The Underwater Handbook

This handbook attempts to translate data on various parameters of man's capability in underwater and hyperbaric environments for those without a background in the life sciences. Accomplishing any multifaceted task requires team work, and effective team work depends on facile communication among all participants. To communicate properly, all parties must understand each other's problems and be able to speak a similar language. To this end we believe that this publication will go a long way in furthering the understanding and communication necessary for maximum achievement. The U. S. Navy has a fundamental interest in all types of activities connected with the ocean and is especially interested in the growing field of manned underwater and hyperbaric activities. Thus, the manuscript for this comprehensive book was developed under Office of Naval Research contract N00014-67-A-0214-0013 with The George Washington University. We acknowledge with appreciation the financial support and technical guidance for this undertaking by the Naval Medical Research and Develop­ ment Command of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery as well as by the Engineering Psychology Program and the Physiology Program of the Office of Naval Research. JOSEPH P. POLLARD Director Biological and Medical Sciences Division Office of Naval Research vii Preface A need was felt for a book that would document the relationship of the human being to the underwater hyperbaric environment in such a way that the individual unfamiliar with the psychological or biomedical jargon could still understand and appreciate the information.