46 CFR § 197.342 - Buoyancy-changing devices.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s197.342"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 197.342 - Buoyancy-changing devices."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "197.342"
section_name: "Buoyancy-changing devices."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "V"
subchapter_name: "MARINE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS"
part_number: "197"
part_name: "GENERAL PROVISIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 1509; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703, 6101; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1."
regulatory_source: "CGD 76-009, 43 FR 53683, Nov. 16, 1978, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "197"
---


# 197.342 Buoyancy-changing devices.

(a) A dry suit or other buoyancy-changing device not directly connected to the exhaust valve of the helmet or mask must have an independent exhaust valve.

(b) When used for SCUBA diving, a buoyancy-changing device must have an inflation source separate from the breathing gas supply.