46 CFR § 197.346 - Diver's equipment.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s197.346"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 197.346 - Diver's equipment."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "197.346"
section_name: "Diver's equipment."
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"
---


# 197.346 Diver's equipment.

(a) Each diver using SCUBA must have—

(1) Self-contained underwater breathing equipment including—

(i) A primary breathing gas supply with a cylinder pressure gage readable by the diver during the dive; and

(ii) A diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply provided by—

(A) A manual reserve (J valve); or

(B) An independent reserve cylinder connected and ready for use;

(2) A face mask;

(3) An inflatable floatation device;

(4) A weight belt capable of quick release;

(5) A knife;

(6) Swim fins or shoes;

(7) A diving wristwatch; and

(8) A depth gage.

(b) Each diver using a heavyweight diving outfit must—

(1) Have a helmet group consisting of helmet, breastplate, and associated valves and connections;

(2) Have a diving dress group consisting of a basic dress that encloses the body (except for head and hands) in a tough, waterproof cover, gloves, shoes, weight assembly, and knife;

(3) Have a hose group consisting of the breathing gas hose and fittings, the control valve, the lifeline, communications cable, and a pneumofathometer; and

(4) Be provided with a helmet cushion and weighted shoes.

(c) Each surface-supplied dive operation using a heavyweight diving outfit must have an extra breathing gas hose with attaching tools available to the standby diver.

(d) Each diver using a lightweight diving outfit must have—

(1) A safety harness;

(2) A weight assembly capable of quick release;

(3) A mask group consisting of a lightweight mask and associated valves and connections;

(4) A diving dress group consisting of wet or dry diving dress, gloves, shoes or fins, and knife; and

(5) A hose group consisting of the breathing gas hose and fittings, the control valve, the lifeline, communications cable, and a pneumofathometer (if the breaking strength of the communications cable is at least equal to that required for the lifeline, the communications cable can serve as the lifeline).

(e) Each surface-supplied air dive operation within the no-decompression limits and to depths of 130 fsw or less must have a primary breathing gas supply at the dive location.

(f) Each surface-supplied dive operation outside the no-compression limits, deeper than 130 fsw, or using mixed-gas as a breathing mixture must have at the dive location—

(1) A primary breathing gas supply; and

(2) A secondary breathing gas supply.

(g) Each diver diving outside the no-decompression limits, deeper than 130 fsw, or using mixed-gas must have a diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply except when using a heavy-weight diving outfit or when diving in a physically confining area.