The safety problem among amateur divers is becoming more serious. This 

 is particularly so because of the great growth in the number of amateur divers. 

 From an estimated 2 million amateur divers in 1970 the numbers are ex- 

 pected to rise to 5 million in 5 years and to 10 million by the end of the 

 decade. Many of these divers will soon be attracted to complex saturated 

 diving at greater depths. In 1965, the Public Health Service recorded only 

 86 deaths among skin and scuba divers, most due to overextended sub- 

 mersion and panic. While mortality figures for later years have not been 

 reported they are believed to be higher. In 1967, for instance, the Navy 

 treated 21 civilians and 46 military personnel in its decompression chambers. 

 Such figures indicate a need for greater concern about diving safety. 



Heightening this concern is the variability of standards in training and 

 equipment use and maintenance. No uniform national standards exist for 

 levels of scuba proficiency among divers or instructors, except for those set 

 by various organizations such as the National Association of Underwater 

 Instructors, YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, several Government laboratories, 

 institutes, and universities. The city of Los Angeles has found it necessary 

 to adopt and enforce regulations locally. 



The Coast Guard is concerned with such problems because of its respon- 

 sibility for safety of life and property at sea. The Coast Guard is participating 

 in the American National Standards Institute's work in developing minimum 

 standards for diving safety. The Council for National Cooperation in 

 Aquatics is sponsoring an American National Standards Institute project to 

 develop minimum standards for recreational diving. Adherence would be 

 voluntary. In light of the growling number of divers, efforts to provide ade- 

 quate safety standards must be pursued diligently. 



A Sound National Program 



While much progress has been made in man-in-the-sea activities in 

 recent years, additional steps may be needed to — 



(1) Expand exploratory oceanographic studies to assess the value 

 of free diving and mobile and fixed habitats; 



(2) Create improved safety measures, especially for recreational 

 diving ; 



( 3 ) Strengthen the long-range biomedical program ; 



( 4 ) Develop a coordinated program to advance technology ; 



(5) Encourage support for education and training of technicians, 

 divers, scientists, engineers and medical doctors in man-in-the-sea 

 activities ; 



(6) Coordinate institutional and group man-in-the-sea activities ; 



(7) Foster cooperation and communication, nationally and inter- 

 nationally, for man-in-the-sea activities ; and 



(8) Conduct long range research to evaluate the effects of man on 

 the ocean's ecology and resources. 



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