Which instruction authorizes the use of a commercial air source in Navy diving operations?

• A. OPNAVINST 3150.27
• B. NAVSEA 00C
• C. US Navy Dive Manual
• D. SUPSALV

Answer: (A)

Using a commercial air source in Navy diving operations is governed by official policy to ensure safety, standardization, and gas quality across all dives. The instruction that explicitly authorizes this is the Navy policy instruction for diving operations, which covers when and how commercial air sources may be used, along with the required quality controls, handling, and oversight. This guidance provides the framework divers and support personnel rely on to verify gas purity, compatibility with equipment, and proper procedures for sourcing and documenting air supplies.

Other documents play important roles in diving operations, but they do not grant the authorization by themselves. The US Navy Dive Manual outlines procedures for dives, but the authority to approve using a commercial air source comes from the policy instruction. NAVSEA 00C and SUPSALV relate to equipment standards and salvage/diving operations, respectively, rather than the specific authorization to use commercial air.