scope:

This instruction applies to all AF divers (active duty, Air Reserve Component, AF civilian personnel, and contractors when stipulated in their contracts) involved in training, operational, or administrative aspects of AF diving. This instruction does not address off-duty diving by AF military or civilian personnel, emergency underwater egress training, medical hyperbaric treatment facilities, nor emergency services conducting surface water rescue without the aid of a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA).

Purpose.

This instruction establishes AF/A3S as the AF proponent for diving matters. It provides broad guidance for AF diving programs to standardize dive qualification and requalification standards, increase mission effectiveness and safety, and ensure compliance with Department of Defense (DoD) reporting requirements.

Per DoDI 3224.04, the Secretary of the Navy, as the DoD Executive Manager for Joint Military Diving Technology and Training (MDT&T), is the DoD military diving proponent and has primary responsibility for developing dive procedures and equipment that are of common interest to the DoD. Per Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction (OPNAVINST) 3150.27C, Navy Diving Policy and Joint Military Diving Technology and Training Program, the Secretary of the Navy delegates the responsibilities for the Single Manager of Joint MDT&T to the Director of the Undersea Warfare Division, who further delegates the technical authority for Joint MDT&T to Naval Sea Systems Command, Office of the Director of Ocean Engineering, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (NAVSEA 00C). The primary guidance for military dive operations is contained in SS521-AG-PRO-010, U.S. Navy Diving Manual (Navy Diving Manual), United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Manual 350-4 Volume 1, Special Operations Forces Baseline Interoperable Combat Diving Training Standards (USSOCOM 350-4V1 - contact Headquarters, Air Force Special Operations Command Standards & Evaluations office for access), and OPNAVINST 3150.27.

This instruction implements how and when the AF uses proponent's guidance and when the AF deviates from it.