DESIGN for surface orientated (air) diving systems
- Recommended Practice
- Revision 3 - June 2026
This document provides comprehensive guidance on the inspection of surface-oriented (air) diving systems, emphasising safety, regulatory compliance, and best practices within the offshore diving industry.
Contents
Part 1: Guidance
Introduction
List of acronyms
The competent person
Responsibilities
Planned maintenance systems (PMS)
Key features of this document
Completing the document
References
Part 2: Detail sheets
Record of inspections
Index to detail sheets
General safety
Dive control
Surface compression chamber
Diver launch and recovery system (LARS)
Diving basket
Wet bell
Wet bell main umbilical
Diver heating system
Divers’ umbilicals
Divers’ personal equipment
Compressors, pumps, etc.
High pressure air and gas storage
Appendix A – Changes made in Parts 1 and 2 of this revision (Rev. 3) of IMCA D023
Revision
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Rev. 3 - June 2026Update of document following resolution of review comments
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Rev. 2.3 - October 2024October 2024, Rev. 2.3 - Items added to Part 2 Sections 11 (5.10) and 12 (4.3)
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Rev. 2.2 - July 2024Lifting terminology updated per IMCA Information Note nr. 1665
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Rev. 2.1 - January 2024Correction to Part 2 Detail Sheets item 1.17 of Section 5 (1.5 times replaced by 1.25 times), item 1.15 of Section 6 (1.5 times replaced by 1.25 times), and item 1.8 of Section 10 (removal of ‘in the last 12 months’)
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Rev. 2 - August 2022Updated to clarify any anomalies and bring the guidance into alignment with current industry good practice
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Rev. 1 - January 2014Updated to incorporate equipment improvements and changed operating practices since first publication
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Rev. - February 2000Initial publication