Diver Monitoring Systems, On-Line and Portable for Thermal and Metabolic Measurements

• Main Authors: Braun, James R., Sterba, John A.
• Other Authors: NAVY EXPERIMENTAL DIVING UNIT PANAMA CITY FL
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1990
• Subjects: Medicine and Medical Research; Life Support Systems; *TEST AND EVALUATION; REQUIREMENTS; MEASUREMENT; TEMPERATURE; LABORATORY TESTS; CORES; MONITORING; REAL TIME; FIELD TESTS; METABOLISM; OXYGEN; PROFILES; THERMISTORS; PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS; PRESSURE; LOW LEVEL; INSTRUMENTATION; CIRCUITS; ONLINE SYSTEMS; RESPIRATION; CONNECTORS; HEAT FLUX; HEART RATE; BOTTLES; DIVERS; SOLID STATE ELECTRONICS; UNDERWATER; SPRINGS; ARCTIC REGIONS; WATERPROOFING; FEET; OXYGEN CONSUMPTION; BAGS; BODY TEMPERATURE; YELLOW(COLOR); FINGERS; THERMAL PROPERTIES; PERFORMANCE; THERMAL BALANCE; Arctic
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA230030; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA230030

Physiological evaluation of diver performance required designing a portable diver monitoring system (P-DMS) for field use and an on-line diver monitoring system (O-DMS) for laboratory studies. For P-DMS and O-MDS, measurement requirements were similar: digit temperature (fingers/toes), body core temperature (esophageal/rectal), heart rate, and oxygen bottle pressure to determine oxygen consumption (VO2) using closed circuit underwater breathing apparatuses. Components of the P-DMS, reviewed in detail, include: solid-state data logger (Grant Instruments), waterproof bag with low-profile connector, special design miniaturized digit thermistors (Yellow Springs Instruments). Data can be stored, on multiple runs, up to 12 hours. Results from field testing in the Arctic and laboratory are discussed. The O-DMS provides real-time monitoring and computer acquisition of data from two divers for: digit/core temperatures, 12-site skin temperature and heat flux, and oxygen bottle pressure for VO2.