Physiological Monitoring to Accelerate Safe Decompression

Despite over 100 years of research, decompression sickness (DCS) remains the mission-limiting factor in the design and execution of many military and commercial dives. Decompression time is currently dictated by dive tables, developed around acceptable risk using population-wide statistics. In consequence, dive tables are very conservative: a table designed for a 2% DCS incidence risk is longer than necessary 98% of the time. Decompression schedules tailored to the individual’s real-time physiological state—?personalized decompression profiles—have the potential to vastly accelerate safe decompression. We propose to develop the wireless diver physiology monitor (WDPM). The WDPM monitors key physiological parameters that correlate with DCS risk. Physiological feedback will allow for individualized decompression: minimizing decompression obligation while monitoring and maintaining the safety of the diver. A key innovation with the WDPM is the elimination of wires—all sensors, circuits, and batteries are encapsulated in a waterproof housing. Communication between sensor nodes takes place via a novel wireless communication system.