TRAINEE GAS SUPERVISOR EXAM

Questions with asterisks represent a high possibility of being asked in the exam papers.

1. *** Gas manufacturers generally specify their mixture to an accuracy of the minor
component of...?
0·5 %.

2. Which is the heaviest gas?

a) CO, Carbon Monoxide
b) N2, Nitrogen
c) CO2, Carbon Dioxide
d) H2S, Hydrogen Sulphide
Carbon Dioxide.

3. What is the lowest % of Oxygen in a DDC that will support combustion?

8 %.

4. Diving plant and equipment test certificates are normally in force for?
2 years. (There are many exceptions though)

5. There must be enough room for two adults to lie down in a 2 compartment DDC that s
over 1.75 Metres internal diameter - if continuous occupancy under pressure will be...?
12 hours or more.

6. During saturation storage, the ppO2 must be...?

Kept constant - at the Company’s designated setting.

7. How much soda lime is required for a saturation at 90 msw for 10 days including deco
- with 6 divers inside?
6 kilograms / diver / day (regardless of depth) = 6 x 6 x 10 = 360 kgs.

8. Unconsciousness occurs when the ppO2 reaches?

150 mb or 150,000 ppm or 15 %.

9. A hyperbaric fire extinguisher cylinder should be filled with...?

A low % Heliox mix; e.g. 2/98. (To 1 litre of emulsion add fresh water, replace cap and
pressurise to 200 bar using 2/98.)

10. A paramagnetic Oxygen analyser works by...?

The principle of using a reflected light beam.

11. Emergency breathing gas must be provided for each chamber occupant via the BIBS,
for a minimum of?
4 hours.

12. What is usually the first filter in line in a DDC regeneration system?
Soda Lime.

13. What is the maximum permitted level of Carbon Monoxide in a DDC?

0·02 mb or 20 ppm.

14. What is the most important precaution you should take when connecting a new gas
supply to the chamber control panel?
Analyse the gas before use.

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15. After a pulmonary barotrauma, a diver may not return to diving before...?
At least 3 months after full recovery.

16. A diver who surfaces uncontrollably from 36 msw, should be recompressed to...?
18 msw, or 60 fsw on Oxygen.

17. Any flexible hose connected to an Oxygen quad should be...?

An Oxygen approved and O2 cleaned Hose. e.g.; Synflex 3R80 - 04 or Orange
Synflex 3E80 - 04.

18. * The minimum compressed air required for DDC use in surface oriented diving is...?
Sufficient compressed air to pressurise both DDC locks to the maximum possible
treatment depth, plus sufficient air for three complete surface decompressions.

19. With a DDC in use, the medical lock should be...?

Kept at atmospheric pressure with both doors closed.

20. Decompression illness must be reported to?

The OIM (Offshore Installation Manager) or the Vessel Master.

21. What is the cylinder colour coding for diving Oxygen?

Black body with white top.

22. How many qualified persons must be in the saturation control at all times?
Two.

23. ** Depth gauges must be tested in accordance with...?

BS 1750.

24. Saturation chamber environmental temperatures are...?

24 - 32 °C.

25. *** What is the colour coding for Carbon Dioxide gas cylinders?
Black body with grey top.

26. After mixing gas, how long should we wait before analysing?
6 hours.

27. What voltage should be used for underwater electrical equipment?

24 volts DC

28. Which of the following items is prohibited inside the DDC?

a) Toothpaste
b) Metal mirrors
c) Sugar granules
d) Tego
c) sugar granules

29. How many times more dangerous is alternating current than direct current?
5 times more dangerous.

30. If a panel gauge has an accuracy of + or – 0·25 %; what should its error be when
reading full scale at 400 msw?
400 x 0·25 ÷ 100 = 1 msw.

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31. In the chamber life support system, how is a sudden loss of gas prevented in the
circuit from the chamber to the life support system?
By the use and installation of a Flow - Fuse.

32. When using pure Oxygen or Oxygen rich mixtures, how would you reduce the risk of
fire or explosion?
Decant before pumping.

33. Gas cylinders should be marked in accordance with...?

BS 1319.

34. What do the letters J.I.C. mean?

Joint Industrial Council.

35. What is the recommended waiting time before flying after Air (Nitrox) Saturation?
DMAC-07.
48 hours to a minimum aircraft height of 2,000 feet.
72 hours unlimited height.
Also, the divers must remain close to the chamber for a minimum of 36 hours.

36. Your diver is suffering from hypercapnia; you advise the bellman to?
Put the diver on BIBS.

37. *** When a saturation is finished, the HSE (Health & Safety Executive) recommends that
divers have how many days off (before saturation diving again)...?
Time off is equal to the length of the time in saturation.

38. How should bell winches be tested?

The primary brake dynamically and the secondary brake statically.

39. Your diver is apparently unconscious outside the bell. What would you do first?
Tell the bellman to switch to onboard gas.

40. Your bellman has just rescued the bell diver who is not breathing and has no pulse -
What would you tell the bellman to do?
Give mouth-to-mouth and then if no pulse present, continue with CPR.

41. How many DP Positioning Reference Systems should be utilised during diving
operations?
Two out of three with one back up. (the taut wire should be on line)

42. The first action a bellman should do when told to lockout to rescue a diver is to...?
Switch to onboard gas.