Development of Exposure Guidance for Warm Water Diving. Volume 2. System for Investigation of Divers' Behavior at Depth (SINDBAD) and Special Operations Forces (SOF) Mission-Related Performance Measures (MRPM)
Abstract
This report, Volume 2 of two, investigetes the effects of warm water diving on physical and cognitive performance. Method: This study was conducted in three phases. In Phase 1, 16 divers conducted 459 dives t from 94 to 101.5 F (34.4 to 38.6 C). In Phase 2, 21 divers in either dry suits or dive skins, conducted 522 dives in T of 96.5 F (35.9 C) and 99 F (37.2 5C), respectively. In Phase 3, 24 divers in different forms of USN diving dress completed 794 dives in T between 90 and 101.5 F (32.2 and 38.6 0C). Cognitive and physical testing was conducted with subtests from the System for Investigation of Divers' Behavior at Depth (SINOBAD) and the Special Operations Forces Mission Related Performance Measures (SOF MRPM( . The physiological performance is discussed in Volume 1 of this report. Results: Neither the SINDBAD nor the SOF MRPM subtests provided evidence of a T effect on cognitive performance. Because of marked changes in diver endurance and other physiological measures (see Volume 1 of this report), results were expected to show significant degradations as T and degrees of thermal protection (resulting from diver dress) increased. Conclusions: Although divers immersed in warm water can be hot and uncomfortable, as long as their core temperatures are kept below a maximum of 102 0F (38.9 C), the effects of T on cognitive performance appear to be minimal. After completing a warm water dive with active cooling, rehydration, and an extended recovery period, divers recover sufficiently to minimize performance decrements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA443072
Entities
People
- Edwin T. Long
- Paul O'connor
- Timothy C. Liberatore
Organizations
- United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit