RESTRICTED

___________________________________
This document contains a total of 18 pages,
Including the cover page. The contents are not
To be disclosed to any unauthorised person
_________________________________________

NAVAL STAFF QUALITATIVE REQUIREMENTS (NSQRs)

FOR DIVING ACCESSORIES

1. Sponsor : Directorate of Special Ops & Diving

2. Reference of Staff Policy Requirement : DD/1732/ Div Eqpt dated Oct 07

Number

3. Qualitative Requirement : NSQRs

4. Other Qualitative Requirements : Nil

5. Nomenclature : Diving Accessories

6. Security Classification : Restricted

7. Priority : Operational

8. Number of Pages : 18

___________________________________________________________________________

PART I – GENERAL INFORMATION

9. Purpose.

(a) The requirement of Diving accessories is to provide safety to a Diver while

undertaking a diving operation at sea and to assist the diver to undertake the task in a
safe and hazard-free manner.

(b) A diver is required to be comfortable in swimming underwater after donning

these equipment along with a Diving set so that he does not loose energy or struggle
in water.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

10. Regulation/ Standards. The Diving Accessories should comply to following current
International Standards: -

(a) Current MILSEC/ HSE/ NATO equipment performance standards.

(b) Certification as per ISI/ ISO/ Lloyds/ EN250/ DNV or equivalent Standards.

11. Functionality. The equipment should be capable of being used by any diver
underwater during a diving operation and free swimming. The role of each item should be as
per characteristics enumerated along with the description/ main features.

PART II

OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FEATURES OF DIVING ACCESSORIES

12. The items enumerated in the succeeding paragraphs are accessories used by a diver
to enhance his efficiency during a diving operation and when carrying out free swimming.
The diving accessories must meet the undermentioned requirements:-

(a) Should be suited for tropical climate and not require temperature / environment
controlled stowage.

(b) Should not require any special chemical agents for cleaning / after use routines
/ washing.

(c) Should be rugged / break resistant and suitable for rough use at the dive site
and marine environment underwater.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

13. The detailed requirements of each equipment are mentioned against each and is
tabulated below.

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(a) Ladder Diver To enable the (i) Material: Non-corrosive hard metal.
Complete diver to climb up/
down to water (ii) Man portable, light weight 10 kgs (approx)
surface from dive and easy to carry.
platform.
(iii) Design. Ladder size 10 feet long and 2 feet
broad with steps at interval of 9” - 12”. The rods
should be of smooth round metallic surface with
a provision to fix it on shipside/ diving platform.

(iv) Should have rubber shoes/ mounts at

bottom for resting on shipside.
(b) Graphite Fins Assist Diver in (i) Description. Colour black. Length Not less
hands free than 17”, Width Not less than 4” (top) and 8.8”
swimming on (Bottom).
surface and
underwater. (ii) Material: Thermoplastic rubber with
Graphite content. Should not skid even on a wet
metal deck.

(iii) Hydrodynamic shape. The shape of the

fin to facilitate:-
(aa) Max propulsion whilst swimming in water
using flutter and frog kick.
(ab) Suitable for swimming for long duration
without causing undue fatigue.

(iv) Shoe Pocket. Pocket should be 7” - 8”

deep with an adjustable back strap (not less
than 1.5 inch in width). Inner part should be
made of soft rubber for use with bare feet. One
additional back strap should be supplied with
the fins.

(v) Weight. ½ - 1.5 kg (approx).

(vi) Buoyancy : Approximately 10% negatively

buoyant

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(c) Swim Fins Assist Diver in (i) Description. Colour black. Length Not less
hands free than 17”, Width Not less than 4” (top) and 8.8”
swimming on (Bottom).
surface and
underwater. (ii) Material: Thermoplastic rubber / Natural
rubber. Should not skid even on a wet metal
deck.

(iii) Hydrodynamic shape. The shape of the

fin to facilitate:-
(aa) Max propulsion whilst swimming in water
using flutter and frog kick.
(ab) Suitable for swimming for long duration
without causing undue fatigue.

(iv) Shoe Pocket. Pocket should be 7” - 8”

deep with an adjustable back strap (not less
than 1.5 inch in width). Inner part should be
made of soft rubber for use with bare feet. One
additional back strap should be supplied with
the fins.

(v) Weight. ½ - 1.5 kg (approx).

(vi) Buoyancy. Approximately 10% negatively

buoyant
(d) Sharpener for Sharpening the (i) A metallic portable sharpener with a handle
Swimmer knife Knife used for (non-breakable) for mechanical/ manual use.
diving operations.
(ii) Should be small (6” approx in length) and
light in weight (200 – 300 gms). Life of 1 – 2
yrs.

(iii) To be supplied with the swimmer’s knife for

regular sharpening of the knife.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(e) Knife Swimmer Safety Knife and a (i) Blade 17 – 20 Cms (approx).
tool to cut
obstruction, (ii) Material: Titanium/ Non corrosive.
ropes, nets etc
underwater. (iii) Shape of the Blade. Razor sharp smooth
cutting edge on one side with considerable
‘belley’ or curve and should include a sharp line
– cutter hook for cutting fishing lines and
leaders. The backbone of the blade to have a
heavy serrated edge (Wavy or rounded
serrations) running nearly the full length of one
side.

(iv) Knife Tip : Pointed and made of Titanium

(v) Handle. The size of the handle should be

about 110 – 120 mm in length, with reasonable
width so that a diver can hold the knife
comfortably in water. The material used for
handle should be black in colour, marine proof -,
Thermo-rubber material externally and rubber/
polypropylene internally with non-skid surface.
There should be an effective guard/ ridge /
thumb rest between the handle and the blade to
prevent fingers from slipping onto the sharp
edge. There should be one lanyard hole at the
top end of the handle with a brass metal eye
(rounded edges) to secure the knife with a
lanyard/ rope.

(v) Weight. Approximately 200 – 300 gms.

(vi) Length : Not less than 20 cm

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(f) Sheath for Knife Safety cover for (i) To be supplied with the swimmer’s knife with
knife and for locking and quick release facility. The shape and
attachment of the size of the sheath should be so designed that
knife to the divers knife blade fits firmly when inserted in the
Life Belt. sheath without any blade part projecting out.

(ii) Material: Thermoplastic rubber/ flexible

nylon with the inside part of the sheath made of
hard plastic that does not get cut/ damage when
inserting the knife inside.

(iii) Colour: Black

(iv) The sheath should have a simple and

maintenance free locking mechanism so that
when the knife is returned to the sheath, it
should engage with a clearly heard or felt click.
The knife release should be operable by one
finger of the hand.

(v) the sheath should have slots of for attaching

it to a 2” broad life belt.

(vi) Lanyard. A Lanyard of suitable size of 3 ft

length for securing the knife to the sheath to the
belt. In addition a wrist lanyard of one feet with
securing band should be provided.

(vii) Hose Clip. A hose clip to be provided with

the knife sheath to secure the same onto the
hose of diving set or Buoyancy compensator
device.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(g) Life/ Waist Belt Attaching lifeline (i) Design Broad belt made of polypropylene
(Diver) to a diver to:- fabric with a loop on the right shoulder to secure
(i) Pull the diver the lifeline (8 mm rope). Moulded to the waist
out of water belt at either end in front left side and back
incase of center. The ends should be seized/ hardened to
emergency. avoid fraying.

(ii) Pass (ii) Size 2” broad, 3 mm thick and 45 inch in

directions/ length (approx). The belt should be adjustable
instructions to the in length.
diver
(iii) Buckle Waist belt should have a quick
release non-breakable buckle of plastic/ fibre/
non-corrosive soft metal.

(iv) Total weight 250 – 300 gms,

(v) Material: Thermoplastic / polypropylene

fabric

(vi) Working Load : 100 Kg

(vii) Colour. Black

(h) Lead Weights To enable the (i) Ergonomic design.
(1 and 2 Kgs) diver to adjust
buoyancy during (ii) Suitable slots for attachment to a weight
a diving belt.
operation.
(iii) Weight 1 kg, 2Kg.

(v) Material Lead

(v) Slots to accommodate on weight belt

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(j) Weight Belt To attach lead (i) Should consist of a waist belt with pouches
weights of 1 and moulded onto the belt to house / attach the
2 kgs to a diver to weights. The pouch should open independently
adjust buoyancy on top with a button / Velcro mechanism.
during a diving
operation. (ii) Material. The belt should be made of
polypropylene/ nylon fabric with a quick release
non-breakable buckle of plastic/ fibre/ non-
corrosive soft metal.

(iii) The belt should be of adjustable size of not

less than 45” in length, 3 mm thick and 2” broad
(approx).

(iv) Should be suitable for 1 or 2 kg lead

weights.

(v) Colour: Black

(k) Float Spherical To mark the diver (a) Bright coloured (orange) float to mark diver
underwater while underwater. Provision for an eye to pass a rope
swimming/ diving. of 8 mm thickness.

(b) Made of strong, light and non-breakable

buoyant material (reinforced plastic).

(c) Minimum buoyancy of 4 Kg. Size spherical of

diameter 1½ - 2 feet.

(d) Should have a provision to fix a 2 feet pole

for a flag/ light.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(l) 8 mm Poly Lifeline is required (i) 8 mm polypropylene rope. Multi-plated to
Lifeline to connect the avoid kinks in the rope. Length 75 mts.
diver to his
surface attendant. (ii) Should have a good grip to pull the diver
from underwater in case of emergency.

(iii) Should be flexible to pass instruction to

diver by way of pulling the rope.

(iv) Mounted on a suitable roller to facilitate

quick release and retrieval. Marked with yellow
marking at interval of 3 mts and red bands at
every 15 metres: -

(aa) Should have yellow bands at 3, 6, 9

and 12 mts and a red band at 15 metres.

(ab) The above marking to be repeated

every 15 metres i.e. at 15, 30, 45, 60 mtrs.

(iv) Colour: Preferably Black

(v) Safe Working Load: 100 Kg

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

10

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(m) Buddy Line Connect two (i) Manufactured in three parts:-
divers in buddy
pair during a dive (aa) Center part is of length 8’ with Inglefield
operation. clip at each end or any other securing
arrangement that is easy to disengage, if
requirement so arises.

(ab) Two end parts of 1½ feet with ingle field

clips at one end and armband is worn by a
diver on the upper arm.

(ii) Size 8 mm (Approx)

(iii) Material/ Design : Polypropylene / Nylon

Multi-plated to avoid kinks in the rope.

(iv) Armband To be of not less than 2 cm

broad polypropylene / nylon fabric with rope
attachment / Velcro.

(v) The Inglefield clips should be of non

corrosive metals that can be easily detached by
a diver underwater.

(v) Colour: Black

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

11

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(n) Snorkel Tube To enable the (i) The Snorkel comprise of a Silicon tube with a
diver to breathe soft comfortable mouthpiece to enable a diver to
while carrying out breathe whilst swimming just below the water
surface swimming surface. Also, a provision to attach the snorkel
with swim mask. to the swim mask.

(ii) Should be fitted with a Non-return Valve ins

ide the tube to obviate chances of water
entering the divers mouth when submerged.

(iii) Should have a purge valve to remove / clear

out water that has entered the snorkel tube.

(iv) Should have a self regulating valve that

‘shuts off’ when submerged but opens in air.

(v) Should have a comfortable mouth piece.

(vi) Colour: Black

(p) Mask Swim To keep the eyes (i) The mask should be made of high quality,
and nose of diver/ soft and non-corrosive Silicon material.
swimmer clear of
water (ii) The visor should be scratch proof and of
non-breakable glass/ reinforced plastic/ silicon
to provide clear front and side vision in
seawater.

(iii) Should incorporate a purge valve to

remove water from the face mask.

(iv) Tested for use to a depth of 55 mts.

Certification for same to be provided.

(v) Fitted with adjustable head strap and a

provision to secure snorkel to the mask whilst
swimming.

(vii ) Colour: Black

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

12

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(q) Magnetic To indicate (i) The Magnetic Compass should indicate
Compass magnetic accurate magnetic bearing to a diver whilst
Underwater compass bearing swimming underwater.
to a diver
underwater. (ii) Depth Certification to 25 mts.

(iii) Must have a radium/ florescent dial with an

indicator pointer for use in darkness. The dial
cover should have magnifying characteristics
and made of non-breakable glass/ reinforced
plastic.

(iv) Provided with an adjustable strap for

donning on the wrist and an eye to pass a thin
lanyard for securing it to a diving set.

(v) Must incorporate a sprit level to obviate

chances of direction needle/ pointer getting
stuck due excessive tilt.

(vi) The compass should be usable for tilt upto

300.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

13

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(r) Neoprene Suit Wet suit to (i) The suit should be in five parts namely
protect diver from Jacket, Trouser, shoe, gloves and hood. Should
nips and cuts, be made of 2 – 3 mm soft Macro cellular
provide buoyancy Neoprene.
and warmth.
(ii) Should have two colours Black on top side
and orange/ red inside. The suit could be worn
on either side depending on the requirement.

(iii) Jacket and trouser to cover body legs and

arms and to be body hugging to provide warmth
to a diver. The closing zips should be of non-
corrosive plastic.

(iv) When worn the suit should enable the diver

to swim freely, with flexibility and should provide
buoyancy in water.

(v) Should be supplied in Standard sizes i.e.

Small, medium, medium large, large and extra-
large.

(vi) Additional re-enforcement to be provided

on elbow and knee.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

14

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(s) Depth Gauge To indicate depth (i) The gauge should indicate accurate depth
Shallow Dive of water to a upto 20 meters in seawater. The marking should
(12 Metres) diver during be both in feet and meters.
diving operation.
(ii) Must have a radium/ florescent dial with a
depth pointer or give a digital reading visible in
darkness. The dial cover should have magnifying
characteristics and made of non-breakable
glass/ reinforced plastic.

(iii) Provided with an adjustable strap for

donning on the wrist.

(iv) Hose clip attachment for attaching it on BCD

Hose to be provided as an accessory.
(t) Divers Watch To indicate time (i) The watch should be waterproof chronometer
and duration of and provide accurate time to diver.
dive to a diver
(iii) Depth certification 250 mts.

(ii) Material should be non-magnetic metal/

reinforced plastic.

(iii) Must have a radium/ florescent and scratch

resistant dial with florescent needles for visibility
in darkness. The dial cover should have
magnifying characteristics. The outer rim should
have a rotate-able florescent time indicator.

(iv) Should indicate date and have a facility of

an audio alarm in water.

(v) Optional facility. A stopwatch with light in

addition to above requirement.

(vi) Strap should have an additional locking

facility.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

15

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(u) Diving Dry Suit To enable a diver (i) The Dry suit should be manufactured from a
to undertake Internationally certified Triaminic/ rubberised
diving in cold material that is soft, flexible and resistant to
climate conditions cuts from barnacles/ sharp edges.
and in
contaminated (ii) Should consist of body suit with separate
waters. hood and gloves. The body suit to incorporated
shoes in the same. The gloves should be of
stretchable material to snugly fit the hands

(iii) Dry suit should cover the entire body, feet,

hands and neck with elastic seal at wrist and
neck ends to enable the diver to remain dry
during the dive.

(iv) Suit inflation bottle may be provided to

ensure comfort to the diver in deep waters.

(v) Suitable water proof and non-corrosive zip to

enable donning and removing of the dry suit.

(vi) Must have an inner cotton sweat suit.

(vii) The suit should not obstruct wearing of

other dive gear viz dive apparatus, Buoyancy
compensator device, life belt etc

(viii) The shoe should have a hard sole for diver.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

16

(v) Depth Gauge To indicate depth (i) The gauge should indicate accurate depth
Deep Dive of water to a upto 61 meters in seawater. The marking should
diver during be both in feet and meters.
diving operation.
(ii) Must have a radium/ florescent dial with a
depth pointer or give a digital reading visible in
darkness. The dial cover should have magnifying
characteristics and made of non-breakable
glass/ reinforced plastic.

(iii) Provided with an adjustable strap for

donning on the wrist.

(iv) Should incorporate an adjustable depth

alarm.

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

17

SNo DESCRIPTION Role Main Features

(w) Portable To ensure (i) Type: Brushless, revolving magnetic field
Generator availability of type with following rating: -
electric power
supply to (aa) Rated AC Voltage 220 V
equipment and (ab) Rated AC Output 2.5 to 2.8 kVA
lighting at the
dive site. (ii) Engine. Four Stroke, Air cooled, OHV,
continuous operation 9 Hrs, Key Start.

(iii) Standard Features. AC Circuit Breaker, AC

Socket, Oil Alert, Fuel Gauge, Volt Meter.

(iv) Outer Frame: Non-corrosive material for

protection against rough use and weather.

(v) Carrying Handles. To be provided for

loading onto motor transport and movement to
short distances manually. If required a trolley
with wheels to be provided.

(vi) Fuel. Petrol/ Diesel.

(v) ISI Certification and Documentations

mandatory required indicating rate of fuel
consumption, hours of continuous running and
other operating characteristics.

(vi) Essential spares and tool kit as accessories.

13. Maintenance and Product Support.

(a) On Board Maintenance. All the items should afford easy on-board
maintenance, by replacement of consumable spare parts or by way of replacement
with new items. The supplier/ OEM is required to recommend a list of onboard spares.

(b) Base and Depot Spares/ Stocking. Manufacturers Recommended List

(MRL) of Base and Depot (B & D) spares and On Board Spares (OBS) must be
provided with cost. Adequacy and continued availability of spares/ replacement of the

RESTRICTED
 RESTRICTED

18

item (depending upon the life span) must be ensured prior to placement of orders for
these diving accessories.

(c) Product Support. Each item of the Diving Accessories should be supported by
the OEM/ supplier, for a period of its life span. Any obsolescence of the component/
spare/ item needs to be intimated by the firm, well in time, to enable stocking of
spares by the Indian Navy. The firm should also recommend/ offer suitable
substitutes/ replacement for such components.

RESTRICTED