This notice is to serve as a reminder on the importance for routine maintenance and inspection of diving helmets and masks.

Helmets and masks and their associated diver-carried regulators are components of a critical life- support system that, if functioning properly, can expose the diver to significant hazards. As such, all helmets and masks and their associated diver-carried regulators shall be maintained and inspected in strict compliance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Suitable logs shall be maintained to reflect compliance.

The importance for adhering to these strict guidelines is illustrated by the past fatalities that have resulted due to poor maintenance. It is recommended that contractors and individual helmet owners perform a detailed check and inspection of all helmet components prior to them being put on line for use.

It is also encouraged that company checklists for helmets and masks be specifically designed for the particular helmet or mask to be used. Please take the opportunity to check for any updates issued by helmet or mask manufacturers, so that company personnel are current with any and all issues associated with this vital piece of life support equipment. This information can be obtained usually from the manufacturer’s web site. Commercial diving equipment vendors are also another excellent resource for helmet or mask informational updates. Contractors should have helmet maintenance and inspection documentation at the job site for review.

The job is never too important to make the inspection and maintenance of life- support equipment the number one priority, when approaching commercial diving operations. Lessons learned have shown us what horrible outcomes can result from not making helmet maintenance an all important priority.