Physiological Basis of Floating in Water

Abstract

Specifications are derived for the volume of air necessary to float men with their heads out of water to the level of the first thoracic vertebrum. The derivation is based on (a) proportions of body fat, (b) its density and (c) that of the lean body mass together with (d) residual lung volumes. In order to float all body types of men, including large lean men, 11.6 liters of submerged air are believed necessary. It is shown that loading with wet clothing and typical weapons can increase this requirement to upwards of 23 liters of air.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 22, 1961
Accession Number
AD0256795

Entities

People

  • K Chinn
  • R. W. Allard

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Flow
  • Body Composition
  • Body Weight
  • Clothing
  • Cold Water
  • Flotation
  • Fresh Water
  • Human Body
  • Materials
  • Naval Personnel
  • Residuals
  • Sea Water
  • Specific Gravity
  • Specifications
  • United States
  • Volume
  • Water

Readers

  • Exercise and Sports Science.
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Structural Dynamics.