Proceedings of Validation of Dive Computers Workshop 24 August 2011, Gdansk, Poland S. Lesley Blogg, Michael A. Lang and Andreas Møllerløkken EDITORS Sponsorship: Norwegian University of Science and Technology Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority The publication of the Proceedings of the Validation of Dive Computer Workshop is co- sponsored by NTNU and the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority. The symposium was convened by the Baromedical and Environmental Physiology Group of NTNU on August 24, 2011, at the 37th Annual Meeting of the European Underwater and Baromedical Society in Gdansk, Poland. Blogg, S.L., M.A. Lang, and A. Møllerløkken, editors. 2012. Proceedings of the Validation of Dive Computers Workshop. August 24, 2011, European Underwater and Baromedical Society Symposium, Gdansk. Trondheim: Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Published for the Norwegian University of Science and Technology by: Akademika forlag Nardovegen 12 Postboks 2461 Sluppen NO-7005 Trondheim, Norway Compilation copyright © Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Cover image: Electronic Dive Guide (EDGE) computer by ORCA Industries, 1983. Contents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................…………………………………………………………v DEDICATION ………………………………………………………………………………vii PARTICIPANTS ……………………………………………………………………………ix EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ……….…………………………………………………………xi Introduction Andreas Møllerløkken …..….…………………………………………………………...13 Dive Computer Validation Procedures R.W. Bill Hamilton …..…………………………………………….……………………15 Dive Computer Considerations Karl E. Huggins ..………………………………………………………………………..19 Dive Computers: The Need for Validation and Standards Arne Sieber Milena Stoianova Ewald Jöbstl Elaine Azzopardi Martin D.J. Sayer Matthias F. Wagner ....................….…………………………………………………….29 DISCUSSION SESSION 1 ..………….……………………………………………………..45 U.S. Navy Dive Computer Validation David J. Doolette Keith A. Gault Wayne A. Gerth F. Greg Murphy …………….…………………………………………………………..51 Validation of Dive Computer Algorithms Sergio A. Angelini .……………………………...………………………………………..63 DISCUSSION SESSION 2 …….……………………...……………………………………87 The Use of Venous Gas Emboli to Validate Dive Computers S. Lesley Blogg Andreas Møllerløkken ………………………….……….………………………………..93 Dive Computer Use in Recreational Diving: Insights from the DAN-DSL Database Costantino Balestra …..……..………………………….………………………………..99 Dive Computer Program Management in Scientific Diving Michael A. Lang ……………………………………….………………………………..103 PLENARY DISCUSSION ………………………….…....……………………………….111 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ……………..……………………………….125 Acknowledgments The workshop organizers would like to extend their appreciation for the financial support of the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority and sponsorship by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The local host of the 37th Annual Meeting of the European Underwater and Baromedical Society in Gdansk, Dr. Jacek Kot, was most helpful in supporting this workshop. We thank the workshop presenters and participants for their contributions to the overall success of the discussions on the validation of dive computers. This workshop was organized and conducted by Andreas Møllerløkken and Lesley Blogg, co-moderated by Michael Lang and Karl Huggins, and co-edited by Lesley Blogg, Michael Lang and Andreas Møllerløkken. Dedication The Proceedings of the EUBS Workshop on Validation of Dive Computers is dedicated to Dr. R.W. ‘Bill’ Hamilton (1930-2011), whose intellect, compassion, and love of life will not soon be forgotten. On September 16, 2011, Bill passed away surrounded by his family and close friends, a mere three weeks after he and Kathy participated in this workshop in Gdansk, Poland. Billy Bob was special. By the way, do you know any other 81-year-olds who still updated their resumes? It’s often said that people mellow with age. The exact opposite is true of Billy Bob who productively used every waking minute of every day. When asked which approach to decompression was the best idea or theory his response represented his sense of humor and operational experience: “It is better to do something, than not.” Born in Midland, Texas, Bill pursued a degree in liberal arts at the University of Texas, followed by a Master’s degree in animal reproductive biology at Texas A&M. The University of Minnesota conferred his doctoral degree in physiology and biophysics in 1964. Along the way Bill joined the U.S. Air Force, earning the rank of Major and serving as a jet fighter pilot during the Korean War and again in Vietnam, where he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and other decorations. As a Life Support Officer he helped solve equipment problems on unsuccessful bailouts, which earned him a National Academy of Sciences recommendation to NASA as a Scientist Astronaut. Eventually, Bill left the Air Force with his wife and four children and headed to Buffalo, New York, in 1964, where he met Heinz Schreiner and began his work in the undersea world. Bill worked as a scientist and director of a leading environmental physiology and diving research lab called Ocean Systems (a division of Union Carbide) based in Tarrytown, NY. He conducted extensive research on the effects of gases both under increased pressure and in hypobaric environments. This work led to the development of decompression modeling tools and operational procedures for divers, astronauts, hyperbaric chambers, and tunnel and caisson workers. In 1965, Bill was both the physiologist and test subject on the first manned laboratory saturation ‘dive’ to the continental shelf pressure of 12 ATA (200 msw). Bill met Kathryn Faulkner (aka ‘Ruby Lips’) on an Eastern Airlines Shuttle, which turned into a 40-year marriage that has created an international family of friends and colleagues. Kathy played a pivotal role in Bill’s life, becoming a mother to his children and then grandmother to their children and managed the business aspects of Hamilton Research. It was rare for Bill to be at an event without Kathy close by. viii VALIDATION OF DIVE COMPUTERS In 1976, Hamilton Research, Ltd. became the premier organization for decompression and hyperbaric research developing procedures and techniques to mitigate the effects of High Pressure Neurological Syndrome and the development of the Diving Computational Analysis Program (DCAP), co-developed with David J. Kenyon. Bill was also the principal investigator of the NOAA Repex Oxygen Exposure tables – the basis for most every oxygen exposure calculation method used today for saturation and repetitive exposures to oxygen in breathing mixtures. In the late 1980s, Bill stepped out of his traditional role with commercial and military clients and into the world of sport divers by creating project-specific custom decompression tables. He opened up a whole new world of underwater exploration for the free-swimming untethered diver, the birth of ‘technical diving.’ Bill was on everyone’s invite list for conferences and workshops around the globe. Bill was generous with his time and advice, and he served by volunteering wherever he could. That was his nature. Bill was recipient of significant honors and awards from many diving and science organizations. His forward thinking of how divers would survive under water is arguably the basis for all extreme-exposure diving today. His modus operandi was to get the job done right and then have a good time with the people around him. His work with decompression tables, physiological effects of gases, and methods of managing exposure to oxygen were instrumental in the origination and development of the new field of “technical diving.” Bill served on numerous Boards of Directors of diving and medical societies and was a member of many, including Mensa. Hamilton contributed to, and authored, numerous scientific and technical papers, reports, and in particular, diving medical and safety workshop proceedings (http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org). Billy Bob was predeceased by his first wife Beverly, son Beto and daughter Kitty. He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Kathryn “Ruby Lips,” daughters Lucy and Sally, sisters Emily and Ann, grandsons, Felix, Bobby, Zach, Tyler and Truman and an untold number of adoring fans. He is missed. Billy Bob, thanks for your lasting contributions. Lesley Blogg, Michael Lang and Andreas Møllerløkken, Editors Participants Surname Name Affiliation E-mail Angelini Sergio Mares, S.p.A [email protected] Azzopardi Elaine NFSD, Oban [email protected] Balestra Costantino Haute Ecole Henri Spaak [email protected] Blogg S. Lesley SLB Consulting [email protected] Brubakk Alf NTNU [email protected] Buzzacott Peter UWA, Perth [email protected] Doolette David NEDU [email protected] Egi Murat University of Galatasaray [email protected] Fabricius Christian Meconett AB [email protected] Gennser Mikael KTH, Stockholm [email protected] Gerth Wayne NEDU [email protected] Guerrero Francois University of Brest [email protected] Gutvik Christian Aptomar, Trondheim [email protected] Hamilton RW Bill Hamilton Research [email protected] Hamilton Kathryn Hamilton Research [email protected] Huggins Karl University of So. Cal. [email protected] Hugon Julien BF Systems [email protected]