Are breath-hold dives allowed?

• A. Breath-hold dives are allowed as long as equipment is available.
• B. Breath-hold diving is not normally executed where diving equipment is available; all breath-hold dives must be approved by the CO and supervised by a qualified diving supervisor; all breath-hold divers will be surface tended.
• C. They are prohibited unless performed by a commander who approves it in writing.
• D. They are allowed if you dive with a buddy.

Answer: (B)

Breath-hold dives are treated as high-risk activities that require formal authorization and supervision, especially when diving equipment is available. In this setting, such dives are not performed casually; they must be approved by the commanding officer and supervised by a qualified diving supervisor, with the divers surface tended. This structure ensures that safety measures, rescue readiness, and a clear chain of command are in place to manage the unique hazards of breath-hold diving.

Having equipment available does not automatically permit breath-hold dives. Written approval from a commander without the backing of a qualified diving supervisor and surface tending isn’t sufficient, and diving with a buddy does not replace the need for proper authorization and supervision.