Is SCUBA diving permitted in Category 1, 2, or 3 contaminated waters?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only CAT 1
• D. Only CAT 3

Answer: (B)

Contaminated water categories are a safety guardrail: they indicate conditions that increase risk beyond what a SCUBA dive can safely handle. In these categories, exposure to chemical or biological hazards, plus potential difficulties with visibility and equipment function, makes underwater operations unsafe. Because of that, SCUBA diving is not permitted in any of these contaminated waters. The only safe stance is to avoid diving in Category 1, 2, or 3 waters and pursue operations in clean water or use alternative methods and decontamination as required.