[Evaluation of diving stress implication of analysis of work loads]

An investigation was conducted on the actual diving conditions of 2,996 divers in Japan except those engaged in fishery. Results of analysis made on the diving profiles and actual working conditions showed that some of their jobs required heavy load and that the burden was excessively large. Little study has been made for the proper evaluation of diving stress or work loads, but it has been assumed from these limited studies that the load is not so heavy. The load has been generally estimated to be about 1.8l/min STPD of oxygen consumption (VO2) during 40 l/min STPD of expiratory gas volume/min (VE). In our examination of their actual diving work, their work load was far greater than our expectation. It was in practice not only difficult to obtain the actual VO2 but also very difficult to determine their actual fatigue. Instead of these, it is necessary to establish an adequate index for evaluating diving work load. Studies have been made in our laboratory since 1981 and regression equations have been finally obtained, by which load during diving work can be determined using heart rate as index. Seven healthy males were chosen as subjects of the present study having a mean age of 34.4 yr and a mean diving history of 7.3 yr. First, performance time was acquired in each subject by bicycle ergometer exercise and the maximalen oxygen consumption (VO2-max) was obtained. In the second step, VO2-max was obtained by using the regulator apparatus for breathing during SCUBA diving. This value was 86.1% of the first step. The third step was made in a swimming pool.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)