A Facility And Program For Diving Biomedical Research
Authors: Stevenson H.S. 
Published: October 2008

DISCLAIMER

The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private ones of the writer and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Navy Dept. or the naval service in general.

A new deep-diving research facility is being constructed at the Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Md. The facility is known as the Environmental Health Effects Laboratory (EHEL). The EHEL consists of a man rated chamber system, 12 research laboratories, and 21 small animal chambers. The man rated and animal chambers are capable of simulating depths to 3,400 ft. A computer system is included also. The EHEL, together with a growing staff of research scientists and engineering support personnel provide the essential elements for a comprehensive program of basic science and advanced development in diving biomedicine.

The EHEL will be used in support of a scientific program directed toward (1) solution of current U. S. Navy diving operational problems that are biomedical in nature; (2) understanding the nature of physiological and behavioral phenomena encountered during currently achievable operational deep dives (1,000 to 1,500 ft); and (3) demonstrating man's capability to function at deep depths (target 2,500 ft). The program involves interrelated efforts in performance, thermal balance, respiratory and cardiovascular functions, hyperbaric toxicology, decompression, oxygen toxicity, and hyperbaric microbiology.

INTRODUCTION

During the past decade there has been tremendous advancement in diving technology and equipment. Further significant advancement in technology for deep diving is contingent upon understanding the human limitations imposed by pressure and how these limitations may be overcome by controlling the diving environment. The Navy and the diving industry must continue to eliminate these deficiencies if we are to appreciate fully man's capability to perform useful work in the ocean.

For many years the Navy has been an active participant in diving research at Navy laboratories and at various commercial and university laboratories. Today the frontiers of diving technology have progressed to such depths that few research organizations maintain the sophisticated and costly chamber systems required to support state-of-heart deep-diving research. In view of this, the Navy is constructing, at the Naval Medical Research Institute, a new hyperbaric research system that will provide a full range of diving research environments for man and animals. This facility is known as the Environmental Health Effects Laboratory (EHEL). Completion of construction is scheduled for June 1978. This paper presents a general description of the EHEL, a more detailed description of the man rated chamber system, and an outline of the program of diving biomedical research at the Naval Medical Research Institute.

EHEL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

General

The EHEL is being constructed under the management of the Chesapeake Div., Naval Facilities Engineering Command. Design was accomplished by Sanders and Thomas, Inc. The hyperbaric systems are being installed by John C. Grimberg Construction Co. The facility is a two-story structure with offices, 12 separate scientific laboratories and computer room on the upper floor.