Canadian Armed Forces Divers - Clearance Divers

Clearance Divers

Clearance divers use the Canadian Underwater Mine Apparatus (CUMA) rebreather breathing apparatus.

Canada currently has two operational units from which Navy Clearance Diving Officers, Clearance Divers and Port Inspection Divers perform a variety of core capabilities, as outlined in their Naval Diving Operational Concept of Employment (ND OCE) terms of reference. These core capabilities are:

• Battle Damage Repair (BDR)
• Maritme Explosive Ordnance Disposal(MEOD)
• Mine Counter-Measures (MCM)
• Force Protection Support (FPS)

They also perform a number of secondary or support functions to these core capabilities include but are not limited to:

• Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) for devices found in military establishments within defined areas of responsibility in Canada;
• Submarine Search and Rescue (SUBSAR) first line response (RCC and light-weight Surface Supplied Diving equipment)
• Second line response (ROVs and/or diving);
• Provision of a minimum six-person 45 metre CABA diving team on each coast for emergencies;
• Diving Support Roles (which amplifies Para 13 b.) consist of:

1. Underwater ship and infrastructure maintenance
2. Light salvage
3. Seabed search
4. Underwater demolitions
5. Inspection, maintenance and repair of critical diver life support equipment
6. Operation of Working Class Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV), Inspection Class ROV, ROV Simulator, Diver Evaluation Systems, and side scan sonar (SSS)
7. Support for medical treatment in hyperbaric chamber
8. Support to JTF2
9. Operating the Experimental Diving Unit (EDU) at DRDC Toronto in support of R&D efforts related to CF diving activities

The two operational naval diving units are:

• Fleet Diving Unit Pacific based at CFB Esquimalt, British Columbia.
• Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic based near Halifax in CFB Shearwater, Nova Scotia.

Clearance Divers are considered among the most skilled underwater operators in the world. Their motto is "Strength in depth".

Clearance Diving Officers and Divers also serve at:-

• the Experimental Diving Unit (EDU) at Defence Research and Development Canada
• the CFSAL - EOD School in CFB Borden, Ontario.

Clearance Diving Officers and Clearance Divers also serve at D Dive S (Director Diving Safety) at the National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

(See Professional diving.)