Submarine Appliances And Their Uses
Deep Sea Diving, &c., &c.

If thé diver has any difficulty in getting under water, or should he be blown up from the bottom, the attendant must use his discretion and ease or stop the pump, until the surplus air has been got rid of. If the diver cannot help himself, the outlet valve and tap on the helmet must be opened, or the cuff pulled open, so as to let the excess air escape. Be careful to have the pipe and rope well in hand so that the diver cannot drop down suddenly. If the diver, on coming up, has a number of turns round the shot-rope, and it is difficult to take up the slack of the air pipe and breast-rope, it is better to pull up shot-rope, air pipe, and breast-rope, all together. Diver coming up.—When the diver comes up, the front glass should be at once removed. Il he is soon going down again, he can have his wrist rings removed, and can take the weight off his body by leaning forward and resting the front weight on the gunwale or ladder ; if he is to cease work or remain up a considerable time, the weights should be removed and the diver assisted into the boat and his air pipe and breast-rope disconnected. He can then sit down, and his helmet should be removed. If he has ceased work, the waist-belt and boots are next removed, then the overall dress (if worn). I he breast-plate bands should then be removed, the thumb-screws at the junction of the bands being unscrewed first ; the bands being removed, the outer collar should be taken off with care to prevent the threads of the studs tearing the edges of the holes in the indiarubber in getting the collar over tne screws ; the breast-plate and dress are then removed, the assistant’s thumbs being used to enable the diver to with- draw his hands from the cuffs; the shoulder pad and other clothes are then taken off. After the day’s work is over, the instructions as to care and management of gear must be carefully carried out before stowing it away. Signals between Divers and Attendants. Prom Diver to Attendant. On Breast-rope : — i pull means ... “I am all right.” 2 pulls mean “ Send me a slate.’’ 3 pulls mean ... “ Send me a rope.” 4 pulls mean ... “I am coming up.” On Air Pipe :— i pull means ... “ Less air (ease pump).” 2 pulls mean ... “More air (heave faster).” 3 pulls mean ... “ Take up slack pipe and breast rope. 4 pulls mean ... “ Haul me up.” Working Signals or Bells. On Breast-rope : — i bell means “ Hold on. ” 2 bells mean “ Pull up.” 3 bells mean “ Lower. ” 40