HeO2 CUMA Repetitive Dive Table Trials - Series 2 and 3
Abstract
The Canadian Underwater Minecountermeasures (MCM) Apparatus (CUMA) is a self-contained, semi-closed circuit breathing apparatus in service with the Canadian Forces (CF) for diving on underwater mines to a depth of 81 metres of seawater (msw) using a mixture of helium and oxygen (HeO2). Decompression tables for use with the CUMA include no-decompression, surface decompression with oxygen, and in-water oxygen decompression tables. DCIEM/EDU has been tasked to develop and test repetitive diving tables and procedures for CUMA. Although repetitive diving for MCM has not been a requirement in the past, MCM divers will be required to conduct repetitive dives to accomplish the mission. Currently, there are no adequate repetitive diving procedures or tables for diving with HeO2 breathing mixtures such as used in the CUMA, and a surface interval of 18 hours is required before a diver is considered "clean" and can do a new dive. Repetitive diving procedures with reduced surface intervals will allow greater employment rates and turn-around times for small dive teams, both operationally and under training. Theoretical calculations based on the DCIEM decompression model used to develop the CUMA tables have suggested that this surface interval may be reduced to only 6 hours and that simple repetitive dive procedures for surface intervals from 3 to 6 hours can be devised. A limited EDU in-house pilot study was carried out in November 1997 to explore the feasibility and logistics of conducting repetitive dives on CUMA.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA356543
Entities
People
- Mark L. Kessler
- Ronald Y. Nishi
Organizations
- Defence Research and Development Canada