Effects on Scrubber Endurance of Storing Soda Lime in CF Rebreathers,

Abstract

Canadian Forces divers using rebreather diving apparatus are currently restricted to pre-dive preparation times of only 6 hours. A proposal was made to increase this time to 7 days. Theoretically, this was possible; however, no empirical data were available to indicate that the chemical carbon dioxide absorbent could survive an extended storage period in Canadian Forces rebreathers. Consequently, the Experimental Diving Unit of the Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine conducted a study to determine if storage of soda lime would reduce the carbon dioxide scrubber endurance. The tests measured scrubber endurance using proposed NATO standard procedures under three conditions: (a) no storage; (b) seven days of storage; and (c) 1 hour under the endurance test conditions, followed by 7 days storage and then completion of the endurance test. The results indicated no difference between the three conditions; thereby, supporting the proposal for up to 7 days of storage. On the other hand, issues related to cold weather operations biological hazards, heavy exertion and accelerated material wear imposed some restrictions on rebreather storage.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA303673

Entities

People

  • David J. Eaton

Organizations

  • DRDC Toronto

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Biohazards
  • Breathing Apparatus
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Cold Weather Operations
  • Diving
  • Diving Equipment
  • Engineering
  • Materials
  • National Security
  • Physiology
  • Respiration
  • Safety
  • Scrubbers
  • Standards
  • Underwater Breathing Apparatus
  • Unmanned

Readers

  • Marine Mammal Biology
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).