Surface-supplied diving – Safe method for working underwater

Bathing raft Tiefenbrunnen lido

In surface-supplied diving, the diver is supplied with breathing gas via a hose connection from the surface (e.g., from the shore or a ship). This method is mainly used in commercial and industrial applications and offers important advantages over autonomous scuba diving.

benefits

  • Unlimited breathing gas supply: The connection to the surface enables longer operations and a continuous supply of air.
  • High level of safety: Constant contact with the surface allows monitoring and quick assistance in an emergency.
  • Efficient communication: Voice connections between divers and surface teams facilitate coordination.


Regulations in Switzerland
(Regulations Federal Council Ordinance, Consultation and Control Suva)

Professional diving is regulated at the legal level by the provisions of the Ordinance on the Safety of Employees Working in Overpressure Conditions and is subject to supervision by Suva (advice and control). The ordinance defines binding safety standards to minimize risks:

  • Equipment: Clear requirements apply to technology and redundant systems for breathing gas supply.
  • Risk analysis: Before each operation, hazards such as currents, limited visibility, or ship traffic must be assessed.
  • Training: Employers may only employ suitably qualified personnel.
  • Health: Professional divers must undergo regular medical examinations to prove their fitness for work.


These measures are intended to reduce the risk of accidents and protect the health of divers in the long term.

Legal framework
Working underwater is considered to be work involving particular hazards.
The Accident Insurance Act (UVG) contains basic provisions on occupational safety and health protection and applies to companies (relationship between employer and employee). Various ordinances under the UVG contain specific provisions, such as the Construction Work Ordinance (BauAV) and the Ordinance on the Safety of Employees Working in Overpressure Environments.
These ordinances under the UVG represent rules of construction engineering and do not apply to persons outside companies at first glance. Persons who disregard the rules of construction engineering may be liable to prosecution under the Criminal Code (StGB).

There are strict legal requirements:

  • Awarding contracts to companies (businesses): Contracting authorities must ensure that contracted companies comply with all regulations and possess the necessary qualifications.
  • Assignment to individuals: Even if they are not subject to the UVG, compliance with the provisions is mandatory.
  • Consequences of violations: Failure to comply with building regulations may result in criminal and civil liability (StGB Art. 229).

    Publication reference: Suva, Criminal liability in the event of accidents at work, www.suva.ch/66136.d.

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Bathing raft Tiefenbrunnen lido

On behalf of the City of Zurich, Office for Building Construction, we have extended the Zurich-Tiefenbrunnen lido with another bathing raft to offer bathers additional space and comfort.

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Wet bell (Wetbell)

We now have a wetbell, which offers maximum safety and enables us to work quickly.

We operate a wet diving bell to ensure diving safety and efficient work at great depths. This state-of-the-art system is stationed on a pontoon and monitors all diving operations, including breathing gas changes, from the surface.

The Wetbell system is built in accordance with international diving regulations and is operated in accordance with SUVA regulations. All important system components are redundant. In particular, these are the cable winches for raising and lowering the system, the hydraulic circuits, the hot water heaters and the breathing gas systems. Three powerful 60kVA generators are used for the power requirements.

The wet diving bell is used exclusively in combination with our decompression chamber. This life-saving emergency system guarantees first aid in the event of a diving accident. All our divers are regularly trained in the use of the decompression chamber. At the same time, a strong rescue concept with on-call diving doctors, ambulances and helicopters is in place for such deep dives.

Functional concept

The divers equip themselves in the changing room for the upcoming dive. They then enter the wetbell, which at this point is firmly positioned on the pontoon. The breathing gas system is connected to the

Diving helmet and the hot water heater are connected to the diving suit. All system components are checked. A swivel arm then moves the diving bell over the edge of the pontoon into the water. The Wetbell dives to the desired working depth. The divers leave the diving bell and carry out the work to be done under high time pressure. Once the depth-dependent diving time has been reached, the divers climb back into the wetbell and return to the surface.

For more information, see the blog "Diving work - safety as top priority"

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