OPTIMIZATION OF SCIENTIFIC DIVERS DESCENTS MODE FOR CONDUCTING UNDERWATER OCEANOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Authors

  • B. O. Yakhontov Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29006/1564-2291.JOR-2025.53(4).15

Keywords:

underwater oceanological research, scientific diver, optimization of the descent mode, non-stop decompression, oxygen-nitrogen mixture, safety of diving descents

Abstract

The aim of the study is to optimize the diving mode of scientific divers to increase their safety and effectiveness of oceanological research under water. The study is based on the analysis of the results of divers’ descents in Russian marine areas during many years of work on programs for the development of diving descent methods for scientific and other purposes. The justification of the working depth limit for scientific divers is given. The optimization of the descent mode is realized by observing several conditions: limiting the depth and time of work under water, non-stop decompression of the diver, descents with a partner and the exclusion of repeated descents during the day. These conditions should be regime obligations for the head of the descents and the scientific divers themselves. The most important obligation is shortterm non-stop decompression, which is reduced to 2–4 minutes of transition from the ground to the surface. The modes are intended for their practical use by scientific divers after working at depths in the range of 30 meters when breathing air or 40 % oxygen-nitrogen mixture from the apparatus. These decompression modes also determine the maximum allowable time spent by a scientific diver underwater for research purposes. Optimized by the acceptance of all these obligations, the general regime of descents ensures an increase in the safety of inexperienced scientific divers, as well as the effectiveness of research in the study of the ocean and the coastal zone of the shelf.

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Published

2025-12-21

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 4 (2025): Journal of Oceanological Research

Section

Marine techniques

License

Transfer of copyrights occurs on the basis of a license agreement between the Author and Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, RAS