Life Support Technician

Basic Function:

The life-support technician is utilized in the saturation diving mode and reports directly to the diving supervisor. The basic function of the position is to monitor the life support systems of divers during diving operations.

Qualifications:

- Conduct such operations as may be required or directed by the Dive Supervisor.

- Possess the knowledge and ability to perform the duties listed below within the scope of the assignment.

- This knowledge and skill will have been obtained by a combination of on-site experience and training.

Maintain a personal log book that includes the details of their work experience and qualifications.

Responsibilities and Duties:

- The duties and responsibilities of life-support technicians will vary depending on the diving mode employed, but at a minimum they shall:

- Control and constantly monitor the hyperbaric environment and system in which divers live while saturation diving.

- Maintain proper atmosphere (e.g., correct levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases) and pressure in the saturation complex according to employer’s policy and as directed by the Diving Supervisor.

- Maintain proper environment (i.e., temperature and humidity) at levels suitable for current depth as the diver’s comfort indicates.

- Ensure all gases to be used during the dive have been properly analyzed and have been receipted for and logged in before being placed online.

- Decompress divers according to established schedules as directed by the Diving Supervisor.

- Maintain communication with divers.

- Calibrate, at regular intervals, all monitoring instruments that require, by their design, periodic calibration, or at any time the accuracy of the instrument is suspect.

- Maintain an accurate record of events, in the form of a saturation log, pertaining to the diving system. All readings taken and actions during the shift must be entered in the log. The information in the saturation log shall include:

- Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide readings.

- Depth changes and temperature and humidity readings.

- Gas changes and BIBS usage details.

- Carbon Dioxide scrubber changes.

- Medical lock runs, with record of items locked in or out.

- Individual diver’s sleep cycles.

- Showers, flushes and drains.

- Calibration of instruments.

- Bell on and off systems and crew TUPs.

- Changes to settings on the environmental control system and record of equipment status.

- Chamber hygiene an disinfection and diver’s ear prophylaxis.

- Any event outside normal chamber routines.

- Any articles entering the system.

- Maintain the diver’s requirements within the diving complex. All matters that concern the diver’s safety and well-being are promptly carried out. These include such items as food, drinks, entertainment, personal hygiene, laundry and sanitary matters, etc.

- Be aware at all times of all items being sent in or out of the system, and supervise all such operations.

- Prevent prohibited items from entering the system.

- Advise the diving supervisor of the diver’s status at regular intervals or as conditions dictate.

- Be alert for emergencies.

- Keep traffic in the control van to a minimum.

- Maintain adequate supply of the correct breathing mixture to the diver.

- Maintain correct supply over-pressure for depth and apparatus.

- Have standby banks ready.

- Follow the tables in use correctly and accurately.

- Switch breathing mixtures at the proper time and depth.

- Record gas consumption data as directed.

- Assist in the maintenance of all diving equipment.

- Assist in the training of Diver Tenders and new personnel.

- Report a potentially unsafe situation or condition to the Dive Supervisor.

- Maintain certification in First Aid and CPR, and have a thorough working knowledge of emergency procedures and the diagnosis and treatment of decompression sickness.

Be aware at all times of the actions carried out by personnel temporarily under his or her supervision. The life-support technician must be informed beforehand of any activity to be carried out on the diving complex, its support equipment, or in the near vicinity by other personnel.

Measurements of Performance:

- Level of dependability and availability

- Follows instructions from the Dive Supervisor/Superintendent

- Knowledge of working as a Diver

Overall attitude while performing job duties.

Educational Requirements:

- Education and Training

- Association of Diving Contractors (ADC) accredited school

- Successful completion of the ADCI life-support technician exam

- TWIC, SafeGulf, Rigger, Water Survival, First Aid & CPR, Life Support Technician Certification

- Experience:

- 100 field days as an Assistant Life Support Technician