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Thermal loss in Antarctic divers.

A F Dick

    The Medical Journal of Australia
    |March 17, 1984
    PubMed
    Summary

    Antarctic diving operations pose hypothermia risks. However, current practices and equipment show only minor rectal temperature drops, suggesting significant hypothermia is unlikely.

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    Fitness changes in an Australian Antarctic expedition.

    European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiologyยท1985
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    Area of Science:

    • Physiology
    • Marine Biology
    • Polar Science

    Background:

    • Hypothermia is a significant risk during Antarctic diving operations.
    • Assessing the impact of cold-water immersion on body temperature is crucial for diver safety.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To measure rectal temperature changes in divers before and after Antarctic dives.
    • To evaluate the risk of hypothermia in current Antarctic diving protocols.

    Main Methods:

    • Rectal temperature measurements were taken on two Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) expeditioners.
    • Temperature data was collected prior to and following dives in Antarctic waters.

    Main Results:

    • Only minor decreases in rectal temperature were observed post-dive.
    • The observed temperature changes suggest limited heat loss during dives with current methods.

    Conclusions:

    • Current Antarctic diving practices and equipment appear to mitigate the risk of significant hypothermia.
    • Divers undertaking operations with existing protocols are unlikely to experience severe cold stress.

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