SCHOOL FOR DIVERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 561, 14 January 1929, Page 14

SCHOOL FOR DIVERS

U.S.A. NAVY INSTITUTION SUBMARINE RESCUE WORK Aiming to obtain a suificient number of divers and to familiarise its men with the effect of diving on the human body, the United States Navy Department has opened a diving school at Washingtbn, D.C. Few occupations entail more risks than diving; a careless or inexperienced diver may find himself a victim of caisson disease or “bends” and through it meet his death. The school is commanded by Lieutenant Hartley, formerly in charge of the United States Ship Falcon, the submarine rescue and salvage ! ship, says the “New York Times.” He has six assistants and instructors in i the course, which usually takes about ! six months. Classes at present average about 25 members. While at the school, divers are taught the effects of submersion on the respiratory system, methods in avoiding and dealing with caisson disease and how to qualify for deep-sea diving. Candidates for the school must i comply with strict qualifications. In addition to having served one enlist-1 ment in the navy, a better than average physical condition is re- | quired. Much depends upon the age ! and degree of fatness of the candidate, since it has been established that stout and medium stout men are more prone to bends than those who are small and wiry, and who are between 20 and 30 years old. Physical examinations are rigid, even slight ear trouble, colds, or’ artery trouble being reasons for elimination. Five submarine rescue ships have been fitted out or authorised, and, after completing the course, 12 divers —three master divers and nine firstclass divers —will be assigned to each ; ship. | First-class divers are those who have proved their ability to dive to the i maximum depth to which submarines i can submerge. Master divers must not only qualify as first-class divers, | but must be able to take command of | any kind of diving work.