Final Report on Exploration and Evaluation of Alternatives for the MK16 Primary Display
Abstract
Explosive ordnance divers using the MK16 Underwater Breathing Apparatus (UBA) must constantly monitor their primary display to ensure that safe oxygen levels are maintained in the breathing loop. Failure to do so can lead to hypoxia or hyperoxia. To use the new, hand-held UIS effectively, divers must concentrate on a large, information-filled screen for long periods. This distracts divers from adequately monitoring the primary, and compromises their safety. In this situation, the primary display information is simply "lost" due to visual overload from the UIS. There is a need to increase the divers awareness of this important information. Analysis of alternative matrices was used to identify, evaluate, and rank candidate methods. Alternative methods were analyzed and scored (5 being the highest score, and 1 the lowest) based on human factors and hardware characteristics. Since even the best engineered hardware will not produce a viable system if the man-machine interface is not carefully considered, the analysis uses a hierarchical scoring method to place the most weight on the human factors aspects of the candidate methods. Scores were based on literature references and input from Navy Experimental Diving Unit's (NEDU) and Coastal Systems Station's (CSS) engineering personnel experienced in diving, diving system design and human factors as related to MK16 and UIS operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 05, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA383698
Entities
People
- William H. Mints
- William Olstad
Organizations
- United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit