Evaluation of Portable Recompression System (PRS). Life Support, Schedule Adequacy, and Human Factors
Abstract
The Portable Recompression System (PRS), a single-place treatment chamber under consideration as a primary recompression unit for diving casualties, was evaluated in terms of its life-support adequacy, safety, and habitability. Thirty U. S. Navy divers were exposed to one of three theoretical treatment scenarios, all involving use of modified or unmodified Treatment Table I-A Schedules, singly or with one replication after a brief surface interval. The data obtained indicated that the PRS unit functioned well, providing adequate life support and reasonable patient comfort. The various treatment scenarios appeared to be both safe and tolerable. Experimental subjects uniformly expressed confidence in use of the PRS in emergency situations. Several problem areas were noted, which included (a) need for clearly-defined medical management procedures for use by diving personnel in the absence of on- site medical expertise; (b) inadequacies in the PRS communication system in diver-to-topside mode; (c) consistent decreases in PRS oxygen percentages during treatments; and (d) temperature/humidity stress on subjects that could adversely affect patient safety in tropical and sub-tropical environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 23, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA058700
Entities
People
- J. E. Jordan
- J. W. Parker
- K. R. Bondi
- R. J. Biersner
- S. C. Gilman
- W. L. Hunter Jr.
Organizations
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory