There are significant dangers to the safety divers of operating in contaminated water. NFPA 1953, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Contaminated Water Diving, offers vital criteria for providing personnel with adequate protection from physical, environmental, and applicable chemical and biological hazards.

The standard covers design, testing, certification, labeling, and performance requirements for protective clothing and equipment, including dry suits, dry suit gloves, and dry suit footwear. NFPA 1953 also specifies criteria for accessories or enhancements used with or attached to protective ensembles for contaminated water diving to verify proper performance and functionality.

The 2021 edition is the first updated version of the originally published standard.

NFPA 1953 delivers the latest provisions for protective clothing and equipment to reduce the safety and health risks associated with exposure of personnel to the hazards of contaminated water diving.

Changes to the 2021 edition include:

• Added definition for facility to match other documents referenced in the standard, and language in Chapter 4 to cover manufacturing in multiple facilities
• Revised Table 4.4.1 to make the recertification schedule easier to understand and apply
• Removed abrasion resistance test and chemical permeation resistance test for dry suits (but not closure assemblies) and corresponding performance requirements
• New corresponding resistance test to replace the removed one

NFPA 1953 is a must-have for manufacturers of protective diving ensembles and anyone responsible for safeguarding the safety of diver personnel.

Help make sure emergency workers who put their lives in danger have the necessary protection by referencing NFPA 1953, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Contaminated Water Diving, 2021 edition.