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Status of Research in Underwater Physiology, Prepared for the Office of Naval Research, Washington, D. C. by the Physiology Group, Panel on Underwater Swimmers, Committee on Undersea Warfare (1956) / Chapter Skim
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THE PROBLEMS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Pages 1-4

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From page 1...
... Each type of equipment employed to provide a respirable medium underwater introduces its own peculiar emphasis upon one or more of the stresses encountered, further altering the diver's reaction to his environment. The baseline of simple existence underwater upon which performance of useful work is based consists, therefore, of changing interrelationships of such factors as the rate of descent and ascent, depth and duration of diving, hydrostatic and inertial forces, individual and composite gas toxicities, the degree of physical exercise, type of breathing apparatus, and temperature, as well as physiological, psychological, and other factors not yet identified.
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From page 2...
... Nitrogen at high partial pressures appears to reduce pulmonary ventilation and respiratory exchange to the extent that carbon dioxide tension is increased, which in turn may shorten the latent period for oxygen toxicity. Alternation of high and low partial pressures of oxygen and nitrogen during a single exposure appear to relieve this situation, but detailed study is needed
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From page 3...
... A need for further work in this field is evidenced by the frequent subjective observations of air hunger and respiratory fatigue, particularly under conditions of heavy exercise underwater. A study of the flow characteristics of various respirable gases at elevated ambient pressures under conditions of constantly changing velocities in both the respiratory airways and breathing apparatus is indicated.
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From page 4...
... Studies aimed at extending the useful time of exposure to cold water could profitably proceed along the two lines of improvement in compact, lightweight, flexible exposure suits and the use of physical and/or chemical devices for reducing body heat loss. Special problems include the maintenance of manual dexterity and tactile sense, particularly of the fingers, during exposures to cold water.
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Key Terms

  • underwater physiology
  • cold water
  • partial pressures
  • breathing apparatus
  • useful work

  • ambient pressures
  • oxygen toxicity
  • decompression following
  • underwater breathing
  • existence underwater

  • underwater remain
  • water breathing
  • medium underwater
  • current decompression
  • air decompression

  • underwater swimmers
  • respiration underwater
  • decompression current
  • underwater introduces
  • increased adverse

  • human physiology
  • various respirable
  • sion require
  • respiratory exchange
  • density alter

  • body temperature
  • respirable gases
  • standard air
  • breathing mixture
  • normal pressures


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