Training progression for Navy Divers

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Can anyone (preferably Navy diver) explain to me how the training progression works for Navy divers? My understanding is the Special Forces community (SEALS as well as other frogmen) are given basic open circuit training which would be equal to an Open Water course. After that they are taken through rebreather training instead of decompression diving. Navy deep divers (hard had etc) have thirteen weeks of training which includes decompression diving to Hypoxic trimix level?

If someone could explain the training progression and how Navy breaks down its curriculum that would be a huge help.

Thanks guys.

 

[CuzzA]

A simple Google search reveals the answers you seek. And it's pretty clear from the outset that there is no comparison for Navy dive training to a recreational open water course.

 

[RainPilot]

This video is quite good on the progression for combat divers. It's long though.



As far as the EOD and working divers are concerned I haven't seen anything about that.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

A simple Google search reveals the answers you seek. And it's pretty clear from the outset that there is no comparison for Navy dive training to a recreational open water course.

At entry level, they both should train divers to dive with open circuit within no decompression limits (is what I was referring to.)

 

[mmadiver]

All communities start with OC and progress into more advanced methods and equipment. The Navy does not do planned decompression dives on OC, so all mixed gas diving is done on CCR or hardhat.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

All communities start with OC and progress into more advanced methods and equipment. The Navy does not do planned decompression dives on OC, so all mixed gas diving is done on CCR or hardhat.

So there is no open circuit "decompression diving" in the Navy?

 

[mmadiver]

So there is no open circuit "decompression diving" in the Navy?

You are not allowed to conduct "planned" decompression diving in the Navy outside of extreme circumstances. It is permitted in certain situations, to save life, etc, but requires approvals.

Diving in the Navy is entirely mission oriented (salvage, deep water rescue, mine clearance, reconnaissance, etc) and generally has specific diving equipment designed for that purpose. Why conduct decompression diving on OC when you can do it more safely on a CCR, or better yet with surface supplied hard hat? However, OC diving does have it's place as an expedient and convenient tool to get light jobs done quickly without all the logistics of the other modes.

 

[sealark]

I went through 6 months first class dive school in 1966 and from what I read it has changed drastically from my time. 130 ft was the max depth for open circuit. we did chamber dives wet and dry to 185 on air and 320 on HEO2. double hose regulators MK-5 air and MK-5mod1 for HEO2 dives. No rebreathers were even around. The MK-5 mod 1 was a re breather of such using Barlyme.