two deaths of military divers
Two deaths of military divers
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 30/20
- Competence and TrainingControl of WorkDiving
- Regulation and legislationRisk management
- Diving operations
- Breathing apparatusGas cylinder
- Competence and trainingOperating and work proceduresRisk assessment
- Subsea
Summary
Two military diving fatalities highlight different training failures. In the UK, a recovered diver’s cylinders were empty, prompting action over air endurance calculations and risk assessment. In New Zealand, investigators identified departures from training standards and covert breathing-apparatus mode switching. IMCA reiterates SCUBA’s limitations for offshore diving work.
Classifications: Regulation and legislation; safety legislation; regulatory requirements.
Classifications: Risk management; risk evaluation.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Breathing apparatus; SCBA; self-contained breathing apparatus.
Classifications: Gas cylinder; compressed gas bottle; gas cylinders.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Subsea; underwater worksite.
Summary
Two trainee divers died during separate military exercises involving inadequate air management, unsafe breathing-apparatus practices and failures to meet training standards.
IMCA SF 30/20. Themes: competence and training, control of work, diving.