The Effects of Underwater Blast on Divers

Abstract

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY) 8-02-20012. REPORT TYPE PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBERNaval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory Naval Submarine Base New London Box 900 Groton, CT 06349-5900 NSMRL Report #1218 SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S)Naval Submarine Medical Resea NSMRL rch Laboratory Naval Submarine Base New SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORTGroton, CT 06349-5900 NUMBER(S) 1218 DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENT AApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ABSTRACTThis review of underwater blast provides a brief background on the physical acoustics for underwater blast, summarizes the literature on the bioeffects for divers, and compares model results. The final chapter provides the authors' views on necessary research to meet gaps in the models as well as describe the best application of our current knowledge to a guidance for underwater blast. SUBJECT TERMS SUMMARY PAGE THE PROBLEMUnderwater blast effects on divers received a great deal of attention up to the 1970s, and several investigators in the United States and the United Kingdom contributed to this work. Most of this research focused on the potentially lethal effects of the blast and used those to estimate safe diving distances. Several models were developed to make these estimates. The data used to drive the models were mostly conducted at shallow depths and with relatively small charges. METHODA review of all information on underwater blast and their affect in divers was undertaken by the authors. FINDINGSThere have been some more recent incidents which suggest that the current models of underwater blast may be incomplete and that additional data may be needed. Furthermore, there has been no systematic comparison of the various models. This review of underwater blast provides a brief background on the physical acoustics for underwater blast, summarizes the literature on the bioeffects for divers, and compares model results. The final chapter provides the author's views on necessary research to meet gaps in the model...

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