Energy expenditure and fluid production in hyperbaric He-O2 environments using doubly labeled water

Energy expenditure (EE), carbon dioxide production (rCO2), water turnover (rH2O), and urine production (UP) were measured to determine nutrient requirements of U.S. Navy divers during saturation dives. Parameters were measured in a normal surface environment (n = 10) and in 0.56 MPa (n = 9) and 3.17 MPa (n = 11) helium-oxygen environments. Daily EE, rCO2, and rH2O were measured with the doubly labeled water method for 10-14 days in each environment. Daily UP was determined by 24-h urine collection for 5- to 10-day periods in each environment. Divers consumed a mixed diet composed of 30% calories from fat, 15% protein, and 55% carbohydrate. Both EE and rCO2 increased significantly relative to surface conditions at 0.56 MPa (13 +/- 4% and 11 +/- 4%) and 3.17 MPa (14 +/- 4% and 11 +/- 3%), but there was no difference between dives. Water turnover was not significantly affected by the hyperbaric environment. UP was significantly greater than surface conditions at 0.56 MPa (53 +/- 19%) but not at 3.17 MPa (38 +/- 18%). Increased EE is attributed to thermal stress caused by the helium-oxygen environment. Increased UP may have been caused by decreased evaporative water loss.