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Navy Divers Train With Pakistan Navy

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101117-07
11/17/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anderson Bomjardim, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs

KARACHI, Pakistan (NNS) -- Navy divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, attached to Combined Task Group (CTG) 56.1, participated in dive training with Pakistani navy divers and Special Service Group (SSG) sailors at a Pakistan submarine base in Karachi Nov. 1-3.

The combined dive training involving Pakistan and U.S. Navy divers covered a range of skill sets, to include mission planning, diver injuries/disorders to include decompression treatment; operation of handheld sonar and running a dive station. All of the training dives were led by Pakistan navy dive supervisors.

The first phase of training focused on exchanging Pakistan divers and SSG sailors basic knowledge of the Mk 16 Mod 1 Underwater Breathing Apparatus (UBA), a breathing apparatus which allows a diver to achieve depths of up to 300 feet because it is a closed circuit mixed gas system. This system requires a diver to constantly monitor its functionality underwater through its electronic gauges.

Lt. Ziaullah Zia is a diving officer in the Pakistan navy and is assigned to the mine countermeasures ship PNS Muhafiz.

"It was the first time that we have gotten instructions on the Mk 16 Mod 1 UBA," said Zia. "It was good for our divers to see how it operates, how to monitor its electronic gauges and how to maintain the breathing apparatus itself."

The students' dive medicine knowledge was put to the test during the second day of training, with a more technical curriculum on neurological examinations. The exam consists of basic tests such as vision, memory and body functionality. Dive supervisors are responsible for conducting neurological examinations after a diver complains of pain or numbness while returning to surface from a dive.

"Neurological examinations are meant to give dive supervisors the opportunity to find out if the diver has a diving related casualty or something else," said Navy Diver 1st Class Christopher Juelsgaard. Juelsgaard is assigned to MDSU 2 and a dive supervisor for MDSU 2 and CTG 56.1. "It can distinguish if the casualty is from an arterial gas embolism or a decompression sickness."

The three-day training also gave Pakistan navy divers and SSG sailors the opportunity to familiarize themselves with important pieces of equipment used by U.S. Navy divers and explosive ordnance technicians.

Students learned how to operate AN/PQS-2 Alpha hand-held sonar. The device enables divers to locate metal objects underwater in zero visibility. Zero visibility was simulated by having their diving masks covered with tape as they worked in the pool. According to Zia, it was also the first time that Pakistan navy divers and SSG sailors were able to use the AN/PQS-2.

Zia said the joint training between U.S. Navy divers and Pakistan diving teams was extremely beneficial for Pakistan's diving teams.

"I hope that this kind of training continues, so that we are able to maintain cooperation and the good relationship we have with the U.S. Navy," Zia said.