Surface supplied diving
As surface-supplied diving is called the diving with tube-based air supply and modern equipment . The method is also known as umbilical cord diving or simply air tube diving ( hookah diving , sometimes nargileh or narghile diving ) and is the continuation of traditional helmet diving with modern, sometimes simpler means. It is mainly used in the field of professional diving in:
- Deep water, saturation diving and offshore areas, between diving bell and diver
- in the river area during industrial gold mining with diver-assisted suction lines
- when working in swimming pools, tanks, sewage treatment plants, etc.
- in the port area, for example from small ships, to control the underwater hull, etc.
- during construction work under water.
Simple equipment consists of a compressor or standing cylinder battery on land, a long air hose and regulators . In addition, there is the normal diving equipment such as diving suit , diving weights , mask , fins, etc. With older two-hose machines, the regulator is worn on the chest, with diving helmets this is usually not necessary. At greater depths, a bail-out bottle or a rebreather is added. This should enable a safe emergency ascent , with or without decompression , or a return to the diving bell if the air supply is interrupted .
Although the diver is usually alone in the water with surface assisted diving, he is not considered a solo diver in the narrower sense, as there is a fixed connection - often with voice transmission - to the surface, where a backup diver is waiting to provide assistance in an emergency.