Contaminated Water Protection System for Free-Swimming Diver

Paragon will leverage hardware solutions developed and tested for the existing Navy Paragon Dive System Open Circuit Umbilical supplied demand UBA for diving in contaminated Category I & II waters. Hoses, seals, valves and materials from this system can be used to serve virtually every function required to modify existing Closed Circuit UBA and dry suit systems to create what we have termed the Paragon Expeditionary Dive System. With hardening solutions and water contaminant valves already in place, Paragon will use its unique life support experience to address the additional physiological design challenges imposed by the closed circuit system to provide a better integrated, and more efficient system without compromising any portion of the diver’s effectiveness. Innovations include a contaminant compatible integrated mask and hood that, despite being a closed system, allows equalization of pressure, mask defogging, CO2 flush, and sufficient movement. An affordable dry suit (cost and maintenance) is also proposed with adequate protective characteristics, suit vent / buoyancy control, and valving / filter for protection against back contamination of the counter lung. Given directly relevant experience and hardware, Paragon is uniquely positioned to provide a feasible total system solution that is obtainable within the SBIR program.