Diver Worn Equipment for Diving in Chemical/Biological, Toxic Industrial Chemical and Toxic Industrial Material (TIC/TIM)

"Recent events have highlighted the need to protect divers in working environments that have been contaminated with biological or chemical toxins and/or other hazardous materials (HAZMATs). Paragon Space Development Corporation (PSDC), with extensiveexperience in space suit design and diving systems, has completed preliminary engineering and design work for a demand regulator and exhaust valve system. The proposed system completely isolates the breathing gas system from the contaminated environment.Further, it provides continuous monitoring of all critical seals and can provide warning of a breach anywhere in the diving suit.PSDC proposes to conduct laboratory and field evaluations to demonstrate that their Regulated Surface Exhaust (RSE) System, including the helmet interfaces, do not permit contaminants to enter the breathing loop. Phase I investigations will includeevaluation of candidate components and subsystems, engineering optimization of the proposed design, and prototype development. RSE testing with the UBA MK 21 MOD 1 diving helmet will occur in Phase II. In Phase III, we will test a fully demonstrated anddocumented RSE system (production design) with the UBA MK 21 MOD 1. All phases will include investigation for chemically hardening the helmet and helmet/suit interface prior to diving, and decontaminating the system after exposure. The proposed system affords complete isolation of the breathing gas system from the contam