Unmanned Evaluation of Select Commercially Available Open Circuit Scuba Regulators for Cold Water Diving
Abstract
This report summarizes the results for five preselected commercially available open circuit scuba regulator models that were tested to determine their suitability for U. S. Navy diving. Five units of each model regulator were tested in both cold (38 deg F) and freezing (29 deg F) water. To emulate the ventilation of a diver, a breathing simulator with a sinusoidal breathing pattern was used, and the exhaled gas was heated and humidified. Freeze-up testing was conducted in freezing water, at a ventilation rate of 62.5 liters per minute (L/min) to a depth of 198 feet of seawater (fsw). To assess the resistive effort at various ventilation rate and volume combinations ranging from 22.5 to 90 L/min, resistive effort tests were performed in cold water from the surface to 198 fsw, with stops made every 33 fsw,. Two regulator models are recommended for use in freezing water.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA549745
Entities
People
- Vince Ferris
Organizations
- United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit