Contaminated Water Diving System (CWDS) Evaluation
Abstract
A contaminated water diving system (CWDs) protects a diver from exposure to water-borne toxic, volatile, corrosive, or microbiaL agents. A CWDS is comprised of a dry suit and a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (UBA). Currently, the MK 12 surface-supplied diving system is the only USA currently authorized by the U. S. Navy for contaminated water diving. The report evaluated five commercially-available dry suits equipped with integral neck dams for use with the MK 21 MOD 1 UBA during manned dives conducted in 3.3 degrees C (42 degrees F) water. Dry suit testing as not conducted in contaminated water; rather, this phase of the evaluation addressed suit construction, ease of don and doff, comfort, and human factors considerations. Testing of the Viking dry suit was secured during initial evaluation because the inflation valve was located under the safety harness, repeatedly triggering accidental suit inflation and one instance of diver blow-up. The manufacturer subsequently relocated the valve to prevent this from occurring in the future. Except for this design deficiency, all the dry suits received favorable reviews and are recommended for ANU listing for contaminated water diving, provided they are furnished with pockets to accommodate additional ankle weight ballast to enhance stability, and the valves are configured to meet the needs of working divers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA275327
Entities
People
- L. J. Crepeau
Organizations
- United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit