RR1073 - The provision of breathing gas to divers in emergency situations
The report examined the diving industry guidance provided to divers and supervisors in the amount and method of determining how much emergency gas a diver can require. A literature search was carried out into the human gas consumption rate as measured in scientific studies of workers, divers and athletes. Data was also sourced from operators and divers using dive computers with gas integration.
The data from the guidance, scientific studies, operators and live data from divers are compared to provide a recommended gas consumption rate that industry can use to plan the volume of gas to be available to a diver in an emergency. It was found that some industry sectors could increase the recommended gas consumption rate to provide sufficient gas to a diver in an emergency.
How the gas is provided to the diver in an emergency is discussed. Current industry practices across the different sectors use a wide range of methods, some of which could be improved. The sizes of gas containers, the pressure that containers can be charged to, along with how gas can be passed to the diver are covered. A standardised coupling is recommended to allow connection between a diver and an emergency gas supply.
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