Diving Operations Research Articles

The Influence ofAdvanced Hyperbaric Medical Training onArterial Gas Embolism Treatment.

3d Reconnaissance Battalion, a forward-deployed Marine Corps unit in Okinawa, Japan, frequently performs diving operations. Often throughout the year, several reconnaissance teams are diving simultaneously in different locations for training. We present a case of an otherwise healthy 30-year-old-male Reconnaissance Marine who surfaced from a dive with abnormal symptoms and received prompt care from exercise participants who were nonmedical personnel. Studies have demonstrated improved morbidity outcomes in decompression illness patients with shorter times to hyperbaric treatment following the onset of symptoms. High-risk military exercises with diving components have a mandatory safety structure that includes recompression chamber support. All United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance, Marine Corps Special Operations Command, and U.S. Navy dive operations are required to have at least one diving supervisor. To expand the diving capabilities of the unit, Marines are encouraged to attend training and qualify as diving supervisors. This case study demonstrates the efficacy and importance of training Recon Marines to recognize decompression illness as diving supervisors.

What makes scuba diving operations successful: The case of Portofino, Italy

The coastline of Portofino, Italy, a famous destination for the rich and famous, attracts thousands of visitors each year. Tourism product owners constitute a significant component of the competitive environment in this area in order to claim a piece of the tourism pie. For the local dive operators, the situation tends to be even more difficult when dealing with strict regulations concerning the marine protected area and a specific market. The identification of critical success factors could offer some insight into the management of these operations. In order to accomplish this, a qualitative research approach was followed by interviewing eight dive operators in the area of Portofino. It was clear that the critical success factor to manage a dive operation was unique to this area and differs from other tourism products by adopting a unique customer relations approach, an emphasis on safety, and the focus on providing a signature product. These results could assist managers of dive operations in identifying new opportunities in terms of management and sought out threats to the business.

Sustainable scuba diving tourism and resource use: Perspectives and experiences of operators in Mozambique and Italy

Scuba diving has attracted increased numbers of tourists on a global scale. While the beneficial as well as detrimental impacts of scuba diving tourism have been well documented, limited research attention is given to the perspectives of dive operators with respect to sustainable development. This study examined the perspectives and experiences of dive operators in relation to sustainable resource use in Mozambique and Italy, two countries that are home to popular coastal destinations and offshore marine parks. Interviews suggested that overall operators have positive attitudes towards sustainable resource use, engaging in actions such as deploying four-stroke engines, recycling equipment and waste, and favouring electric-over fuel-powered vehicles. Yet, they do not promote sustainable resource use at the dive centre, with reasons including limited time, lack of government incentives, and absence of rebate systems. Implications were discussed for sustainable diving operations in the study areas and generally.

What makes scuba diving operations successful: The case of Portofino, Italy

The coastline of Portofino, Italy, a famous destination for the rich and famous, attracts thousands of visitors each year. Tourism product owners constitute a significant component of the competitive environment in this area in order to claim a piece of the tourism pie. For the local dive operators, the situation tends to be even more difficult when dealing with strict regulations concerning the marine protected area and a specific market. The identification of critical success factors could offer some insight into the management of these operations. In order to accomplish this, a qualitative research approach was followed by interviewing eight dive operators in the area of Portofino. It was clear that the critical success factor to manage a dive operation was unique to this area and differs from other tourism products by adopting a unique customer relations approach, an emphasis on safety, and the focus on providing a signature product. These results could assist managers of dive operations in identifying new opportunities in terms of management and sought out threats to the business.

AN EXPERIENCE OF MEDICAL BACKUP OF DEEPWATER DIVING USING OPEN BREATHING OUTFITS UNDER ARCTIC CONDITIONS

To analyze the experience of medical backup provision to deep-water diving operations using outfits featuring open breathing with alternating artificial gas mixtures, seven divers of various ages and professional levels were examined. Their resistance to high pressure and their basal physiological conditions were assessed. Four of them were rated as highly resistant to high pressure, and three, as moderately resistant. Changes in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems in the course of diving were tested. During the tests, the divers that were rated as highly resistant to pressure managed to establish the record of under-ice diving depth: 102 meters.

Italian underwater exploration in Antarctica: scientific diving and ROV operations

Italian underwater exploration in Antarctica: scientific diving and ROV operations

Risk management for scuba diving operators on Australia's Great Barrier Reef

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most popular scuba diving destinations. Unfortunately, a series of recent diving injuries and deaths has tarnished the region's safety record. In particular, media attention surrounding the disappearance of American divers Thomas and Eileen Lonergan has focused attention on dive operators’ legal responsibilities and the consequences of failing to discharge their duty of care to customers. This paper briefly examines the relevant Australian law for recreational diving operations, and reviews risk management strategies that may reduce or prevent the occurrence of future problems.

THE TANK BARGE MCN-5: LESSONS IN SALVAGE AND RESPONSE OPERATIONS1

ABSTRACT On January 31, 1988, the tank barge MCN-5 capsized and sank in the Guemes Channel area of Puget Sound. The four weeks following the sinking presented the federal on-scene coordinator (OSC) and other federal, state, and local agencies responding to the incident with many lessons in diving, salvage, and spill response activities. The MCN-5 sank only a short time after it was loaded with approximately 9,800 barrels of heavy cycle gas oil (HCGO) at the Shell refinery near Anacortes. The HCGO presented unique problems due to its 1.086 specific gravity, which caused it to sink rather than float. In addition, the HCGO had been loaded on top of approximately 500 barrels of lighter oils remaining from previous cargos. This oil, although demonstrating normal floating characteristics, required the responding agencies to deal with both floating and sinking oil in the same response. Further, the response to the MCN-5 was complicated by extreme tidal currents that hampered diving and salvage operations, and required contingency planning to the extent possible for containment and recovery of the spilled oil of both types. This case history presents the problems encountered and the manner in which they were handled. It includes a description of the on-scene organization that successfully integrated federal, state, and local interests into a single force for dealing with the situation.

Project FAMOUS: Operational techniques and American submersible operations

The diving operations associated with Project FAMOUS utilized an advanced deep-diving submersible with many capabilities, including a highly accurate positioning system. As the capabilities and mode of operation of this submersible in the context of a major research project are not well known, the operational techniques are described in some detail. Project FAMOUS dive operations relied upon extensive regional and intermediate-scale surface-ship studies prior to and during the dive period. These provided the basic geological and geophysical context in which the studies by the submersible Alvin were placed. The detailed bathymetric charts provided by the U.S. Navy on the basis of multi–narrow-beam echo-sounding, precision submersible navigation, advanced submersible data logging, and post-cruise processing systems furnished an accurate frame of reference for the dive operations as well as for the subsequent studies of the tectonic and volcanic processes within the rift on a scale not hitherto possible. The integration of the dive data with this and other surface ship information was subject to various difficulties which are discussed. Dive tracks adjusted to the basic frame of reference of the Navy bathymetry, a revised bathymetric chart for the dive area, and sample locations and particulars are provided. The FAMOUS operations furnished, in addition to the scientific results, a much better understanding of the best mode of operation for detailed deep – sea-floor studies that utilize a combination of surface-ship and submersible techniques. The lessons learned during this project are discussed in some detail.

The influence of increased barometric pressure on man.―II

In a previous communication, we gave reasons for thinking that decompression symptoms may be avoided by maintaining a steady rate of 20 minutes per atmosphere during this process. The actual time selected was purely empirical, being based on the statistics of Caisson Works, Diving Operations, and Laboratory Experiments. It is clear that a more scientific foundation would be obtained if we could determine (1) the rate at which the tissue fluids are saturated with nitrogen; (2) the rapidity with which dissolved gas escapes during decompression. The most direct method would be to analyse samples of arterial blood under various pressure conditions; but this is not, unfortunately, practicable in the case of man. Another way is the examination of venous samples under similar circumstances. This plan can be followed, and we hope to communicate some results in another paper, but the technic is difficult and still in need of improvement. A third line of research is the indirect determination of the tissue gases, and this will be discussed in the present communication.