Sleep patterns during 30-m nitrox saturation dives and in a confined atmospheric environment

Sleep patterns during saturation dives equivalent to a 30-m depth (pressurized condition) and habitation in a confined environment at 1 atm absolute pressure (non-pressurized condition) were studied to determine the effects of environmental pressure. Eight inexperienced divers experienced the pressurized condition of the saturation dives, and nine healthy subjects experienced the non-pressurized condition. Standard polysomnographs were recorded for 262 nights. For both conditions, reductions in total sleep time accompanied by lengthening in sleep latency and reduction in sleep efficiency were observed from the latter part of the experiments through to the recovery periods. These findings suggest that changes were related to psychological and physiological stresses caused by long stays in a confined environment and not by the environmental pressure.