Decompression Tables for Diving at Altitude

Three different types of experiments will be performed:

(A). Testing of Cross corrections breathing air at 8,000 (0.743 ATA) and 10,000 ft (0.688
ATA). Subjects will be decompressed in a hypobaric chamber to one of the altitudes above. A
no-stop dive to 60 fsw will be tested at each altitude (2.82 ATA at sea level, 2.56 ATA at
8,000 ft, 2.51 ATA at 10,000 ft). Using the Cross corrections, the virtual depth for both
altitudes is 90 fsw, for which the no-stop time is 30 minutes. During the dive the subject
will be immersed/submersed at rest/mild exercise in 28°C water. Ascent rate will be 30
fsw/min. Upon surfacing the diver will be monitored for 12 hours for symptoms of
decompression sickness and transthoracic echocardiography (rest and leg/arm motion) to
examine for venous gas embolism (VGE) at 5, 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes after surfacing. After
that, measurements will be continued until no bubbles are detected.

(B). Testing of a no-stop dive to 100 fsw at 10,000 ft and 12,000 ft breathing 35% O2. For
this series of experiments all subjects will remain at altitude for 48 hours before diving,
in order to allow for resolution of AMS symptoms. Appropriate depth-time profiles have been
assessed by calculating the equivalent sea level air depth for each of these dives (PN2
values 2.42 and 2.36 ATM, respectively). These yield equivalent air depths of 68 and 66 fsw,
respectively. Cross corrected virtual depths would therefore be 99 and 104 fsw, yielding
no-stop times of 25 and 20 minutes, respectively. The Cross correction method will be used in
this instance because, although largely untested, it is presently in use by the Navy. As with
the air dives described above, the more provocative dives (12,000 ft) will be completed
before the ones at 10,000 ft, which will increase the confidence for the bottom time used at
the lower altitude.

(C). Testing to determine whether a high PO2 dive would reverse altitude acclimatization and
re-establish susceptibility to AMS. Subjects will ascend in the chamber to 15,000 ft in a
graded fashion over 12 hours (15,000 ft has been chosen due to extensive Duke experience with
this altitude). Then, after 48 hours they will simulate a hyperoxic dive by breathing 100% O2
for 120 minutes at 1.3 ATA. This will simulate, for example, a 2 hour dive at 12,000 ft to 65
fsw breathing 50% O2. The diver will then return to 15,000 ft and remain at that altitude for
24 hours to allow for AMS symptoms to recur (if indeed they do). Lake Louise AMS scores will
be collected every 8 hours. AMS symptoms will be treated with acetaminophen, NSAIDs and
anti-emetics as needed. Subjects will be assessed clinically every 12 hours for high altitude
pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Occurrence of either HAPE or
HACE will require that the subject be returned immediately to 1 ATA and treated
appropriately.

Inclusion Criteria:

Exclusion Criteria:

- smoking, cardiorespiratory disease (including hypertension, airways obstruction),
seizure disorder, pregnancy, history of middle ear or sinus disease or high altitude
cerebral or pulmonary edema (HACE, HAPE), inability to perform middle ear
autoinflation, anemia, sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait. Individuals with
VO2peak <35 mL.kg-1.min-1 (males) and <30 mL.kg-1.min-1 (females)