[Prevention of decompression sickness as applied to conditions of multiple space walks]

Six 3-day experiments were carried out in an altitude chamber in which 6 test subjects took part. The experiments simulated repeated extra-vehicular activities--intensive work at an altitude of 10,000 m in a helmet or at an altitude of 40,000 m on a space suit pressurized at 200 mm Hg. It was demonstrated that altitude decompression could be prevented by desaturation--prolonged exposure to the hypobaric atmosphere (430 mm Hg) and 100% O2 or a 40% O2 and 60% N2 mixture. During the 3-day experiment the test subjects made seven 3--4 hour excursions, showing no symptoms of decompression disease.