1910.424(c): SCUBA Dive Procedures
Employers must have a standby diver available while a SCUBA diver is in the water, and each diver must be line-tended from the surface or stay in continuous visual contact with a buddy. In enclosed spaces a diver must be stationed at the entry point, and each diver must carry a reserve breathing gas supply with its valve closed before the dive.
Key takeaways
- 1910.424(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T).
- OSHA cited it 5 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $186,480 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.424(c)(1) (3 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.424(c) ("Procedures") is one requirement inside 1910.424 SCUBA diving, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart T). It includes 7 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(c) Procedures. 5 citations
(1) A standby diver shall be available while a diver is in the water. Open (c)(1) 3 citations
(2) A diver shall be line-tended from the surface, or accompanied by another diver in the water in continuous visual contact during the diving operations. 1 citations
(3) A diver shall be stationed at the underwater point of entry when diving is conducted in enclosed or physically confining spaces. 1 citations
(4) A diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply shall be provided for each diver consisting of:
(i) A manual reserve (J valve); or
(ii) An independent reserve cylinder with a separate regulator or connected to the underwater breathing apparatus.
(5) The valve of the reserve breathing gas supply shall be in the closed position prior to the dive.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.424.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.424(c).
At approximately 9:00 a.m. on May 21, 2024, six individuals, including Employee #1 (deceased), were performing underwater work to clean out lake weeds 10-15 feet below the surface of Lake Lavon in Apple Valley, MN. After several minutes,coworkers noticed they had not seen bubbles from…
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.424(c)(1) 3 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Is a standby diver required for SCUBA?
Yes. A standby diver shall be available while a diver is in the water.
Can a SCUBA diver dive alone?
No. The diver must be line-tended from the surface or accompanied by another diver in continuous visual contact.
What position must the reserve valve be in before the dive?
The valve of the reserve breathing gas supply must be in the closed position prior to the dive.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.424 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.