In June 2016, the ADCI Board of Directors formally ratified an audit initiative for all General Members and Associate Member Schools who have not previously undergone an ADCI 3rd party audit.  

One item which has consistently come up in pre-audit and post-audit meetings is the proper procedures for testing, inspection, and maintenance of life support equipment, such as breathing hoses (deck whips and umbilicals), pressure vessels, and depth gauges. Identified were inconsistencies and a general lack of knowledge on this subject, as well as specific manufacturers’ requirements.

The selected approach to address this issue is to focus on a specific equipment item, the first of which will be diving umbilicals, and provide a detailed identification on all facets of testing and maintenance.  

The ADCI’s Safety, Technical, and Engineer Diving Committees have been tasked to reach out to industry to:

·         Identify what umbilical packages are in use throughout the industry, including components (hoses, fittings, etc.) as well as assembly methods.

·         Identify what testing, inspection, and maintenance procedures are in use.

·         Identify recommended umbilical testing, inspection and testing procedures, as provided by hose/umbilical manufacturers.

The purpose and goal of this industry outreach will be the eventual development of recommended testing, inspection, and maintenance guidelines (specific to the umbilical’s construction and configuration) for inclusion into the ADCI International Consensus Standards for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations.