MDSU 2 Sailors Train With Pakistan Navy Divers

Courtesy Photo | Pakistani navy divers operate an AN/PQS-2 Alpha hand-held sonar while wearing blacked out diving masks to simulate zero visibility during a basic dive equipment training course held by Navy divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2, attached to Combined Task Group 56.1. CTG 56.1 provides maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Anderson Bomjardim)  

KARACHI, PAKISTAN

11.03.2010

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

By Petty Officer 1st Class Anderson Bomjardim

KARACHI, Pakistan - Navy divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2, attached to Combined Task Group 56.1, participated in dive training with Pakistani navy divers and Special Service Group 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, 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.

"It was the first time that we have gotten instructions on the Mk 16 Mod 1 UBA," said Pakistan Lt. Ziaullah Zia. Zia is a diving officer assigned to the Pakistani mine countermeasures ship PNS Muhafiz. "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," explained Petty Officer 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 noted that 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.

• Date Taken: 11.03.2010
• Date Posted: 11.17.2010 07:23
• Story ID: 60312
• Location: KARACHI, PK