Method reduces required saturation time from three days to six hours and also reduces required decompression time. Waiting time for planning underwater research is therefore reduced, and emergency surfacing is possible

Edel, P. O.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

August 1971
	 Brief 71-10330 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Manned Spacecraft Center
	
-icv 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield; Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology. Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
New Method Speeds Body Inert Gas Saturation 
and Utilizes Surface Decompression 
A method has been developed which reduces the 
time required to achieve a state of total saturation of 
body tissues with inert gas and which permits surface 
decompression to reachieve compatibility with standard 
atmosphere. An increase in the environment pressure 
during the saturation period and alternate use of air and 
oxygen during decompression are utilized. 
Present saturation techniques require three days to 
achieve total nitrogen saturation of a diver's tissues. 
. The new method reduces the required time to six hours 
and also reduces the required decompression time. Thus 
waiting time for planned underwater research is reduced 
and emergency surfacing is made possible. 
The rate of nitrogen saturation is dependent upon 
the partial pressure of the gas in the environment. In the 
rapid saturation method, this partial pressure is increased 
by increasing the diver's depth during the process. After 
total saturation is achieved, he rises to the working 
depth.
This information may be of use to those segments 
of the scientific and industrial communities engaging in
underwater research, exploration or construction as a 
means of increasing personnel availability and safety. 
Note:
Requests for further information may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Manned Spacecraft Center, Code JM7 
Houston, Texas 77058 
Reference: TSP71 -10330 
Patent source: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: Peter 0. Edel

and J. Marine Diving Co., Inc.

under contract to

Manned Spacecraft Center

(MSC-13543 & 13544) 
Category: 05 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United 'States
	 will be free from privately ownedrights.
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New method speeds body inert gas saturation and utilizes surface decompression

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