Commercial and Military Diving in the United States Today

The history of man's endeavors in diving is traced from its inception several thousand years ago through the introduction and validation of saturation diving techniques. Today both military and commercial divers are capable of diving to deep depths for unlimited bottom times using saturation diving systems. An overview of the varied diving missions routinely performed by the military and commercial sectors is presented in three broad categories--unique military missions requiring highly specialized breathing equipment, relatively shallow surface supported diving operations and saturation diving. Analysis reveals a very limited need for deep diving in the military whereas the commercial diving sector is thriving in meeting the demands for saturation diving in support of the offshore petroleum industry. A review of the types of underwater breathing apparatus used by conventional and saturation divers today is offered as well as an assessment of future trends to satisfy the deep diving needs of the 21st century.