46 CFR § 197.432 - Surface-supplied air diving.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s197.432"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 197.432 - Surface-supplied air diving."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "197.432"
section_name: "Surface-supplied air diving."
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"
---
# 197.432 Surface-supplied air diving.
The diving supervisor shall insure that—
(a) Surface-supplied air diving is conducted at depths less than 190 fsw, except that dives with bottom times of 30 minutes or less may be conducted to depths of 220 fsw;
(b) Each diving operation has a primary breathing gas supply;
(c) Each diver is continuously tended while in the water;
(d) When a diver is in a physically confining space, another diver is stationed at the underwater point of entry and is line-tending the diver;
(e) For dives deeper than 130 fsw or outside the no-decompression limits—
(1) Each diving operation has a secondary breathing gas supply;
(2) A decompression chamber is ready for use at the dive location;
(3) A diving stage is used except when a bell is provided;
(4) A bell is used for dives with an in-water decompression time greater than 120 minutes, except when the diver is using a heavy-weight diving outfit or is diving in a physically confining space;
(5) A separate dive team member tends each diver in the water;
(6) A standby diver is available while a diver is in the water; and
(7) Each diver has a diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply except when using a heavy-weight diving outfit or when diving in a physically confining space; and
(f) The surface-supplied air diver has the equipment required by § 197.346 (b) or (d).