Nitrox Saturation Dive with 1.3 ATM Constant PO_2-in-Helium No-Stop Downward Excursions
Abstract
Six divers participated in an eight-day nitrox saturation dive in the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) Ocean Simulation Facility (OSF). During five days at 100 fsw storage depth (0.33 atm PO2-in-nitrogen), 25 1.3 atm PO2-in-helium no stop downward excursions were conducted in the OSF wet pot using MK 28 closed-circuit underwater breathing apparatus. Six excursions to 120 fsw for 24 minutes bottom time and 10 excursions to 230 fsw for 28 minutes bottom time were completed without incident. Nine excursions to 200 fsw for 35 minutes bottom time resulted in one case of Type 1 decompression sickness (DCS) manifest as mild shoulder pain. The DCS was successfully treated with recompression from storage depth to 115 fsw and breathing 50 percent oxygen / 50 percent nitrogen. No symptoms or signs characteristic of inert gas counter diffusion disease (e.g. pruritis, urticaria, inner ear dysfunction) occurred during the saturation-excursion operations. Saturation decompression from 100 fsw, accomplished breathing air during 77 hr 6 min of decompression stops, resulted in no DCS.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1215319
Entities
People
- David J. Doolette
- John O. Theriot
- Keith A. Gault
- Wayne A. Gerth
Organizations
- United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit