For helmeted divers, what is the starting safe sonar distance?

• A. Start at 600 yards
• B. Start at 1000 yards
• C. Start at 3000 yards and move into diver comfort
• D. Start at 5000 yards

Answer: (C)

The key idea is establishing a conservative initial sonar separation for helmeted divers to ensure safety and give you time to react. Starting at 3,000 yards provides a wide, safe buffer that accommodates variable currents, sonar performance, and the diver’s unpredictable movements. It also lets you confirm the environment and the diver’s handling before moving in closer. As the diver becomes more comfortable and you have better situational awareness, you can progressively reduce the distance to improve coordination and responsiveness.

Starting at much smaller distances (600 or 1,000 yards) would reduce the safety margin and limit reaction time in case of unexpected hazards. Going far beyond 3,000 yards (like 5,000) can make it harder to maintain effective supervision and timely communication or control.