This vintage 1966 US Navy training film was created in order to instruct trainee divers on how to use the newly released lightweight diving outfit. The history of the Navy diving suit began on August 1st, 1882 off Newport, Rhode Island. The early suit was designed specifically for deep sea diving and was used from 1918 to 1984. This was the heavy Mark V Diving Dress. The dress featured in this film was lighter and better suited for shallow water missions. Here an instructor delivers specific instruction on the components of the diving outfit. The film opens with a note that it has been unclassified and was for official training purposes (:17). It was produced in the US Naval Photographic Center (:29). A navy diver performs an underwater task in the lightweight diving outfit (:55). A second diver swims up (1:15). The Navy employs two variations of the shallow water diving systems. The SCUBA and the surface supplied system using this lightweight diving outfit (1:31). The diver tugs on his life line; bubbles pop up from the mask (1:49). From the surface a sailor tugs back at the line which acts also as a tool for communication (1:55). The diver surfaces (2:03). The components of the outfit are laid out on the table (2:28), including the breathing assembly, the dress (2:32), and the weighted belt (2:33). The breathing assembly (2:41) is highlighted first. Control valves are noted (2:47). The hose is connected to the manila lifeline by lashings (3:03). The instructor takes a drag from a cigarette to perform a smoke test on the valve (3:30). The mask is pressed against the instructor’s face (3:50). The air control valve (3:58) and the inhalation valve (4:06) are noted. He straps on the face mask (4:49). The weighted belt controls the lightweight bouncy of the dress (5:31). He demonstrates how to remove the belt (5:47). Weights are added and removed (5:51). He demonstrates the quick release of the belt (6:10). Navy divers and instructors ready themselves for an actual dive (6:18). Divers check their air supply (6:45) and perform the smoke test (6:56). The process of dressing oneself for the dive begins with long underwear (7:28). The dress suit is slipped over the divers head (8:10). The head is laced snugly (8:13). The back of the suit is folded up (8:46) and the bundle is secured with a clamp (9:04). The diver kneels down in a crouched position to release the excess air (9:15). He applies the weighted belt (9:24). The lifeline is looped around the diver (9:41) and the face mask is put on (10:08). He tugs on the life line to ensure no strain is on the hose (11:05) and dips into the water by way of the ladder (11:10). Once submerged he adjusts the air flow (11:27). The diver surfaces to readjust the straps (11:36). The film returns surface side to demonstrate emergency procedures (13:12) such as loss of air. The air pressure meter goes down (13:23). The diver ascends releasing the belt (13:37). A demonstration explains what to do if the life line is fouled (14:07). The diver ‘exhales’ to the surface (14:30). In order to clear the mask, he tilts his head back (14:51) and pulls the mask away from his chin. Under the water, the diver moves easily across the sea floor (15:35) tugging on the line. The oxygen level drops (16:03) and the diver removes his pack to sail for the surface (16:13). The film concludes and has been a part of ‘Sea Power for Security’ (16:33).

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