Submarine Medicine Practice, NAVMED-P 5054, 1956, was prepared for the training and orientation of medical personnel to the unique problems associated with diving and submarine life. For this online version we have omitted the extensive first part dealing with deep sea and scuba diving. We have included only the second part on submarine medicine. This was done as an economy of effort as there are numerous other dive medicine references available, but little on submarine medicine. It provides a unique view into the conditions aboard US Diesel submarines.
The information in this manual represents the state of the understanding in 1956, it should not be used as a basis of clinical practice.
In this online version of the manual we have attempted to keep the flavor of the original layout while taking advantage
of the Web's universal accessibility. Different browsers and fonts will cause
the text to move, but the text will remain roughly where it is in the original
manual. We have not attempted to correct any errors found in the original document. However, this text was captured by optical character recognition and then encoded for the Web which has added new errors we wish to correct.
Please report any typos, or particularly annoying layout issues with the Mail Feedback Form for correction.
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1956
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office
Washington 25, D. C. - Price $2.00
This page left blank
PREFACE
The purpose of this text is to present a comprehensive guide which can be
utilized for training and indoctrinating regular and reserve Medical Department
personnel with the many intricate problems connected with submarine medicine
practice.
An attempt has been made to assemble in this volume the highlights of
latest developments and the accumulated knowledge and experience resulting
from years of research and investigations. Much has been accomplished in
this respect since 1917, the year organized studies in the medical problems of
undersea warfare were first initiated, but recent ventures and developments in
underwater military operations demand an even greater surveillance of the
medical problems involved. For the medical officer interested in the solution
of these many unsolved problems, submarine (underwater) medicine practice
offers a most challenging and fertile field. Increasing cruising range and prolonged submergence of modern submarines, penetration of greater depths by
the deep sea diver, and the expanding practice of underwater swimming demand
continued research effort and a promise of rich rewards for the individual
investigator.
These discussions include personnel selection and assessment procedures,
improvement of submarine habitability factors, solution of human engineering
problems aboard submarines, submarine escape and rescue operations, and the
medical aspects of all other undersea operational problems directed toward the
improvement of the military effectiveness of the Submarine and Amphibious
Forces.
This manual was prepared under the auspices of the Bureau of Medicine
and Surgery for publication by the Bureau of Naval Personnel. However,
credit for the actual accumulation of data and overall preparation involved
should be given to the staffs of the U. S. Naval Medical Research Laboratory,
U. S. Naval Submarine Base, New London, Conn.; and to the Experimental
Diving Unit and the U. S. Naval School, Deep Sea Divers, Naval Gun Factory,
Washington, D. C.
iii
SPECIAL NOTE
The decimal system of indices used throughout this text, and the separate
index with the table of contents which precedes each chapter are used primarily for purposes of simplification. This arrangement is designed for the
convenience of the student, to simplify the process of locating the specific text
required in resolving the problems presented in this course.
The first of three figures of a given reference indicates the number of the
chapter. A second decimal digit denotes the primary proposition under discussion within the chapter. The third and last number refers to a further
exposition of problems related to the same subject. For example, the "5" in
the group of figures 5.1.2 refers to the overall material contained in chapter 5,
"Helium-Oxygen Diving." The second and third figures refer to the sub-headings "General Considerations" and the "Development and Principles" of
helium-oxygen diving.
References are frequently made to the Bureau of Ships Diving Manual,
and to the Manual of the Medical Department which are indicated by the abbreviations DM or MMD. For example, DM-825 refers to Bureau of Ships
Diving Manual, paragraph 825. Likewise, MMD-15-30 refers to chapter 15,
article 30 of the Manual of the Medical Department.
Several of the chapters have a list of references to books and medical
journal articles. When these are specifically mentioned in the text, numbers
(such as 12b) are used. In this case, the reference would be "b" in the list at
the end of chapter 12. Other book references are similarly cited.
iv
CONTENTS
Part 1-Section 1
DEEP SEA DIVING AND UNDERWATER MEDICINE PRACTICE
Page
CHAPTER 1.-General Information
1
CHAPTER 2.-Medical Aspects of Diving
29
CHAPTER 3.-Navy Standard Decompression Tables
51
CHAPTER 4.-The Dive
59
CHAPTER 5.-Helium-Oxygen Diving
69
CHAPTER 6.-Diving Accidents and Safety Precautions
97
Part 1-Section 2
DIVING WITH SELF-CONTAINED UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS
Page
CHAPTER 7.-Diving with Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
125
CHAPTER 8.-Types of Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
133
CHAPTER 9.-Selection and Training for the Use of Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
147
CHAPTER 10.-Safety Considerations in the Use of SCUBA
153
CHAPTER 11.-Specific Medical Problems in the Use of SCUBA
163
CHAPTER 12.-Physiological Considerations in the Design and Evaluation of Breathing Apparatus
185
CHAPTER 13.-Decompression in Air Diving with Self-Contained Apparatus
211
CHAPTER 14.-Oxygen Tolerance
221
CHAPTER 15.-Gas Mixtures in Self-Contained Diving
227
CHAPTER 16.-Protective Clothing and Other Accessories