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Published on: October 31, 2011
Quantifying drysuit seal pressures in non-immersed scuba divers
Derek B Covington1,2, Matthew Spears3, Richa Wardhan3
1Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Hyperbaric and Environmental Physiology, Duke University, Durham (NC), USA.
Drysuit seals exert significant pressure on the neck and wrists, potentially causing adverse physiological effects like dizziness and nerve injury. Divers should ensure proper seal fit to prevent these risks.
Area of Science:
- Diving Medicine
- Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Drysuits utilize flexible seals at the neck and wrists for water-tightness.
- Excessive seal pressure can lead to adverse physiological effects, including dizziness, syncope, and hand paresthesias.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the seal pressures exerted by neck and wrist seals in non-immersed divers.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 33 diving volunteers.
- Measured vital signs and seal pressures using a manometer system.
Main Results:
- Mean wrist seal pressures were 38.8 mmHg (right) and 37.6 mmHg (left).
- Average neck seal pressure was 23.7 mmHg.
- Latex seals showed higher, though not statistically significant, pressures than silicone seals.
Conclusions:
- Drysuit seal pressures are sufficiently high to cause vascular implications and potential peripheral nerve injury.
- Divers should properly trim seals and monitor for symptoms of excessive pressure.
- Further research is needed to explore the influence of seal material on pressure magnitude.
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