Commercial diving/Basic design, use and operating principles of surface plant and equipment for diving support

Relevance: Scuba diving, Surface supplied diving, Surface oriented wet bell diving.

Required outcomes:
 * 1) Describe the safe use and operation of LP compressors including volume receivers and pressure ratings
 * 2) Describe the safe use and operation of HP compressors and filling of HP cylinders, including scuba and storage assets
 * 3) Discuss the safe handling and use of high pressure storage cylinders, tubes and quads
 * 4) Discuss the safe and effective use of hydraulic power packs
 * 5) Discuss the safe and effective use of dredging and airlifting equipment
 * 6) Describe the safe, effective and appropriate use of winches, cranes and lifting equipment including chain blocks, wire rope and slings
 * 7) Discuss the use of hot water systems

Dredging and airlifting equipment

 * Suction dredging
 * Airlift

Lifting equipment and basic rigging
Lifting operations are a common component of diving operations, and occur during transportation of material between the storage place and place where it is used, and during the processing of materials and the execution of work. A lifting operation involves the lifting and lowering of a load, which is the item or items being lifted, and which could include a person or people. A lifting operation may be done manually or using lifting equipment. Lifting, holding, putting down, carrying or moving by human strength and dexterity may be referred to as "manual handling of loads". Both manual and mechanical lifting operations can put workers at risk of acute or chronic injury or disability.

Lifting accessories are components or equipment which are not part of the lifting machinery, and are used to assist in holding or stabilising the load, and are used between the machinery and the load or on the load itself, or which are intended to be an integral part of the load to facilitate lifting. These accessories include chains, ropes, slings, cargo nets, pallets, hoppers, shackles, eyebolts, spreaders, lifting frames and vacuum lifting devices.

The load includes any material and people that are lifted or lowered by the lifting equipment. Loads may be provided with attachment points for lifting, which may be considered to be part of the load. Examples of loads include:


 * loose bulk materials
 * sacks, bags, pallets other containers containing loose or packaged materials
 * discrete items (such as a large concrete block)
 * machinery and equipment, including any permanently attached lifting eyes