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Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Training Rats to Voluntarily Dive Underwater: Investigations of the Mammalian Diving Response
Published on: November 12, 2014
Psycho-sensorimotor performance in divers exposed to six and seven atmospheres absolute of compressed air
1Laboratoire de Biologie des Hautes Pressions, CNRS URA 1330, Faculté de Médecine Nord, Marseille, France.
Abstract:
In the present study, we investigated the psycho-sensorimotor abilities of divers exposed to 6 ATA (50 m of sea water; corresponding to legal limit for occupational diving in North America, United Kingdom, and Northern Europe), or 7 ATA (60 m; the legal limit in France and Southern Europe) of compressed air (1 ATA = 100,000 Pa), using psychometric tests of manual dexterity, visual choice reaction time, and number ordination. The results of the present study showed that abilities in these tests were not significantly altered by pressure exposure to 6 ATA of compressed air. However, data obtained at 7 ATA showed slight but significant decreases in performance. Nevertheless, a few subjects presented large decreases in performance ranging from -20% to -25% of control. Finally, our results supported the ergonomic point of view that the laws limiting occupational diving to 6 ATA (50 m) are better adapted to reality and the requirements of underwater activity.
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