Decompression from a Deep Nitrogen/Oxygen Saturation Dive. A Case Report,
Abstract
Ten divers participated in a 4.5 day nitrogen/oxygen saturation dive to 165 fsw. There were daily 2 hour excursions to 200 fsw. The divers breathed air during the excursions and 0.5 ATM oxygen in nitrogen at 165 fsw. The final decompression began 6 hours after the last excursion. The oxygen partial pressure was 0.5 ATM from 165 to 45 fsw, and air was used from 45fsw to the surface. By 20 fsu, 4 divers had developed decompression sickness. A fifth diver developed decompression sickness during a commercial air flight 68 hours after surfacing. Comparison of ascent rates for this dive and for air or nitrogen/oxygen saturation dives reported in the literature suggests that deeper dives require slower rates of ascent. Dives shallower than 100 fsw had a mean ascent rate of 3.2 fsw/hr and 14 decompression incidents in 107 man-exposures. Dives deeper than 100 fsw had a mean rate of 2.5 fsw/hr and 14 incidents in 45 man-exposures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 19, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA148344
Entities
People
- D. A. Youngblood
- P. B. Bennett
- P. D. Barry
- R. D. Vann
- R. E. Peterson
Organizations
- Duke University Hospital