Pulmonary Effects of Multilevel HeO2 Dives Using the MK 16 MOD 1 UBA
Abstract
Flow-volume parameters were measured before and after a series of HeO2 decompression dives that had been approved by the Institutional Review Board at Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU). Divers also were asked about inspiratory burning, cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and rapid, shallow breathing. The dives were conducted in the Ocean Simulation Facility at NEDU, and had total dive times with PO2 = 1.3 atm between 6.5 and 7 hours. Data were obtained from 89 dives using four different dive profiles and 55 divers. Details are provided by profile. In aggregate, on the day of diving, 25% of the divers reported respiratory symptoms, and 19% showed decreases in one or more indices of pulmonary function: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expired volume in one second (FEV1), forced expired flow between 25% and 75% of volume expired (FEF25-75),and peak forced expired flow (FEFmax). On the day following the dive, 9.6% of subjects reported respiratory symptoms,19% showed decreases in one or more of those indices, and 8.2% reported exercise intolerance. These values are consistent with those from other studies of similar duration and PO2 but with N2O2 or O2 as breathing gas, studies in which 30% to 50% of subjects had experienced symptoms and 20% to 30% had deficits in pulmonary function immediately after diving.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA561757
Entities
People
- Barbara Shykoff
Organizations
- United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit