Detection of urinary volume and electrolyte excretion of the divers in the He-O2 simulated saturation dive

Abstract

Objective To investigate the value of urinary volume and electrolyte excretion detection for medical intervention of the divers in the 2.6 MPa simulated He-O2 saturation dive.Methods Seven healthy male divers participated in the 2.6 MPa(250 msw) simulated saturation dive.Morning urine and 24 h urine samples were collected everyday,before,during,and after the dive.Then,urine routine,urine volume and electrolyte excretion,such as sodium,potassium,chlorine,calcium,phosphorus,magnesium,as well as the contents of creatinine and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase( NAG)were analyzed.Results No significant changes in the urine routine of the divers were detected during the 2.6 to 2.0 MPa hyperbaric exposures.Urine volume increased slightly,but without statistical significance,when the divers were exposed to a pressure greater than 2.0 MPa( P ＞ 0.05 ).The excretion of sodium,potassium,chlorine,calcium,magnesium and NAG decreased during exposure ( vs basic value,P ＜ 0.05 ),with the decreasing of calcium more prominently and for a longer duration.However,urinary electrolyte excretion recovered to normal level one week after the dive.Conclusions Results indicate that urine volume and electrolyte excretion fluctuated during the simulated 2.6 MPa He-O2saturation exposure.Monitoring of the changes in urine volume and contents could provide some evidence for the medical intervention of exposed divers,for this reason,it is helpful to the monitoring of the physical fitness of divers. Key words: Saturation dive; Urine electrolytes Urinary volume