Accession Number:

ADA561757

Title:

Pulmonary Effects of Multilevel HeO2 Dives Using the MK 16 MOD 1 UBA

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept. Oct-Dec 2009

Corporate Author:

NAVY EXPERIMENTAL DIVING UNIT PANAMA CITY FL

Personal Author(s):

• Shykoff, Barbara

Report Date:

2011-02-01

Pagination or Media Count:

24.0

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.

Descriptors:

• *PULMONARY FUNCTION
• BREATHING APPARATUS
• BREATHING GASES
• DECOMPRESSION
• DIVING
• EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
• HELIUM
• OXYGEN

Subject Categories:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Medicine and Medical Research
• Marine Engineering
• Life Support Systems

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE