6 TROOP SBS // HANDBOOK // DIVING // UNIT DISTRIBUTION

Diving

REF 6TP/TRG/006

Maritime infiltration, beach landings and diving: planning, equipment, formations, communications and the dive sequence.

01MARITIME INFILTRATION

Diving typically uses closed-circuit dive equipment to infiltrate a beach landing site (BLS), or another maritime target, undetected. Other uses are possible.

Diving, particularly in low visibility, presents a number of dangers to the individual and the unit. Proper use of equipment and tactics requires extensive SOPs. The considerations are:

01Planning, movement and orders
02Proper equipment and usage
03Depth considerations
04Diving calculations, decompression and its effects
05Underwater SUT (formations)
06Underwater communications
02UNDERWATER FORMATIONS
STAGING POINTENTER WATER. INWARDS FACING CIRCLE.'OK' IN TURN, LEAD DIVER TO LAST MANLEAD DIVERFILEMOST MOVEMENT BETWEEN TWO POINTSFOR EXAMPLE, BOAT TO STOP SHORTSTOP SHORT (SS)LINEFINAL APPROACH, SS ONTO TARGETBLS / TARGETBEACH LANDING SITEDIRECTION OF TRAVEL
Two main formations are used. File for most movement between two points, such as from the boat to the stop short. Line for the final approach, from the stop short onto the target.
03PLANNING AND ORDERS
A lead diver is assigned to the troop or unit. They are responsible for planning the dive, and issue the orders as part of a dive brief.
LEAD DIVER PLANSRoute. Waypoints. Depth. Formations. Gas.
DIVE BRIEFTo include: waypoints, depths, required gas and equipment.
04ISSUED DIVE EQUIPMENT
WETSUIT
DIVE GOGGLE
REBREATHERClosed-circuit dive equipment.
DRY BAGStores all the equipment required once back on land.
DIVE COMPUTER
ATAKAndroid device. Assists with navigation.
NVGWhen diving at night.
IR STROBEWhen diving at night.
CHEMLIGHT (GREEN)When diving at night. Generally used at very low depths.
05UNDERWATER COMMUNICATIONS
Radio and text communications are not available underwater. Even where they are technically available in game, their use is forbidden.
BEFORE THE DIVEThe troop or unit switches to the dive channel. The lead diver gives the order to 'Enter water' over it.
IN THE WATERNo radio or text. The lead diver signals 'OK', and everyone signals 'OK' in turn, from the lead diver to the last man.
06DIVE SEQUENCE
  1. 01
    The lead diver issues the dive brief.To include: waypoints, depths, required gas and equipment.
  2. 02
    Gear up.
  3. 03
    Gear inspection.Lead diver, and front and rear 'buddy check'.
  4. 04
    Dive computer turned on, and checked for errors.
  5. 05
    The troop or unit switches to the dive channel on their radios.
  6. 06
    Self equipment checks.
  7. 07
    At the staging point, the lead diver orders 'Enter water' over the dive channel.The troop or unit enters the water and forms an inwards facing circle.
  8. 08
    The lead diver signals 'OK'.Everyone signals 'OK' in turn, from the lead diver to the last man.
  9. 09
    The dive commences, as per the dive brief.
ABBREVIATIONS
ATAKAndroid Team Awareness Kit
BLSBeach landing site
IRInfrared
NVGNight vision goggles
SSStop short
SOPStandard operating procedure