A thermal analogue for the optimal decompression of divers: theory.

AEWCRACT. An analogue is described in which the conduction of heat simulates the diffusion of inert gas in the cellular material of the tissue type responsible for marginal symptoms of decompression sickness. It forms the basis of an instrument designed to optimize the deployment of decompression time according t o the principle of phase equilibration. Allowance is made for the metabolizable gases. The decompression format produced by the analogue indicates appreciable reductions (20-400,/,) in the total ascent time of a direr for no loss of safety. This is supported by the results of practical trials i.n w k o .