FACEPLATEEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

LCDR Ray Swanson

ASSISTANT EDITORS-IN-CHIEFLCDR Thomas ServiceCDR David G. Whall

MANAGING EDITORBarbara A. Robinson

GRAPHICSJane Fitzgerald

Edward (Leo) Swaim

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTL. Tracy Harris

Sue Kilgore

FACEPLATEThe Official Magazine for the Divers and Salvors of the United States Navy

WINTER, 1983 Volume 14, No. 4

Page 6

Page 10

Page 16

Cover Photo:Official U.S. Navy photoNaval Diving and Salvage TrainingCenter in Panama City, Florida

Soundings

BUD/S: Training for CombatSwimmers

EOD School Emphasizes Safetyand Precision

NDSTC Revises Curriculumto ImproveFleet Diver Training

Coronado Dive School KeepsPace with Innovations

Search for the Virginia Ram

NEDU Tests MK 14 CCSDSDuring Deep Dive 1982

Naval Hyperbarlc CenterLaunches CardiovascularDive Series In New Chambers

UCT ONE Divers do Repairsat N.A.S. Bermuda

NEDU Reports

View from the Supervisorof Diving

The Old Master

6 CDR Tom SteffensDirector, BUD/S Training

10 LCDR Mike DuignanTraining Officer

16 BMCM(MDV) Richard RadeckiNaval Diving and SalvageTraining Center

22 Ensign Roger KitsonNaval Amphibious School,Coronado

24 LT R. E. NisleyMobile Diving and SalvageUnit TWO

26 LCDR Michael D. CurleyNavy ExperimentalDiving Unit

27 Maureen A. Darmody, EditorHyperbaric MedicineProgram Center NMRI

28 SN Terrie R. SiscoNaval Air Station, Bermuda

3031 LCDR Ray Swanson

Supervisor of Diving

32 TMCM(MDV) Bill Gholson

FACEPLATE is published quarterly by the Supervisor of Diving to bring the latest andmost informative news available to the Navy diving and salvage community. Articles arepresented as information only, and should not be construed as regulations, orders ordirectives. Discussions or illustrations of commercial products do not imply endorsementby the Supervisor of Diving or the U.S. Navy.

Requests from U.S. Governmental Agencies and military activities or personnel fordistribution copies or for changes in distribution should be directed to FACEPLATE.Supervisor of Diving (SEA OOC-3), Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C.20362. Telephone (Area Code 202) OX7-7606 or AUTOVON 227-7386. All other suchrequests should be directed to the Superintendent of Documents. U.S. GovernmentPrinting Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

SOUNDINGS

LCDR Alan M. Nibbs

USS BEAUFORT(ATS-2)

Change of CommandLCDR Alan M. Nibbs, Jr., USN,

assumed command of the USSBEAUFORT (ATS-2) on 23 Septem-ber 1983. He relieved CDR F.Bruce Fisher.

Before taking command of theBEAUFORT, LCDR Nibbs was theOfficer in Charge of the NavalSchool Deep Diving Systems on theDVT ELK RIVER (IX-501). Duringhis tour on the ELK RIVER, its MK2 MOD 0 Deep Dive Systemachieved certification, the studentoutput of the school was increasedby 80 percent and open-oceansaturation dives were reinstituted aspart of the curriculum.

From 1977 to 1980, LCDR Nibbswas the Operational Test Directorwith the Deputy Commander Oper-2 FACEPLATE

ational Test and Evaluation Force,Pacific. He completed testing onvarious underwater systems andbecame qualified as a saturationdiving officer. In 1974, LCDR Nibbscompleted the six-month trainingprogram at the Naval School of Div-ing and Salvage and in Decemberbecame the Engineering Officer onthe USS PIGEON (AST-21). Duringhis tour PIGEON was involved withcertification of the MK 2 MOD 1Deep Dive Systems and the opera-tional evaluation of the Navy's DeepSubmergence Rescue Vehicles.

LCDR Nibbs also served as FirstLieutenant and as ASW Officer onthe USS MULLINNIX (DD-994).

LCDR Nibbs has been recogniz-ed on several occasions for his ser-vice in the Navy. His decorations in-clude the Meritorious Unit Com-mendation, the Vietnam ServiceMedal, the Vietnam CampaignMedal, the Combat Action Ribbonand the Battle Efficiency Ribbon.

CDR Fisher departs BEAUFORTfor assignment at OPNAV in Wash-ington, D.C. During his tour asCommanding Officer, he oversawcompletion of a 13-month overhauland a six-week deployment toEASTPAC, which included towingthe 36,000-ton USS ASHTABULA(AO-51) 2,000 miles from Pearl Har-bor to San Francisco. CDR Fisheralso led BEAUFORT through aneventual six-month WESTPAC de-ployment which included the sal-vage of two vessels from theRepublic at Korea's Navy. BEAU-FORT was awarded her secondMeritorious Unit Commendation forthis effort.®

LCDfl John Paul Speer

USS BRUNSWICK(ATS-3)

Change of CommandLCDR John Paul Speer on 11

July 1983 relieved CDR John R.Drucker as Commanding Officer ofUSS BRUNSWICK (ATS-3), home-ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Before taking command ofBRUNSWICK, LCDR Speer servedas Executive Officer aboard USSCONSERVER (ARS-39) and asCommanding Officer of USSBOLSTER (ARS-38). From 1976 to1979, he worked at the NavalOcean System Center Laboratory inKaneohe, Hawaii. He participatedin the Marine Mammals Programand served as Operations Directorfor the Remote Unmanned WorkSystem (RUWS).

LCDR Speer completed Divingand Salvage Training in February

Winter 1983

West Coast Naval Reserve UnitsSeek to Fill Diver Billets

1974 and was immediately assign-ed the position of Supply and Div-ing and Salvage Officer of the USSRECLAIMER (ARS-42). He later be-came Executive Officer onboardthe same ship.

LCDR Speer's first tour as an of-ficer was onboard USS NAVASOTA(AO-106). During this tour hebecame qualified as a Surface War-fare Officer.

LCDR Speer's record is high-lighted by the numerous awards hehas received, among them theNavy Achievement Medal, GoodConduct Medal, National DefenseService Medal, Vietnam ServiceRibbon, Vietnam Campaign Medaland Sea Service DeploymentRibbon.

CDR Drucker has been assignedas Commander Service SquadronFIVE. Noteworthy of his tour on-board Brunswick was the Salvageof the Military Sealift CommandVessel, USNS CHAUVENET (T-AGS-29) off the Philippine Coast(FACEPLATE Winter 1982). ®

The Naval Reserve is currentlylooking for more than 100 personsto fill diver billets. Reserve divers willbe trained alongside active dutypersonnel, in order to increase theNavy's pool of well trained divers.

Individuals holding one of the fol-lowing enlisted ratings are eligiblefor training: BM, BU, CE, DM,GMG, EA, EM EN, EO, ET, HM,HT, 1C, MM, PH, MR, SK, STS, SW,TM, UT, SN, and FN. No prior div-ing experience is necessary. Ap-plicants will be screened by thediver training unit for placement inone of two other reserve units whichneed divers. Screening includes aNavy diving physical examination,a hyperbaric pressure and oxygentolerance test, and an interview witha diving officer or master diver.Minimum physical qualifications in-clude the ability to: run a mile ineight and one-half minutes, swim300 yards in eight and one-halfminutes, do 30 push-ups in twominutes, and do 30 sit-ups in twominutes.

Once accepted, successful ap-

plicants will have the opportunity tobe trained in a four-week scubacourse and/or a 12-week secondclass diver course at the Naval Am-phibious Base in Coronado. Both ofthese are active duty programswhich have set aside openings forNaval Reservists. While awaitingcourses to begin, trainees will re-ceive physical conditioning andlimited technical instruction.

Individuals already in the NavalReserve should be approved bytheir Commanding Officers; thosewho do not belong to the Reservemay be assigned to another unit un-til they are approved for training.Persons with less than 22 monthsremaining in their enlistment con-tracts are encouraged to extendtheir enlistment periods.

Interested persons should call theNaval Reserve Training Departmentin San Diego at (619) 225-5114 formore information. Currently drillingreservists may also call the Officerin Charge of the new diver trainingunit, CDR Larry Sand, at (619)576-1322.®

r

Members of the USS PIGEON dive team. Back: HT1 Ralph Bonnin, EM1 GaryStanton. Front: QMC Ted Griggs, HT1 Neil West, HT1 Scott Nace.Winter 1983

USS PIGEON (ASR-21)Conducts Saturation

DiveA five-man dive team from the

USS PIGEON (ASR-21) recentlycompleted a 16-day saturation diveto 850 feet in support of certificationof the ship's MK2 Mod 1 Deep DiveSystem.

The system, designed to supporta saturation dive team to 850 feet,includes two decompressionchambers, four independent lifesupport systems and two personneltransfer capsules. PIGEON is alsoequipped with an extensive surfacesupplied diving system outfitted tosupport conventional surface sup-ported diving to depths of 300 feeton mixed gas using the U.S.NavyOpen Bell, Divers Mask, MK 1MOD's 0 and MK 12 systems.PIGEON is homeported in SanDiego, California. <j)

FACEPLATE 3

• • . .The SAFEGUARD (ARS-50) being launched in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Safeguard (ARS-50) LaunchedThe SAFEGUARD, lead ship of

the new ARS-50 class (see FACE-PLATE Winter 1982), was launch-ed 12 November 1983 at PetersonBuilders Incorporated in SturgeonBay, Wisconsin.

The SAFEGUARD is 255 feet inlength with a 51-foot beam, 15.5-foot draft, displacement of 2,880tons and sustained speed of 14knots. Its power is provided byfour Caterpiller D-399 engines driv-ing two controllable, reversablepitch propellers in KORT nozzlesthrough reduction gears. The pro-pulsion plant allows for economicaloperation on two engines and a

maximum bollard pull of 131,000pounds on the engines. The bowthruster provides maneuverability atlow speeds and dynamic position-ing capability during salvage andrescue operations. The electricplant consists of three 750 kwgenerators, also powered by CATD-399 engines.

SAFEGUARD will carry a crew ofapproximately 90 to accomplish hermissions, which include towing, off-ship firefighting, rescue and assist-ance, heavy lift and air diving op-erations. She is fitted with a doubledrum automatic towing machineand an air diving system, including

recompression chamber. SAFE-GUARD carries approximately 175tons of salvage equipment andmaterials.

The 12 November launching wassponsored by Mrs. Thomas J. Kil-cline. Speakers at the event wereVice Admiral Thomas Kilcline, USNRetired; and Rear Admiral GeorgeW. Davis, Jr., USN, NAVSEA, SEA91. The SAFEGUARD is the first offour ships of a new class of salvageships under contract to PBI and isscheduled for delivery to the Navyin early 1985. The remaining threeships will be delivered by early1986.®

USS PRESERVER(ARS-8)

Change of Command

LCDR John Devlin relievedLCDR Bill Bassett as CommandingOfficer of USS PRESERVER (ARS-8) in ceremonies held 23 Septem-ber, 1983. With the arrival of LCDRDevlin, the number of divers on-board PRESERVER rose to 13.

LCDR Devlin was graduatedfrom the Navy Diving and SalvageTraining Center on 24 June 1983.He served as Weapons Officer onthe USS SOUTH CAROLINA(CGN-37) and the USS BARNEY(DDG-6). He received a graduatedegree in Physics from the NavalPost Graduate School in 1978, andin 1972, he graduated from the

4 FACEPLATE

LCDR John Devlin

Naval Academy with a degree inOceanography.

LCDR Devlin has been recogniz-ed several times for his service inthe Navy. He has received theNavy Commendation Medal with a

Gold Star and the Navy Achieve-ment Medal.

LCDR Bassett will be assigned asthe Seamanship and NavigationDepartment Head at the Naval Am-phibious School, Little Creek. ®

RetractionIn the Fall 1983 issue of

FACEPLATE, the Kerie-Cable ultra-thermic underwater cutting cablewas reported as approved for Navyuse. Although successfully usedon the ENTERPRISE propellerchange under the auspices of OOCin May 1983, the Kerie-Cable hadnot undergone testing at the NavyExperimental Diving Unit andapproval for Navy use was pre-mature. Consequently, approval ofthe Kerie-Cable for Navy use willdepend upon the results of NEDUtesting which is scheduled for thespring of 1984,®

Winter 1983

BUD/S:

^CombatSwimmersphotos by LT Michael Wood Wf-^mtW Hank. The SEAL insignia

•JSQL

By CDR Tom SteffensDirector, BUD/S Training

The Basic Underwater Demoli-tion/SEAL (BUD/S) training courseprepares a select group of men forthe physical, mental and technicalrigors of being Navy combat swim-mers. Sea Air Land (SEAL) Teamsare a trained cadre of naval person-nel within Naval Special Warfarewho carry out clandestine combatmissions. Small units of highly train-ed SEALS support conventionalamphibious and fleet operationsworldwide. The BUD/S program atthe Naval Amphibious School inCoronado, California provides a23-week course of specialized train-ing at the core of this technicalspecialty.

Winter 1983 FACFPLATF l.:,

BUD/S students hit the beach

•tePreparation for a practice exercise Martial arts are part of physical training

Instructor leads outdoor calisthenics6 FACEPLATE

BUD/S training differs from otherNavy diver training programs in thatit emphasizes physical and mentalrequirements demanded by thenature of SEAL work. Diving skillsare taught as a secondary area ofexpertise. The mission of a BUD/Sgraduate could require him to swim2,000 yards submerged usingheavy fins and carrying combatequipment. The 50 percent attritionrate from the BUD/S course—which has remained relativelyconstant in the 30 years of the pro-gram's existence—is testimony tothe fact that only the best can makethe grade.

BUD/S training is intended to bethe toughest military training in theworld. LCDR McCleskey, AssistantDirector of the Program, said: "Themissions of the graduates requirethat they be able to consistently per-form at over 100 percent of their po-tential. Someone who performs at90 percent could be detrimental tothe reliability or safety of his opera-tional unit." The training combinesclassroom and physical fitness workinto a day which is ~\4 hours longor more. The class work is technicaland requires students to quicklyassimilate a broad range of informa-tion from medical disease associ-ated with diving to all diving tables.Obviously this is difficult to digestand retain when the instructionfollows a four-mile timed run, theobstacle course, limpeteer tech-niques or another P.T. session.

Because the physical regimen issuch a major component of BUD/Straining, candidates are sought whohave competitive, athletic back-grounds and who are highly moti-vated, disciplined and self-controlled.

SEAL programs are available torecruits upon completion of RTC.Naval personnel who are 30 oryounger in pay grades E1 - E6 mayvolunteer for BUD/S training.

Phase I: PhysicalEndurance

After a two-week indoctrination inwhich students begin a program oflong-distance running and swim-

Winter 1983

ming, they enter Phase I of training.Phase I concentrates on develop-ing the students' mental and phy-sical abilities. Physical conditioningincludes progressive distanceswimming and running, practice onthe obstacle course and rigorouscalisthenics designed to developstomach, upper body and anklestrength. Instructors push studentsto the limits of their physical andmental ability to determine and ex-pand their limits of physical andmental endurance under stress.

"The basis of the physical fitnesscomponent of BUD/S training is en-durance and reliability—physicaland mental," LCDR McCleskeysaid. "The curriculum is designedto give the student enough confi-dence and presence of mind tokeep treading water or find an alter-native plan when he is waiting to bepicked up by a submarine andrealizes the rendezvous has beenmissed." If that is a slight exag-geration, McCleskey continued, "itis accurate to say that our unitsroutinely operate unsupported inhostile environments that requirediscipline, stamina, strength andtotal self-reliance."

During Phase I students alsolearn to use basic SEAL equipment,to conduct reconnaissance and toadminister emergency combatmedical care.

The culmination of this seven-week phase of training is "hellweek," during which students aresubjected to strenuous physicaltests under adverse and stressfulconditions. Hell week exercises findstudents assigned to five to sevenman boat crews, similar to the typeof unit to which they will be as-signed. Students' ability to functionas part of a team is one of the keyqualities that hell week is designedto test.

This exercise tests the physical,emotional and mental abilities of thecandidate. The week demands self-discipline and control and motiva-tion required to develop the reli-ability demanded of these combattroops. Hell week combines dis-tasteful and adverse situations todetermine if a candidate has the

Winter 1983

Students master in-water skills

Training for the rigors of being a SEAL Ocean-side calisthenics

Students prepare for at-sea trainingFACEPLATE 7

Physical training

Students practice tactical exercises

Physical training8 FACEPLATE

*• /'. - -'\.'. .i ,€•.-!•

Preparing for a practice launch

In-water training

Training in the BUD/S tower

Physical trainingWinter 1983

tenacity required for survival. TheBUD/S refrain—it pays to be awinner—is indicative of the SEAL at-titude that reliability and safety areessential—this is not a suicidesquad.

"Hell week demands the self-discipline, control and motivationthat is needed for reliable combattroops," LCDR McCleskey ex-plained. "Reliability and safety areessential to survival. Graduates ofBUD/S training all possess what thepublic now calls the 'right stuff.' "

Phase II: Diver TrainingAs emphasis on physical training

continues, Phase II prepares stu-dents to become combat divers.They are trained in open, semi-closed and closed circuit SCUBAgear. As well as becoming expertswith the gear, trainees study divingphysics, diving tables and treatmentof diving-related medical disorders.

During the eight weeks of PhaseII divers perform an average oftwo dives per day and one nightdive per week. Most are shallowwater dives of 15 to 20 feet, con-centrating on compass accuracyand combat swimmer techniques.

The BUD/S program conductsmany training dives in its 46-foottower. Trainees practice their skillsin the clear water of the tower andare later re-tested in the open sea.Skills such as using a roving bell,signalling, buoyant ascents andvarious aspects of submarine lockin/lock out are practiced.

The primary operational SCUBAtaught in the BUD/S diving compo-nent is the Draeger (LAR-5) closed-circuit oxygen rig. The Draeger iswell-suited for long-distance clan-destine swimming—it is highlymobile, requires minimal set-up andmaintenance and, of course, gen-erates no bubbles.

Phase III: Land OperationsThe eight weeks of Phase III are

devoted to land warfare—small-unittactics, patrolling, ambush tech-niques, river and stream crossings,rappelling, individual and crew-Winter 1983

served infantry weapons and mili-tary explosives and booby traps.

This phase includes 20 days onSan Clemente Island using live firewith demolition and weapons.Phase III concludes with a three-day field exercise which simulatesa combat scenario.

The purpose of the exercise is todevelop planning and problemsolving skills; to test the ability of thecandidate to coordinate other serv-ices needed to accomplish the mis-sion successfully; to enable the can-didate to develop and execute atactical plan and to incorporate in-formation which is providedthroughout the exercise.

LeadershipAlmost all instructors at BUD/S

are SEALS. Most are ranked E-6 orabove. Their experience andleadership are an integral part ofthe BUD/S program. Each instruc-tor undergoes approximately sixmonths of training.

"Our instructors must be surethat all BUD/S graduates will be fullyacclimated to a water environmentso that they can conduct their mis-sions without worrying about thewater. It must be second nature tothem," LCDR McCleskey said.

"While a relationship between thestudents and instructors might bethought of as adversarial, they areactually developing the potential ofthe candidate to the maximum, ina method which tests the students'limits daily." LCDR McCleskey con-tinued. "If a student decides towithdraw or fails, the instructors be-come supportive counselors."

The instructors lead by exampleand demand the most of the stu-dents. However, it is the rigors ofthe course itself that screen outthose not suited for the SEAL team.

Preparation of a SEAL instructortakes about six months. The instruc-tors receive four-week instructortraining at the Navy Training Centerand two weeks of Leadership,Management, Education Training(LMET). Their indoctrination pro-gram covers one week in each ofthe three phases of BUD/S trainingand always involves supporting ahell week and a field exercise.

A new instructor spends a classcycle watching the instructor he'llrelieve. Because of this process ittakes about three months from re-porting in before the instructorstands at the podium.

On leaving, instructors return toa SEAL unit, probably morespecialized and certainly moreeducated than before, because oftheir two years of presentingmaterial and answering questions.Although instructors can repeat atour at BUD/S, usually they do onlyone tour.

GraduatesGraduates of BUD/S are as-

signed to three weeks of basicparachute training at the Army Air-borne School in Ft. Benning,Georgia and then serve the re-mainder of their first enlistment at aSEAL team.

The Naval Amphibious Schoolalso offers advanced training.SEALS can return for in-depth train-ing in diving supervision, divingequipment and maintenance,corpsman special operationstechnician, lock in/lock out and freeswimming ascent.

There are new billets in the SEALcommunity, so BUD/S graduatescan volunteer for a variety of opera-tional units. These specializedcareers go to the rank of Captain.Enlisted personnel rotate every fiveyears and officers every two.

BUD/S graduates generally keepa relatively low profile in public;however in the Navy community,they are highly respected. ForSEALS the Navy slogan that, "It'snot just a job, it's an adventure," ismuch more than just a public rela-tions slogan.®

FACEPLATE 9

EOD School

By LCDR Mike DuignanTraining Officer

The Navy Explosive OrdnanceDisposal (EOD) School trains of-ficers and enlisted personnel fromall four of the U.S. armed servicesin a highly technical and specializedfield—the recovery, identification,rendering safe and disposal of ex-plosive devices. Located on 550acres at the Naval Ordnance Sta-tion in Indian Head, Maryland, thefour-service school is managed bythe Navy and includes a specialcurriculum for Navy EOD divers.

The surface curriculum—forArmy, Marine Corps and Air Forcestudents—lasts approximately 2010 FACEPLATE

A student in the Underwater Ordnance Division suits up for MK 6 training.

weeks. It includes instruction in thebasics of EOD work and specializedtraining in ground ordnance, airordnance, improvised explosivedevices and nuclear ordnance.Navy students also go throughdiver training at the Naval Divingand Salvage Training Center(NDSTC) in Panama City, Florida.Then at Indian Head they receiveapproximately 11 weeks' training inunderwater ordnance. The entireprogram for Navy EOD studentslasts almost a year.

At all levels of EOD training,safety and precision are empha-

sized. The work is highly technicaland must be performed accuratelyto ensure the safety of the individualinvolved. For that reason, theschool enforces high standards inthe classroom and in fieldexercises.

Underwater ProblemsInstruction in each division in-

cludes hands-on problems, inwhich the students are givenscenarios requiring them to identifyand render safe an explosive de-

Winter 1983

Students participate in MK 6 training exercises. photos by PH2 Dave Marsh

vice. These problems are the heartof EOD training, combining knowl-edge gained in the classroom withthe tension and speed of real EODwork. In all but the Underwater Ord-nance Division, students work oninert training devices; but in theunderwater division, each device isrigged with a half-pound block ofTNT that explodes about 25 feetaway if the student makes a mistakethat would have caused live ord-nance to detonate.

"It might be the dead of winter,but before you get through one ofthose underwater problems, you'veWinter 1983

been concentrating so hard thatyou're down to your skivvy shirt,"MNCM (DV) Perry, a senior instruc-tor at the school, said.

"The Underwater Ordnance Divi-sion has the most unique practicearea in the school," LCDR C.D.Bernier, the underwater sectionhead, said, adding that the specialfeatures of working with underwaterordnance necessitate a specially-designed training program.

"Diving in itself is hazardous,"LCDR Bernier said. "Because mostunderwater ordnance functionacoustically or magnetically, they

are quite sensitive and a bit morerisky than ground or air ordnance.It's bad enough on the surface, butunderwater it really gets youradrenalin pumping."

Diver Training

Before arriving at the EODSchool, Navy students learnSCUBA, MK 1 and MK 12 atNDSTC, in Second Class DiverTraining for enlisted personnel andthe Salvage Officer class for of-ficers. As part of the UnderwaterOrdnance Division at the EOD

FACEPLATE 11

School, students also learn the MK6 semi-closed circuit SCUBA rig.

The MK 6 operates on mixedgas. Because it only lets out ex-haust at every third or fourth breath,it is considered semi-tactical. (It can-not be considered fully tacticalbecause it releases trace bubbles.)The MK 6 has a low acoustical andlow magnetic signature, making itwell-suited for underwater ord-nance disposal. "The school is an-ticipating a switch in the spring of1984 to the new MK 16, a non-acoustic, .non-magnetic, fully-closedcircuit rig." Bernier said. (For fulldescription of the MK 16 seeFACEPLATE Summer 1983.)

MK 6 training takes place in theEOD School's 24-foot-deep trainingpool. The pool has a crane at oneend which is used to stage weap-ons for practice work. As in anydiver training program, EOD diversmust become comfortable enoughwith the rig to be able to operate itunder high-pressure working situa-tions. MK 6 training includes class-room instruction in the theory of therig, decompression tables and pro-cedures and maintenance andupkeep. Students also learn to splitand mix the gas for use with the MK6. Practical orientation to the MK 6takes place through a variety of ex-ercises in the EOD School's 24-foot-deep training pool and qualifyingdives are made in the pressurecomplex. A Medical Officer isalways on station during MK 6training.

Diver discipline is an importantaspect of EOD diver training. Whentrying to locate an ordnance deviceunderwater, the divers' moves mustbe slow and deliberate rather thanquick and jerky, so that they do notbump into live ordnance acci-dentally. This can be especially dif-ficult when visibility is low; and, infact, low visibility frequently causesEOD units to rethink the advisabilityof diving. Divers must also becareful not to set off devices that areacoustically or magnetically deto-nated—there are limits on howclosely they can approach ord-nance with sonar or underwaterordnance locators.

12 FACEPLATE

Practice ExercisesIn EOD applications, diving is

chiefly a means of locating andtransporting an item. Most EODwork is within the depth limits ofSCUBA (130 feet) or the MK 6 (170feet). Because of the physical rigorsof diving, the Underwater Ord-nance Division is the only one whichincludes regular physical training. Inthe other divisions, physical trainingis voluntary.

Once divers have been trained inthe MK 6, they begin practice ex-ercises in the Patuxent River. Theriver is salted with explosive de-vices. Students working in teams

must first search for and locate theordnance. As in any practice exer-cise, they identify as much as pos-sible about the device from a short-range reconnaissance, such as theshape, position, any identifyingmarkings or numbers, efc. Theythen return to the surface, identifythe device in their manuals andestablish the proper render safeprocedure (RSP). Once this hasbeen accomplished, they returnunderwater and do whatever isnecessary to render safe anddispose of the ordnance.

"These diving scenarios operatejust like a regular situation," LCDRBernier said. "They'll keep working

A timed practical exercise in the Core Division

Winter 1983

until 2 a.m., if need be."There are a limited number of op-

tions that can be performed on anordnance underwater. In mostcases, ordnance are brought onshore before they are renderedsafe—beaching is therefore a majoraspect of this segment of training.Ordnance are brought to the sur-face by lift bags.

' The trick is that someone has toattach the balloon to the devicewithout bumping it and setting itoff," LCDR Bernier said. Both theballoon and the bridle that is usedto attach it are non-magnetic. Oncethe balloon is attached it is operatedremotely by electric controls, whichpump in air that causes the balloonto rise, bringing the device up withit. RSP and disposal can then becarried out.

"The skills we teach in the Under-water Ordnance Division arebasic," LCDR Bernier said, "butthey all apply in real live situations."

MK 6 training continues.

Surface CurriculumBefore entering the Underwater

Ordnance Division, Navy studentsmust successfully complete theEOD School's surface curriculum,in which they are grouped with theircounterparts from the Army, AirForce and Marine Corps. Trainingbegins with two weeks at the Red-stone Arsenal in Alabama where,under the direction of the Army,students learn chemical andbiological weapons.

The first phase of training at theEOD School is the Core Division,where students learn the basics ofexplosives and explosive effects,applied physical principles, elec-tricity, batteries and mechanicaltools. They also learn to use thepublications. These voluminousdocuments are the foundation ofair, ground and underwater EODwork. They contain complete infor-mation on the design, function,hazardous components, RSPs anddisposal of explosive ordnance.

Learning how to identify devicesand look up information in thepublications is as vital a skill aslearning the basic safety pro-cedures, which are also taught inthe Core Division.

"In the practical exercises in thisdivision students practice theirmechanical skills and learn to usethem in a crisis," SGT RonaldGerber, a Core instructor, said."There's no cookbook. There are17 safety factors. They have todecide which ones apply. If theydecide wrong they could theoretic-ally injure their teammates orhamper operations."

Most attrition from the EODSchool (the overall rate is 21 per-cent) occurs among trainees in theCore Division.

In the Demolition Training Divi-'sion, students practice at the StumpNeck Range, 13 miles from theschool. During this phase they havetheir first hands-on exposure to liveexplosives.

"Explosives are just another tool

Winter 1983 FACEPLATE 13

for us," Master Chief Perry said,noting that they are often used topry an ordnance from the ground.In this division students also learnto operate hyper-velocity tools.These tools can perform functionssuch as removing a fuse from abomb almost instantaneously.

The Ground Ordnance Division,the next phase of training, instructsstudents in approximately 300types of ordnance, including mines,rockets, mortars, booby traps andhand grenades. Approximately 60percent of the time is spent in thepractical area working onproblems.

"Go/No Go" TrainingIn this division, as in the core and

air divisions, students are evaluatedon a "go/no go" basis. For eachproblem a student may be requiredto solve, there will be a list of pro-cedures that must be performedcorrectly. Each student is allowedonly a small number of mistakes-no go's—on each problem. Certainprocedures are red-lined, meaningthe student fails the entire problemif that procedure is skipped orcarried out incorrectly.

"The go/no go system gives usan objective measure of each stu-dent's progress," SSG JohnHaldeman, a Ground Division in-structor, said. "We can help thestudents right up to the point wherewe feel they can't make it."

Students must pass problems inland mines, grenades, projectilesand rockets, as well as a written testand an I.D. test.

"The I.D. test is the hardestbecause we have so many types ofordnance," SSG Haldeman said."They have to identify what type ofordnance, the type of fuse, whetherit's armed or unarmed, what coun-try it's from and the necessarysafety precautions."

In the Air Ordnance Division, thedevices are more complex than anythe students have encountered sofar and students must also learnhow the ordnance are stored andfired from aircrafts.

"For some of these guys, the only

14 FACEPLATE

An instructor supervises training.Winter 1983

aircraft they've ever seen is the onethat took them to basic training,"CAPT Anthony Massino, Officer inCharge of the division, said. Air-craft used in the practice area of thisdivision include Navy fighters, anArmy helicopter and a B-52 bombbay, among others.

Instruction in this division is di-vided into five sections—egresssystems, gun systems, guided mis-siles, bomb and bomb fuses anddispensers and payloads. U.S. andSoviet devices are emphasized butstudents are trained to deal withordnance from all over the world.The problems are timed for approxi-mately 90 minutes, just as in theGround Ordnance Division, despitethe fact that air ordnance are morecomplex. "Once they get here,they're a little bit more professionalbecause they've been exposed to

the same routine several times,"CAPT Massino said.

Real Life PerspectiveThe Surface EOD training pro-

gram also includes divisions in im-provised explosive devices andnuclear devices.

The rigorous testing at the EODSchool insures that students willnot make dangerous mistakes oncethey are out working in the field. "Ifa student misses something in a testit's not just a point off," CAPTMassino said. "They'll get slappedin the face with it in the real worldworking with live ordnance. We in-still that perspective in them—careless or inaccurate work couldcause them or their teammates tobe killed."

In addition to the 2,000-plus

American students who are trainedat the EOD School each year, ap-proximately 150 students from 51foreign countries are trained eachyear in specially-designed courses.The school trains students from anycountry to which the United Stateshas sold ordnance. The fall of 1983class included students from Jor-dan, Israel, Egypt, the Philippines,South Korea, Japan and Jamaica.The EOD School also sends MobileTraining Teams to countries that re-quest them.

The divisions of the EOD Schoolwork together to provide completetraining to a wide range of studentsin a highly technical and oftendangerous field. By fulfillingits mission, the school makes an im-portant contribution not only to theNavy, but to all the U.S. militaryforces. (£b)

Students practice using the lifting balloon during an Underwater Ordnance Division exercise.

Winter 1983 FACEPLATE 15

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16 FACEPLATE

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Winter 1983

Revises Curriculumto ImproveFleet Diver Training

uIBy BMCM (MDV) Richard RadeckiNaval Diving and Salvage TrainingCenter

The Navy Diving and SalvageTraining Center (NDSTC) is theheart of the Navy's diver trainingprogram. At NDSTC's Panama Cityfacility, students in courses fromSecond Class Diver to Master DiverQualification learn the latest divingskills and techniques and how tooperate Navy-approved divingequipment. NDSTC's curriculum,which has undergone substantialrevision over the past year, empha-sizes at all levels the importance ofsupervision and planning, at-seaexperience and the basics of diverphysics and medicine.

"We've honed in on the heart ofthe subject matter, to producebetter-prepared divers, with in-creased water time, knowledge ofcertification requirements and in-creased technical knowledge of theMK 1 and MK 12," CDR BruceBanks, Commanding Officer ofNDSTC, said.

The revisions in NDSTC's cur-riculum are designed to give thedivers all the skills they'll need toperform their work professionally,NDSTC's Curriculum InstructionalStandards Officer LT Kent Skudin,explained. "We tell the divers intheir first week of training that pre-sent state-of-the-art divingtechnology is complex. Today'sdiver is more than just an under-water mechanic," he said.

NDSTC's mission is to train se-

Students give the O.K. signal beforeSCUBA problem-solving begins.photos by AT3 Jim Olson

lected officers and enlisted person-nel in diving, ship salvage and sub-marine rescue. To fulfill this mission,it offers 11 courses, ranging inlength from one to 18 weeks. Sinceit opened in 1980, NDSTC hasgraduated approximately 1,800divers, including students from theother U.S. military services, se-lected civilians from the DefenseDepartment and foreign allied na-tionals as well as Navy divers.

All students must fulfill the Navy'shigh expectations in all aspects ofthe coursework—the rigorous phy-sical requirements, the classroomtime devoted to diving theory andhands-on mastery of the divingsystems. Although the curriculum isdemanding, spirit at NDSTC is highas students learn not only the skills,but the team approach that isnecessary for their work as Navydivers.

"The team spirit here is out-standing," LT(JG) Susan Cowan, astudent class leader in the BasicDiving Officer course, said. "As aworking diver, you have to trust anddepend on everyone in your diveteam and they begin building thatspirit here."

The BasicsAccording to LT Skudin, the first

building blocks at any level of divertraining are the basics of diverphysics and medicine. These sub-jects are taught in the classroomduring the first weeks of training—this learning is further reinforced bytesting the students every week ontheir knowledge of the basics.

"The first weeks of training arenot a time to learn the theory and

FACEPLATE 17

Students enter the water for a session of SCUBA problem-solving.

then forget it—it's a make you orbreak you time," LT Skudin said. "Ifyou don't understand the basics,you don't understand diving."

"Because of the increased em-phasis on the basics, night study forall students has become the normat NDSTC. In the past, studentswould attend night sessions afterthey failed a test. Now they knowthey'll have to pass a test on thismaterial during each week of theirtraining," LT Skudin said. In addi-tion, the care and concern shownby instructors—the fact that they'rewilling to spend their time helpingstudents—motivates the students towork harder.

SGT Stephen Heimbach, a mem-ber of the U.S. Army staff atNDSTC, said in the Second ClassDiver physics class he is presentlyteaching, the team of instructorsidentifies students who are havingtrouble and tells them to come in fornight study. "We're available at anytime," SGT Heimbach said. "If a18 FACEPLATE

student wants help or needs help,he gets it."

In addition to increased emphasison the basics, the NDSTC curricu-lum has been restructured to targetthe specific classroom audiences.NDSTC previously offered "gen-eric" courses—physics, medicine,efc., LT Skudin explained. How-ever, students at different levels oftraining have different needs. Forexample, SCUBA students used tolearn surface decompression aspart of their diving physics instruc-tion. Since the Navy Diving Manualprohibits them from conducting sur-face decompression, it has beeneliminated from their physics curric-ulum. Second Class Diver physicshas been made more mathematicaland stringent with respect to aircalculations and other practical ap-plications. Changes such as thesehave been made in all modules ofthe NDSTC curriculum and eachrevised module has been re-numbered as a separate document.

At-Sea andIn-Water Training

NDSTC has increased theamount of time spent at sea in al-most every level of diver training.SCUBA students used to take theirqualifying dives in. "pots" —NDSTC's pressure vessel assem-blies (PVAs) and the fleet was repor-ting that the graduates were notfamiliar with the open-sea en-vironment. In response to that input,NDSTC in April instituted open seaqualifying dives for its SCUBAstudents. "Anyone can breathe gasunder pressure in a pot," LT Skudinsaid. "However, working safely andeffectively in an open sea environ-ment is the hard part."

Three days of diving operationsat sea and at-sea qualifying diveswere added to the Second Classdiver curriculum in June. Threedays at sea using the MK 12 havealso been added to the Basic Div-ing Officers course, with emphasis

Winter 1983

on supervision. Previously, mostdives in these courses were madein PVAs or off NDSTC's pier in 30feet of water in Alligator Bayou. Inaddition to the at-sea training, sevendays of in-water time have beenadded to the Second Class Divercurriculum.

Second Class Diver Training is inmany respects the core of theNavy's diver training program. Inthis 12-week course, the Navy trainsenlisted personnel in diving systemsfrom SCUBA to surface-supportedair diving in the lightweight MK 1 todeep-sea air diving in the MK 12.Divers not only learn to operatethese systems, but also the under-water skills they'll need to performship husbandry, salvage and avariety of other diving operations.In-water time is a crucial componentof this curriculum.

Divers at all levels of training workon a variety of projects from the fiveopen diving bays on AlligatorBayou. Projects include replacing agasket on a four-bolt flange, whichsimulates underwater work on pipe-lines; practicing search methods,such as circle and jack staysearches; and underwater hullsurveys. In performing the hullsurveys, divers enter the water fromthe stern of one of NDSTC's twodiving support craft moored in thebay and progress underwater to thebow, noting dents, scratches,marine growth, efc. along the ship'shull. Instructors will often place amagnet or other object on the hullto test divers' ability to locate foreignobjects. Projects such as theseallow divers to practice simul-taneously their skills in using the div-ing equipment and in underwatership husbandry.

These projects are conductedwith SCUBA, MK 1 and MK 12; andat each level, students mustdemonstrate their ability to com-plete the underwater work within aspecified amount of time.

"It's fine to train a diver to dive,"HM1 Craig Johnson, an instructorof the Second Class Diver course,said. "But if they can't learn torecognize problems on a ship'shull, then their effectiveness in thewater is quite limited."

Winter 1983

A student prepares for a practice dive in one of NDSTC's indoor facilities,

The air sampling kit—now a part of all major diving courses.

SCUBA

Students and instructors gen-erally agree that SCUBA is the mostdifficult system to learn. It is the firstsystem taught to inexperienceddivers—while they are learning tooperate a SCUBA rig they are alsolearning to breathe, move and workunderwater.

"SCUBA is definitely the hard-est," LT Cowan of the Basic DivingOfficers class said. "When westart training we're used to the land.It takes time to get used to thewater. Once you're comfortableunderwater, once you have confi-dence in the equipment, then youcan concentrate on the other as-pects of diving."

Problem solving is the most dif-ficult part of SCUBA training. In thisphase of instruction, students wear-ing SCUBA gear swim circles inNDSTC's 12-foot deep outdoordiver training facility. As they swim,instructors simulate in-water prob-lems, by taking off the students'masks, removing their mouthpieces,efc. The students must do whateveris necessary—re-adjust the equip-ment, buddy breathe with theirpartners—to resolve the problem.

To insure students' safety duringtraining, several instructors swimwith them in the tank, watching fordangerous situations or signs oftrouble. An alarm system runsthroughout NDSTC and a stretcherand a recompression chamber are

FACEPLATE 19

nearby for use if needed. Each setof SCUBA gear is carefully checkedafter each class.

' This is the most dangerous partof the curriculum and the hardestmentally on the instructor," HTCSRon McLaughlin said. "Studentshave to learn to handle emergencysituations on the bottom, becauseif an emergency happened at 130feet, the diver would die before hecould get to the surface if properaction was not taken."

Medical TrainingA basic part of the curriculum for

all Navy divers is learning to copewith pressure-related health prob-lems. Although diving officers andMaster Divers have a greater re-sponsibility for insuring the healthand safety of their diving teams,Second Class Divers must also beprepared to handle medical emer-gencies. Special units in divingmedicine have been added to theclassroom portions of severalNDSTC courses.

One week of advanced medicinehas been added to the MasterDiver/Diving Officers program. The

First Class Diver curriculum hasincorporated recompressionchamber supervisor training in-cluding surface decompressionwith air and oxygen and recognitionand treatment of casualties.

LT Rick Odland, one of the twoDiving Medical Officers at NDSTC,said a key factor in medical trainingis teaching students to recognizedecompression sickness, the mostcommon diving-related injury. Thesymptoms of decompression sick-ness—pain in the joints, nausea,dizziness—mimic those of otherdiseases. If a diver is suffering fromdecompression sickness, he or shemay need to be treated in a recom-pression chamber.

NDSTC is well equipped, LTOdland said, not only for training,but for treating sickness or injuriesas they occur. The school has sixrecompression chambers and themedical facilities include a labora-tory and an emergency operatingroom. Students are instructed toreport any symptoms immediatelyto their diving supervisors. "Ac-cidents here are minor becausewe're able to get to them rightaway," LT Odland said. Most treat-

ments are for minor complaintssuch as ear barotrauma ("earsqueeze").

In addition to the diving medicineincorporated into the major divingcourse, special classes are offeredin Medical Department Diving Of-ficer, Medical Deep-Sea DivingTechnician and Recognition andTreatment of Diving Casualties.

Diving AdministrationAnother major aspect of the re-

visions that have been made to theNDSTC curriculum is the increasedattention given to the administrativerequirements of diving, includingquality assurance and diving sys-tems certification.

"Certification was a stumblingblock for Fleet divers," explainedQMC Robert Roane Smith, an in-structor who developed the certifi-cation curriculum. "When divers goout to the Fleet they have a divingsystem to maintain. All repairs andmodifications must be made in ac-cordance with Navy manuals. Weteach them where to begin search-ing in the manuals for the require-ments for making repairs."

MK12 training exercises.

20 FACEPLATE Winter 1983

"Satisfying requirements fordocumentation is crucial," QMCSmith added. "If a ship does notdocument that repairs were madeaccording to Navy specifications,they will not be able to use the div-ing system until the repair is re-doneand/or documented properly."

The certification instruction givenin First Class Diver and Diving Of-ficer Training familiarizes studentswith two documents—the Certifica-tion Manual for Deep SubmergenceSystems and the Type CommanderQuality Assurance Manual. "Thepurpose of the three-and-a-half-dayprogram," QMC Smith said, "is tomake students aware that thestandards exist, not to teach themspecifically how the standardsshould be met."

A half-day of instruction in airsampling was added to all themajor diving courses in April. Infleet, divers are required to submitair samples from their diving sys-tems every six months. "Mostdivers did not know how to use theair sampling kit," QMC Smith said."By adding air sampling to theNDSTC curriculum, Fleet divers willknow how to assemble the com-ponents of the kit, connect it to thediving system, take the sample andreturn it to the lab." Because thereare a limited number of kits avail-able, this procedure must be com-pleted within three days—efficientuse of the kit in the fleet is essentialto the air sampling program.

LeadershipIn addition to giving its students

a solid foundation in diving theory,skills and equipment, NDSTC givesadvanced students training andhands-on experience meeting thechallenges of leadership.

"Leadership takes personal sen-sitivity, technical background andcommitment," CDR Banks said."We teach by example, by eval-uating the quality of the student'sperformance throughout his or herstay here and by a subjective guessof each student's ability to lead. Wejudge performance, attitude andstick-to-itiveness."

Students as well as instructors areaware of the special qualities itWinter 1983

takes to be an effective leader-thai in addition to learning how tooperate equipment, they must learnto evaluate situations, make deci-sions and, on occasion, respond toemergencies quickly.

In LT(JG) Cowan's Basic DivingOfficer Class, this means increasedemphasis on learning to supervisea dive, run the consoles that con-trol a diving system and handlemedical or other emergencies.Much of this training takes placefrom the Center's open diving bayson Alligator Bayou. For at-sea train-ing, students take one of NDSTC'stwo Yard Diving Tenders (YDTs)12-15 miles out into the Gulf of Mex-ico and perform dives in 100-120feet of salt water.

"They take the fleet environmentand put it into a school environ-ment," LT(JG) Cowan said. "We'reno longer in the classroom, we'reout there learning to react in ahands-on environment. They'll even

Suiting up for SCUBA exercises atNDSTC's 12-foot deep outdoortraining facility.

throw simulated casualties at us tosee how we react. This type of train-ing is especially important for of-ficers, because we're the ones who'llbe responsible for running the divescorrectly. NDSTC makes effectivedivers out of people with minimal orno prior diving experience."

The YDTs, although considerablysmaller than fleet diving vessels, areequipped with standard fleet re-compression chambers that can beused for treatments to 165 feet. Theconsoles and controls are alsosimilar to what graduates will find inthe Fleet. Before operating the con-trols, students are required toprepare accurate drawings of thesystem. As a safety measure, in-structors monitor the students con-tinuously while the controls arebeing operated.

FACEPLATE 21

These YDTs are used in a variety of training exercises.

The "hulk"—used by students in salvage projects—moored in Alligator Bayou.

Moving Toward the FutureThe Salvage Diving Officer curric-

ulum is now bringing its students in-to the computer age, with the addi-tion of hand operated calculators tothe coursework. Students learn toprogram hand operated calculatorsto perform buoyancy and stabilitycalculations needed in salvage pro-jects. This training is incorporatedinto their final exam—a salvagesituation summary. In this exam,students use their calculators and22 FACEPLATE

Navy towing and salvage manualsto figure out on paper how to rig,salvage and tow a stricken vessel.

NDSTC plans to continue up-dating and revising its curriculum tomeet the changing demands ofNavy diving and salvage. A curricu-lum feedback system, implementedin December 1982, has so far gen-erated approximately 275 sugges-tions from students and instructors.Almost all have resulted in changesto the curriculum.

In the near future, students will belearning to operate portable recom-pression chambers. NDSTC hasalso requested 14 new audio-visualproductions on all aspects of divertraining. Training in the automatictowing machine, to be used with thenew ARS-50, will also be added.

"The spirit and the quality of in-struction provided at NDSTC aregreat," CDR Banks said. "We'reproviding the U.S. Navy the best-trained Navy divers in the world."®

Winter 1983

CoronadoDive SchoolKeeDsFboewithInnovationsBy Ensign Roger KitsonNaval Amphibious School, Coronado

NDSTC is not the only facility thatoffers basic diver training. Providingthe Navy with top quality divers isalso the mission of the DiverSecond Class Training Department(DSTD) of the Naval AmphibiousSchool, Coronado. As at NDSTC,many changes have occurred atDSTD during the past five years.Sophistication in diving equipment,technical advancements in navalship hull design, water tool designimprovements and metallurgical in-novations have mandated changesin curriculum and pointed out theneed for modern facilities.

Located in a modern, 50,000square foot complex, DSTD's fa-cility possesses two training tanks(each over 10,000 gallons), an LCM6 SCUBA boat, an LCM 8 surfacesupport boat certified to 190 feetwith a recompression chamber andthree Boston Whaler safety boats.Additionally, the department has a25,000 square foot waterfront/piercomplex project barge with a certi-fied LP air system.

Innovations and improvements indiving equipment and techniquesused in today's diving Navy are acontinuing impetus for changes incurriculum. As at NDSTC, the oldMK V SSDS has been deleted fromtraining and the MK 12 SSDS hasbeen added. Improvements inunderwater welding and cuttingequipment and techniques havealso prompted curriculum changessuch as cutting with MAPP gas, useof austenitic welding rods andunderwater ultra-sonic testingequipment.Winter 1983

Greater emphasis is now beingplaced on the academic portion ofthe courses. Previously, there wereno formal written testing methods.Now, the students are both testedand given a comprehensive reen-forcement exam on a weekly basis.Satisfactory completion of a finalwritten exam is a prerequisite forgraduation. Grading standards pro-vide the student with several oppor-tunities to evaluate his or her pro-gress to learn the material. Studentsmust also attain a designatedphysical performance level beforethey are allowed to graduate.

The department not only trainsdivers for the Navy diving com-munity, but for all services, and alsoconducts the reserve phase trainingprogram. For example, DSTD trainsthe U.S. Air Force Manned SpaceFlight Engineers, qualifying them inSCUBA at 40 feet in preparation forsimulated space walks in the ex-ternal craft simulator located atLong Beach, California. They arealso familiarized with the MK 12SSDS because it is similar to theNASA space suit.

Major advancements in divingmedicine are occurring more fre-quently and the curriculum is up-

The school buildingand "shark."

LCM-8 Second ClassDivers diving boat

with the diving bargein front.

photos byLT James H. Cosper II

dated to reflect these changes.Recompression chamber opera-tions have been added to familiarizethe students with chamber opera-tions and how to monitor personswith decompression sickness.

DSTD is in the process of insti-tuting several new course topics in-cluding the portable recompressionchamber, the new generation ofunderwater hydraulic tools and anunderwater ship husbandry pack-age course for divers going to In-termediate Maintenance Activitiesand to a Mobile Diving and SalvageUnit. Many new topics have alreadybeen implemented, especially in thearea of practical training. These in-clude tower training (free andbuoyant ascent), surf entries, morecomplete maintenance proceduresfor SCUBA, the open diving belland personal records. Night divesand underwater hull inspectionshave been added to increasestudents' practical experience.

The Diver Second Class TrainingDepartment helps provide theworld's best divers, a task that isachieved through perseveranceand hard work by the staff and thestudents.&

FACEPLATE 23

Search for theVmfflNIARAM

By LT R.E. NisleyMobile Diving and Salvage Unit TWO

Divers from Mobile Diving andSalvage Unit (MDSU) TWO recent-ly completed an underwater surveyof the Civil War era ship USSCUMBERLAND, which was sunkby the Confederate ship CSSVIRGINIA in the Spring of 1862 inthe James River near NewportNews, Virginia. The objective of thesurvey was to determine thefeasibility of finding and raisingVIRGINIA'S 1,800 pound cast-ironram. The confrontation betweenVIRGINIA and CUMBERLAND-which was won by VIRGINIA'S useof this powerful ram—and the ramitself are historically importantbecause they signified the superiori-ty of the iron warship over herwooden predecessor.24 FACEPLATE

The Confederates had recon-figured (and renamed) the VIR-GINIA from the iron clad USS MER-RIMACK, which had been scuttledby retreating Union forces early inthe war. In addition to the ram at herbow, VIRGINIA had been equippedwith an iron-covered casementsloping 40° positioned on her maindeck, along with heavier arma-ments.

On the morning of 8 March 1862,the newly refitted CSS VIRGINIAsteamed slowly from her berth atthe stone drydock at the GosportNaval Shipyard, Norfolk toward theUnion fleet at anchor in the JamesRiver. Flag Officer Franklin Buchan-an was in command of the ship'snew crew, which included workmenwho were completing repairs. VIR-GINIA'S mission was to confront

The CSS VIRGINIA with the ram.

and sink the CUMBERLAND,which was the Union's most heavilygunned warship.

Steaming at five knots with thickblack smoke billowing from hersingle smokestack and sunlightglistening from the grease smeared(to deflect cannon shot) on hersides, VIRGINIA struck a formidableappearance that morning. AlthoughVIRGINIA was visible for miles asshe approached the Union block-ade, the ships in the vicinity wereunable to maneuver into position forbattle, because there was not suffi-cient wind for their sails.

VIRGINIA fired first upon the USSCONGRESS, which lay to her an-chor near the CUMBERLAND. Shethen turned toward her target andrammed CUMMBERLAND on thestarboard bow below the forechan-

Winter 1983

nel, simultaneously firing a bowcannon. CUMBERLAND firedvolley after volley at VIRGINIA in afruitless attempt to discourage theattack. Mortally wounded as a resultof the ramming, CUMBERLANDlurched and began to sink as VIR-GINIA backed down to free herself.In this process, the ram broke fromits foundation on VIRGINIA'S bow.CUMBERLAND quickly settled tothe bottom of the James River withover 120 men trapped below onher gundecks.

CUMBERLAND, to this day agrave for the men who defendedher, remains the property of theU.S. Navy. Historical information onthe ship has been maintained byHampton Roads Naval Museum.Mike Curtain, curator of themuseum, assisted the MDSU TWOsurvey team as they reviewed thehistory of the battle and developedpreliminary determinations of theexpected outcomes of their survey.

The survey team was composedof men and women from MDSUTWO, Reserve MDSU Detachments101 from Portsmouth, New Hamp-shire and 304 from Philadelphia,Pennsylvania. Reservists attachedto these units were also assigned tothe search. The YSD-53, a con-verted sea plane derrick with a FlyAway Diving System (FADS) on-board, provided surface-supplieddiving capability. The MK 1 and MK12 surface supplied diving systemsand a 35 foot work boat (WB) witha hand held fathometer were alsodeployed to the survey site.

Three principal goals were es-tablished before the survey began.The first—to locate the exact posi-tion of the CUMBERLAND. Afterthe battle, CUMBERLAND'S mastsand rigging had been cleared to

The YSD-53 underway to search for the VIRGINIA ram.

The USS CUMBERLANDWinter 1983

allow unimpeded navigation of theriver. Her site on the river bottom,however, was not positively mark-ed. The second goal was to deter-mine CUMBERLAND'S dispositionon the bottom—how and in whichdirection the ship was resting. Final-ly, the team would survey theCUMBERLAND'S hulk for the ram,focusing their search on the star-board bow, where the vessel hadreportedly been rammed. In plan-ning and during the survey opera-tion, every effort was made to main-tain the structural integrity of thewreck and not to disturb its generalcondition.

Attempts to survey the CUM-BERLAND were made in April andJuly. Both attempts were impededby heavy commercial traffic in thewaterway near the dive site, a rivercurrent of more than two knots anda complete lack of visibility on thebottom.

As a result of both surveys, theexact position of CUMBERLANDwas determined near the westernend of Pier "C," Newport NewsMarine Terminal, Newport News,Virginia. The vessel was found in 80feet of water with the bow headeddownstream and had a starboardlist of approximately 30°. The wreckwas covered with sediment. Thedeck was exposed and strewn withdebris such as timber, river sludge,pilings and even oyster tongs. Herport side rose four feet above theriver bottom amidships, tapering tothe mudline forward. The starboardbow was well below the mudline.

The divers located an apparentaccess to the gundeck near what

appeared to be the remnant of thedeckhouse. In the process of thesurvey, three artifacts were re-covered by the divers. They werelater turned over to the museumrepresentatives for proper handlingand preservation. These items werea compass housing, a brass fusetouch hole cover that was engrav-ed with the date 1858 and a brassplate that had apparently sustainedbattle damage.

Thirty dives were conducted inthe two attempts and two of theoriginal goals of the survey wereaccomplished. CUMBERLANDwas accurately located after yearsof uncertainty and its orientation onthe river bottom was determined.Unfortunately, the silting that hasoccurred during the 121 yearssince the battle prevented thedivers from locating the ram. Anyfurther endeavor to find the rammust involve removing the mudfrom the area of the starboard bow.It was estimated from the CUM-BERLAND dimensions that the rammay lie as deep as 20 feet belowthe mudline.

Whether or not the ram is even-tually located and salvaged, thesignificance of the ram and thememory of the CUMBERLAND,VIRGINIA and the crews whofought and died in that battle overa century ago shall always stand astestimony to their place in thehistory of naval warfare.

Historical information taken fromEdward Miller's "Bound for Hamp-ton Roads," Civil War Times Illus-trated, Vo. XX, No. 4, July 1981.13

FACEPLATE 25

By LCDR Michael D. CurleyNavy Experimental Diving Unit

A 29-day, 1000 feet seawater(fsw) helium-oxygen saturation divewas completed by divers from theNavy Experimental Diving Unit(NEDU) as part of Deep Dive 1982.the dive took place in NEDU'sOcean Simulation Facility (OSF),one of the largest hyperbaricfacilities in the world. The seven-man dive team worked approx-imately three months on the project.

The primary purpose of DeepDive 1982 was to continue testingthe life support capability of the MK14 Closed Circuit Saturation DivingSystem (CCSDS). Secondary goalswere to conduct graded exercisetesting of the Superlite 17B open-circuit demand hard hat; to evaluatea semi-closed circuit emergencybreathing apparatus for use in per-sonnel transfer capsules with con-taminated atmospheres; and to in-vestigate the effectiveness of usinga nitrogen-filled dry suit to keep adiver warm in a 0°C helium-filledchamber.

The Deep Dive team assembledat NEDU on 7 September 1982, tenweeks before the anticipated startof the dive. After a week of class-room studies, the team spent fourweeks in a thorough training pro-gram on the MK 14 CCSDS inNEDU's 55,000 gallon test pool.Pool training was followed by twoweeks of work in the OSF, duringwhich each dive team membercompleted one graded exercise ona bicycle ergometer each day. Theergometers measure divers' cardio-vascular output while they exerciseat various pressures. In the twoweeks immediately precedingDeep Dive 1982, divers completedfour days each of 30 and 60 fswworkup dives.

On 16 November 1982, theseven U.S. Navy divers entered theOSF complex and were pressuriz-ed to 214 fsw. Twelve days werespent using the MK 14 CCSDS inupward and downward excursionsfrom various saturation depths. AllMK 14 CCSDS evaluations wereconducted in the OSF's 55,000gallon wet chamber filled with waterand chilled to 35 °F.26 FACEPLATE

NEDU

Deep1982

On the 13th day of the dive thecomplex was brought to 1,000 fsw,where the dive team remained forfour days. While at 1,000 fsw, thedivers participated in a dry thermalstudy investigating use of a PassiveDiver Thermal Protection System(PDTPS). The system is designed tokeep a diver warm at 1,000 fswwhen the PDTPS dry suit outergar-ment is filled with nitrogen (vicehelium). An upward excursion wasmade to 844 fsw on dive day #17,where the dive team engaged intwo days of Superlite 17B and MK1 Mod S testing. During the decom-pression phase of the dive, theemergency breathing apparatuswas evaluated by members of thedive team at various depths. Allstudies planned for the dive weresuccessfully carried out by the diveteam members with the sustainedsupport of NEDU watchstandingpersonnel. The results of thespecific studies conducted are con-tained in NEDU reports.

Each saturation dive at NEDUprovides a unique opportunity fortraining new and experienced per-sonnel on the 10 OSF watch sta-tions. During Deep Dive 1982, 19men and women successfully pass-

ed rigorous oral and written watchqualification boards, resulting in anadditional 27 watchstanding qualifi-cations on the OSF. The high num-ber of qualifications achieved dur-ing Deep Dive 1982 reflects crediton both the recently qualified per-sonnel and the experienced watch-standers, all of whom maintain highlevels of proficiency on the OSFsystem.

Dive team members included:MC(DV) J. Morrow (Team Leader),HMCM(DV)T. Holmes, HTC(DV) R.Pruitt, TM1(DV) R. Novak, HT1(DV)J.Jones, MM1(DV) R. Valentine andGMG2(DV) D. Luther.

Nitrogen-OxygenSaturation Dive

Thirty-three days after the sur-facing of Deep Dive 1982, anotherNEDU dive team entered theOcean Simulation Facility to begina five-and-a-half day nitrogen-oxygen saturation dive at 60 feetseawater (fsw). The purpose of thisdive was to continue the validationof a 60 fsw extended air decom-pression procedure which was de-veloped to expand the Navy's abili-ty to treat decompression sicknessand air embolism.

The dive team, dressed in thePassive Diver Thermal ProtectionSystem, dove the MK 15 closed cir-cuit UBA in 35 °F water to establishC02 canister duration at variousoperational temperatures.

On 17 January 1983, ten Navydivers were compressed to 60 fswto carry out the MK 15 studies. Div-ing evolutions were carried outsmoothly throughout the dive, andall divers were safely decompress-ed to the suface with no incidentsof decompression sickness. Thedata gathered from the dive willcontribute to the formulation of safeoperational diving treatment tableguidelines for the Fleet and MK 15operational parameters.

Dive team members included:EMCS(DV) J. Cole (Team Leader),CDR H. Schwartz, CDR D. Whall,LCDR W. Evans, LCDR F. Butler,LT(N) E. Pahl, HTCM(DV) J. Scott,ETC(DV) P. Pavlow, EN1(DV) K.Lang, and QM2(DV) J. Sorenson.®

Winter 1983

Naval Hyberbaric CenterLaunches CardiovascularDive Series inNew Chambers

A subject in the dive study pedals a bicycle ergometer.Winter 1983

By Maureen A. DarmodyEditorHyperbaric Medicine Program CenterNMRI

Investigators at the HyperbaricMedicine Program Center (HMPC),Naval Medical Research Institute(NMRI) in Bethesda, Maryland, arein the process of expanding thelimited store of research on cardio-vascular functions in divers. On 21December 1982, under the direc-tion of CAPT E.T. Flynn and hisassociates, Dr. T. Doubt and Mr. D.LeGrys, nine Navy divers com-pleted the first series of dives in oneof the new research chambers atthe HMPC. The dive series, whichstarted 13 September 1982, wasdesigned to gauge cardiovascularfunction under pressure.

Cardiac output, or the amount ofblood the heart pumps each min-ute, is one of the major indicatorsof a diver's level of tolerance to ex-ercise. Until recently though, be-cause investigators lacked a practi-cal means of measuring cardiacoutput, research in this area hadbeen secondary to studies onpulmonary function in diving. How-ever, a new impedance device isnow available that makes it possi-ble to measure cardiac output con-veniently and without discomfort tothe subject.

The connection between cardiacoutput and divers' exercise toler-ance is an important one. The abili-ty to perform hard physical work isprimarily contingent on a goodsupply of oxygen brought to work-ing muscles through the bloodstream. If cardiac output decreases,the flow of blood to the muscles willdecrease and with it exercise toler-ance. Previous studies have shownthat heart rate decreases under in-creased pressure, especially if theoxygen partial pressure (P02) orthe density of the gas mixture in-creases. Researchers do not knowwhether cardiac output also fallsunder these conditions or if it isstabilized by a compensatory in-crease in the volume of bloodpumped per beat.

The primary purpose of this studywas to measure cardiac output dur-ing exercise under both high and

FACEPLATE 27

Table 1:Experimental Conditions of Cardiovascular Dive Series

low oxygen pressures. If cardiacoutput decreases under pressureand is sensitive to the changingP02 of the breathing mixture, amixture could be selected foroperational use that would minimizethis change and maximize exercisetolerance.

A secondary but equally impor-tant purpose of this study was touse the electrocardiogram to gaugethe effects of increased pressure ondivers. Several unexplained drown-ings of well-trained, physically fitdivers have occurred, which someresearchers believe may have beencaused by sudden irregularities intheir heart beats. Previous experi-mental observations indicate thatthis phenomenon does occur underincreased pressure. In the currentstudy, changes in the EKG read-ings of test divers were monitoredin great detail by incorporatingheavy work tasks and varied in-spired oxygen pressures in the ex-perimental design. As with the car-diac output tests, final data analysisshould facilitate selection of abreathing mixture that will minimizethe occurrence of irregular heartbeat during exercises at depth.

The experimental design includ-ed three depths and five gas mix-28 FACEPLATE

tures. It was intended to determinethe effects of hyperbaric air andnitrogen-oxygen mixes on EKG,heart rate, cardiac output and heartcontractile force (the rate andamount of force per beat with whichthe heart contracts). Experimentalconditions are listed in Table 1.

Nine active divers and threestandby personnel participated inthe inaugural dive series. Eachdiver exercised continuously for 20minutes on a bicycle ergometer atsimulated depths of 75 and 150fsw. At each depth the men breath-ed either air or a nitrogen-oxygenmixture containing normal surfacepressures of oxygen (0.21 ATM). Asimilar exercise using air at the sur-face level served as a control.

During the 20-minute period ofcontinuous bicycle exercise, theworkload was increased every fiveminutes, from light to nearly max-imal. Divers began the 30-minutetest with a 10-minute rest periodand advanced to four successivework levels at 75,100,150 and 200watts. At each level, investigatorsobtained measurements of lungventilation, oxygen consumption,carbon dioxide production, heartrate, EKG, cardiac output and heartcontractile force.

All the heart data were obtainedfrom impedance band electrodesplaced around the diver's neck andchest. In addition to monitoringEKG, these electrodes measure thechanging electrical resistance in thechest cavity of the heart's alter-nating contraction and relaxationcycle. This fluctuating resistanceprovides information about the rateof blood ejection from the heart andthe volume of blood that is ejectedper beat.

Researchers measured lung ven-tilation and oxygen consumption bycollecting the exhaled breathinggas in a large plastic bag. Itsvolume was measured in a spirom-eter and oxygen and carbon diox-ide concentrations were determin-ed with instruments located outsidethe chamber.

CAPT Flynn and associates ex-pect to complete the data analysisfor this series of dives in severalmonths. In the meantime, moredives are underway at the HMPC,for studies of maximum workcapacity under pressure and thenervous control of the heart beat.Each dive series should contributeto the vitally needed store of knowl-edge on cardiovascular function indiving.®

Winter 1983

photos byJOCS James Jones

Divers stand on the lightsupports during theconcrete pouringoperation.

UCT ONE

Divers Do Repairs*^H b. • A <* n •"n . i iv^ JL iB

By SN Terrie R. SiscoNaval Air Station, Bermuda

The Seabees of Underwater Con-struction Team (UCT) ONE haverecently been working on an under-water salvage and repair assign-ment at the Naval Air Station in St.David's, Bermuda.

Under the direction of LCDRKevin Gross and CE1 (DV) MichaelOliver, the team, which is home-based in Little Creek, Virginia, isrepairing runway lights at the NavalAir Station and doing some salvagework at the Navy Annex.

The runway light structures hadbeen worn by age and salt water.Because these lights help guide in-coming flights to safe landings, theymust function properly at all timesto insure smooth operations at theair station.

The UCT ONE divers used alarge Navy barge as a diving plat-form to support this operation. Theyrepaired the light supporters byusing a combination of fiberglassand plywood forms which theyplaced around steel "H" beamsthat they had driven into the oceanfloor. These fabrications provided aform for the concrete that was need-ed to strengthen the runway lightsupports.

"The first step in the repair wasto scrub rust and marine growth offthe light supports," Oliver said.' 'After we set up the new forms, wepumped in the concrete through ahose which was connected to aconcrete pump on the beach."Once the concrete hardened, theWinter 1983

AT N.A.S. BERMUDA'

forms were moved to Ferry Reachwhere they will be used in similarprocedures on the lights there.

The repair work is expected toadd several years of service life tothe lights.

At the Naval Annex the diversremoved old steel piles from anunused pier and boat house. "Wehad to cut the steel piles near thebottom using an electric cutting rigthat burns through the steel," Oliversaid. A crane was then used to re-move the rusty pieces of steel fromthe bottom.

Although the UCT ONE team hasbeen bothered by high winds andrough seas, they expect to meettheir deadline for this project, Oliveradded.

UCT ONE divers work to build theplywood forms around the runwaylight platform.

This clean-up operation will makethe once-hazardous Annex water-front more pleasant and safer forboaters and swimmers.

UCT ONE is one of two under-water construction teams. Under-water Construction Team TWO ishome-based in Port Hueneme, Cali-fornia. Although both teams aretrained to accomplish underwaterwork, they can carry out work in orout of the water.

The underwater constructionteams rely on diving, but perform amission that differs significantly fromthat of other Navy diving teams,such as fleet divers SEALS or Ex-plosive Ordnance Disposal Units,LCDR Gross, explained.

"Our primary mission is water-front construction. Diving is just ameans of accomplishing that mis-sion," he said.

Some construction divers aretrained to use explosives, whichpresent one of the greatest dangersSeabee divers face. However, noexplosives were used to accom-plish the work at N.A.S. Bermuda.

"When we do construction work,we rarely blast with explosives,"Oliver explained, "because thereare often safer, more practicalmethods of getting the job done."

The UCTs support military in-stallations around the world and areconstantly looking for motivatedSeabees interested in becoming apart of the team. Interested in-dividuals should refer to the NavalPersonnel Command Manual,Chapter 14.®

FACEPLATE 29

NEDUREPORTSEvaluation of Commercially Available,Wrist-Worn Depth Gauges.J. R. Middleton, J. F. Tobias, B.E. Webb.NEDU Report 2-82. AD No. A119834

Abstract:Twenty-eight models of commercially available

diver wrist-worn depth gauges were evaluated bythe Navy Experimental Diving Unit. All gauges weretested to determine accuracy, repeatability, water-tight integrity, thermal stability, durability, readabilityand luminescence capability. The depth gaugestested represented a comprehensive survey of theavailable market. Test results showed the vast ma-jority of the models to have an accuracy of ± 5 feetseawater (fsw). Under some test conditions, thisdegraded to ± 10 fsw or greater. Two samples ofeach model were tested. In several cases, gaugesmarketed by different manufacturers had the sameinternal mechanism. Given the repeatability, size ofthe gauges, cost and manufacturing techniquesavailable to the industry at the current time, nooperational difference was perceived in perfor-mance of any gauge evaluated. Once a calibrationcheck has been performed, all are consideredsatisfactory for U.S. Navy SCUBA use, with the ex-ception of special explosive ordnance disposal non-magnetic requirements. ®

Manned Testing of the Superlite 17BDiving Helmet Compared with the MK1 Mod S Diver's MaskH. J. C. Schwartz. NEDU Report 4-83

Abstract:The Diving Systems International Superlite 17B

helmet underwent manned performance testing at

a simulated depth of 850 feet of seawater duringa helium-oxygen saturation dive in the OceanSimulation Facility. The Navy MK 1 Mod S Diver'sMask was tested at the same time as a basis ofcomparison. Four subjects performed a total of 12graded exercises (50-150 watts) on a submergedbicycle ergometer. Breathing characteristics of bothUBAs were satisfactory and capable of supportingheavy exercise at 850 fsw. Maximum end tidalCO2 in mmHg at 150 watts was 55.2 + 5.9 in theSuperlite 17B in a 45° head-up position, 48.0 ±9.7 for the Superlite 17B in the 45° head-downposition, and 57.5 ± 8.2 for the MK 1 Mod SDiver's Mask in the 45° head-up position. Amicrophone manufactured by the U.S. Navy wassubstituted for the Superlite 17B microphone andprovided better communication at depth. ®

Manned Evaluation of MK 15 Closed-Circuit UBA Cannister Duration at13.4°C and 2°CF. R. Jaggears, Jr. NEDU Report No. 6-83

Abstract:The CO2 absorbent cannister duration of the

MK 15 closed-circuit Underwater Breathing Ap-paratus (UBA) was evaluated during moderate ex-ercise in cold water of 13.4°C and 2°C at 65 fsw.The Passive Diver Thermal Protection System(PDTPS) was worn during the study to evaluate thethermal protection it provides at 65 fsw. Resultsdemonstrate that the safe operational limit of theMK 15 UBA is 117.5 minutes at either 13.4°C or2°C and the PDTPS provides adequate thermalprotection to the diver operating in thesetemperatures at 65 fsw. <J£)

30 FACEPLATE Winter 1983

Unmanned Evaluation of the U.S. NavyMK16 First Article Closed-Circuit UBAJ. R. Middleton. NEDU Report 7-83

Abstract:In accordance with Naval Sea Systems Com-

mand Task No. 78-19, the Navy ExperimentalDiving Unit (NEDU) conducted unmanned perfor-mance testing on two first production article MK 16underwater breathing apparatus (UBA) in October1982.

Breathing resistance/breathing work and oxygen(02) set-point control studies were conducted inthe NEDU Experimental Diving Facility (EOF) on airand helium oxygen (He02) at depths to 300 fswusing a hyperbaric breathing simulator. In addition,carbon dioxide (CCy absorbent canister durationswere conducted on both air and He02 at depthsto 300 fsw in water temperatures ranging from 29to 90 °F.

Results of the unmanned performance testingrevealed the breathing resistance/breathing workand CO2 absorbent cannister durations wereslightly improved over the pre-production modeltested in January 1980. Initial testing of the MK 16first article 02 set-point control system showedboth units to be operating properly and withinestablished limits. However, each UBA 02 addsystem completely failed to calibrate in the latterstages of the evaluation. This failure requires thatfollow-on testing of the MK 16 O2 add system beconducted. (Editor's note: Since NEDU Report7-83, additional satisfactory testing has beencompleted.) ®

Evaluation of DIVEX AGA CommercialMaskJ. R. Middleton, W. A. Evans, M. G. Jantzen,R. C. Maulbeck. NEDU Report 9-83

Abstract:Between September 1982 and January 1983, an

open circuit demand full-face mask (FFM) wasevaluated in both manned and unmanned modeson air in accordance with NAVSEA Task No. 81 -3.The mask, designed for use with open circuit (0/C)SCUBA, is produced by AGA SPIRO of Lindingo,Sweden and modified for the umbilical supplied useby Divers Exchange (DIVEX) of Harvey, Louisiana.The purpose of the task was to provide unmannedperformance data and open water operational datato aid in the selection of a new FFM to replace thecurrent U.S. Navy Lightweight Mask (Jack Browne).

Unmanned breathing resistance, respiratorywork and umbilical pressure drop studies were con-ducted using a hyperbaric breathing simulator atdepths up to 198 fsw at simulated work rates rang-ing from light to extreme. The tests were conductedusing the two umbilical sizes currently found in thefleet.

In addition, open water manned testing was con-ducted on board an operational submarine tenderwhere human and operational factor considerationswere evaluated.

Results of unmanned testing revealed the DIVEXAGA commercial mask to perform adequately forshallow water diving operations not exceeding 66fsw with either 3/8 or 1/2 inch inside diameter (ID)umbilicals in both 200 and 300 ft. lengths tested.Breathing resistance and breathing work valueswere within the performance goals specified atdepths up to 60 fsw.

Manned testing showed the AGA mask to be alightweight, easy to use and maintain underwaterbreathing apparatus (UBA). The DIVEX AGA com-mercial mask requires human factors modificationsto the purge button, the communications electricalconnector, and to a device aiding valsalva andsubsequent NEDU testing before it could be con-sidered an adequate replacement for the currentUSN Jack Browne FFM. In addition, topside over-bottom pressure control is required when using theDIVEX AGA mask which will require operating pro-cedures and possibly equipment that is not usedwith the Jack Browne mask.®

FACEPLATEANNOUNCESLETTERS TOTHE EDITOR

FACEPLATE will be printing letters to theeditor beginning in the Spring 1984 issue.We welcome letters on all subjects. All let-ters should be signed though names willbe withheld on request. Letters publishedin FACEPLATE express the views andopinions of the writer and do not imply en-dorsement by the Navy.Address all letters to FACEPLATE, Super-visor of Diving (SEA OOC-3), Naval SeaSystems Command, Washington, D.C.20362.

Winter 1983 FACEPLATE 31

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TheOLD MASTER

Have you ever received longawaited new equipment or repairparts only to find that the materialwas damaged or deficient? This ex-perience can be frustrating. It canaffect your command's ability toperform its mission and even en-danger personnel, if the damageditem is installed in your existingequipment.

The Naval Supply System has aprogram for reporting these quali-ty deficient materials—Naval Sup-ply Instruction (NAVSUPINST)4440.120E. It is important for Navydivers to be familiar with it. Yourcommand's supply officer shouldhave a copy.

The quality deficient reports, bet-ter known as QDRs, normally applyto materials which have been ac-cepted into the supply system; how-ever, in cases of danger to person-nel, these procedures may be ap-plied to locally purchased non-standard materials.

Quality deficient materials areparts or equipment not suitable fortheir intended use due to deficien-

By TMCM (MDV) Bill Gholson

cy in design, material or procure-ment. These deficiencies can in-clude chemical, electrical, func-tional or physical discrepancies thatcause nonconformance with con-tractual or specification require-ments. It may also include defi-ciences attributable to ambiguous,improper, incorrect or omitted con-tractual requirements, including theprocurement document or its refer-enced documents that describe thetechnical requirements of thematerial, for example, the docu-mentation required for level one or02 cleaned material.

There are two QDR categories.Category 1 is a product quality defi-ciency which may cause death, in-jury or severe occupational illness;cause loss or damage to a weaponsystem; or directly restrict the com-bat readiness capabilities of the

using organization. When Category1 is assigned, a QDR message re-port is required within 24 hours afterdiscovery of the deficiency follow-ed by a completed SF 368. Cate-gory 2 is a product quality deficien-cy which does not meet the criteriaset forth for Category 1. When aCategory 2 deficiency is identified,a QDR (form SF 368) must be sub-mitted within five working days.

NAVSUPINST 4440.120E usesterms familiar to supply corps per-sonnel and is necessarily complex,but don't let that throw you. Yourjob at the deckplates level is torecognize the problem and thenfollow up by notifying responsibleindividuals within your chain ofcommand and the supply depart-ment. A divisional training sessionwith a guest speaker from yoursupply department may be theeasiest way to get up to speed onQDRs. We all need to understandand use the system. If utilized pro-perly, QDRs will make our jobs asNavy Divers more productive, effi-cient, and above all, more safe.££

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVYNaval Sea Systems Command

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