Safe Thermal Exposure Limits (STEL) for the EOD MK 1 MOD O Dry Suit.
Abstract
Advances in underwater breathing apparatus (UBAs) have increased both depth and time limits for divers. Unfortunately, the advances in passive thermal protection have not kept pace with these developments and are now the limiting factor in dive planning. This study established safe thermal exposure limits (STEL) for an ensemble of dry suit and undergarments called the EOD MK 1 MOD O dry suit, a passive thermal system (PTS). A limiting factor for thermal protection when diving in near-freezing water is extremity hypothermia (e.g., fingers) which can lead to loss of hand dexterity and permanent tissue damage called nonfreezing cold injury (NCI). In a passive thermal system extremity hypothermia usually occurs before body core hypothermia. A previous study demonstrated that this PTS could not protect the diver for the required five hours in near freezing water nor did the suit inflation bottle have adequate volume for dives to 300 fsw 2.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA240759
Entities
People
- J. M. Chimiak
Organizations
- United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit