Respiratory function during simulated wet dives

This presentation focuses on the effects of static lung loading (SLL) on diver performance. It is noted that SLL may arise from depth differences between the diver's chest and his breathing gear. Studies are reviewed in which subjects undergoing wet, simulated dives in a pressure chamber were exposed to SLL ranging from 14.7 to -14.7 mmHg (+20 to -20 cmH2O) while breathing air at depths down to 58 m (190 ft). The subjects, assuming a prone or an upright position, performed leg exercise on an underwater bicycle ergometer. Various measurements of respiratory function were made. By applying a scoring scale for dyspnea it was found that in addition to being more pronounced as exercise and depth (gas density) increased, the dyspnea was most pronounced with negative SLL. Positive SLL alleviated the dyspnea. The dyspnea also tended to be more pronounced in the prone than in the upright posture. It was speculated that this may have been partly due to more of a compression effect on the extra thoracic airways by water pressure in the former than in the latter posture. There were no marked differences in gas exchange and end-tidal gas concentrations with different static lung loads, and it was hypothesized that differences in respiratory muscular strain may have accounted for the differences in dyspnea with different SLLs. That the dyspnea was inspiratory in nature would agree with the observation that positive SLL aiding inspiration would be perceived as beneficial. A breathing apparatus design that counteracts undesirable SLL is reviewed.