This article will cover the reliability and costs of surface-supplied air diving equipment. These diving supplies are becoming more popular as an alternative to traditional diving equipment. These supplies are not without their problems. This article will address some of the problems associated with surface-suspended air diving equipment as well as ways to avoid them.
Surface-supplied Air Diving Equipment: Problems
Surface-supplied diving equipment is often more expensive than SCUBA and can be difficult to install. To start, you don't need an extra compressor to provide air. Instead, the diver is equipped with both an emergency gas bottle and an emergency boat supply. It also has an umbilical cord with an air hose, and other safety equipment. This line can also be used to locate the diver in distress.
Air diving equipment that is surface-supplied can have many different problems. The most common problem is sudden loss of pressure. It can happen for various reasons, including a severed or pinched umbilical, improper valve alignment, or a helmet component failure. In the event of a sudden loss of air supply, the diver may not experience any symptoms right away, but will feel it over time. Another common problem is slow drops in air pressure. These can lead to an increased inhalation effort.
Cost of surface supplied air diving equipment
Surface supplied air diving equipment is much more expensive than traditional scuba diving equipment. A basic two-diver system can cost upwards of $10,000. These systems are required to reduce the chance of dehydration or thermal stress. They are vital for proper dive rotations. But, surface-sold air diving might not be right for everyone.
It is very popular among recreational divers to do surface-supplied air diving. It is not required to be certified, unlike scuba diving. The basic equipment consists of a hose that connects to an underwater air source and a regulator. As a quality regulator is crucial, it can be fatal if the regulator malfunctions.
Reliability for surface-supplied equipment for air diving
While surface-supplied air diving equipment may be more complicated and expensive than SCUBA, there are many benefits to it over traditional air supply. This equipment not only provides breathing air, but also supplies a back-up air supply and an emergency bottle. The diver is connected via an umbilical to a line that provides safety, communication and a search patterns line.
Surface-supplied air diving equipment must maintain a minimum ventilation rate of 4.5 psi when supplying air to divers. This equipment must also be able maintain the diver's inspired partial carbon dioxide pressure below 0.02 ATA.
Limitations of surface supplied air diving equipment
The use of surface supplied air diving equipment is an excellent alternative to traditional scuba diving. It allows you to safely and efficiently dive, while not worrying about running low on oxygen. This type of diving equipment allows divers the freedom to dive as long their DPIC (diaphragmpressure indicator) allows, or until they feel exhausted. Although there are many manufacturers that make different types of surface-supplied air diving equipment, most work in the same way. The diver wears a regulator attached to a full-face mask or helmet. The back-up supply of air is activated in the event of a malfunction.
Surface-supplied air diving equipment is not recommended. It is important you take into consideration a range of factors including the type, size and operation of your vessel. In most cases, surface supplied air diving equipment is not suitable for vessels that are operated in DP (direct-pressure) mode.