FIELD TEST OF DARK ADAPTATION OF DIVERS
Abstract
Data are presented on 120 dives in water of a depth of 15 to 18 feet in which the bottom was very muddy and tide and current conditions such as to make the advantages of dark adaptation difficult to measure. Subjective improvement, however, was reported by all 60 divers. Data are presented on 42 dives in 170 feet of water half of which were by dark-adapted divers who showed definitely measurable improvement in vision and who universally expressed their opinion that dark adaptation improved underwater vision markedly. Preliminary experiments of rod and cone function under varying degrees of illumination and of oxygen tension are reported. The advantages of dark adapting divers is more evident on days in which meteorological and other conditions are such as to provide low illumination on the bottom, that is, on days during which the sun in partially or completely obscured. The practicability of dark adapting divers by dark adaptation goggles worn until the diver was 'on bottom' has been demonstrated. It was found that once dark-adapted, a diver's vision will remain constant unless radical change in light intensity occurs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 15, 1946
- Accession Number
- AD0638163
Entities
People
- I. A. Everley
- William Kennett