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>> >> RGBM Validation And Testing Update >> >> The past few weeks following release of the NAUI RGBM ranged trimix, >> helitrox, (soon EANx) Tables have been hectic, so accept our apologies >> for not getting this out sooner. Some important facts about RGBM >> validation and testing are listed for your information: >> >> 1) -- our counterterror and countermeasures (LANL) exercises have used >> the RGBM (full up iterative deep stop version) for a number of >> years, logging some 327 dives on mixed gases (trimix, heliox, >> nitrox) without incidence of DCI -- 35% were deco dives, >> and 25% were repets (no deco) with at least 2 hr SIs, on > forward dives. >> >> 2) -- NAUI Technical Diving has been diving the deep stop >> version for the past 2 yrs, some estimatd 200 dives, on >> on mixed gases down to 250 fsw, without a single DCI hit. >> Some 20 divers in France last spring performed 2 mixed gas dives > a day using the RGBM in "strong" profiles. > >> 3) -- modified RGBM recreational algorithms (Haldane imbedded >> with bubble reduction factors limiting reverse profile, >> repetitive, and multiday diving), as coded into SUUNTO, >> ABYSS, Cochrane decometers lower an already low DCI >> incidence rate of approximately 1/10,000 or less. More >> RGBM decompression meters, including mixed gases, are >> in the works (know of 3). >> >> 4) -- a cadre of divers and instructors here in mountainous >> New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado have been diving the >> modified (Haldane imbedded again) RGBM at altitude, >> an estimated 350 dives, without mishap. Again, not >> surprising since the altitude RGBM is slightly more >> conservative than the usual Cross correction used routinely >> up to about 8,000 ft elevation, and with estimated DCI >> incidence less than 1/10,000. >> >> 5) -- within decometer implementations of the RGBM, not a single >> DCI hit has been reported in the multidiving category, >> beyond 1000 dives or more, up to now. >> >> 6) -- extreme chamber tests for mixed gas RGBM are in the >> present works, and less stressful exposures will be addressed >> shortly -- extreme here means 300 fsw and beyond. >> >> 7) -- probabilistic decompression analysis of some selected >> RGBM profiles, calibrated against similar calculations >> of the same profiles by Duke, help validate the RGBM on >> a computational basis , suggesting that the RGBM has >> no more theoretical risk than other bubble or dissolved gas >> models (ala Weathersby, Vann, and Gerth methodology at USN/Duke) >> This will be reported in a very technical paper/journal. >> >> 8) -- all divers and instructors using RGBM decometers, tables, >> NET software have been advised to report all their profiles >> to DAN Project Dive Exploration (Vann and Gerth and many >> others at Duke). >> >> 9) -- ABYSS is a NET sotware package that offers the modified >> RGBM (folded over the Buhlmann ZHL) and soon the full up, >> deep stop version for any gas mixture, and has a fairly >> large contingent of tech divers already using the RGBM >> and has not received any reports of DCI. >> >> 10) -- outside of proprietary (commercial) and RGBM Tables, >> mixed gas tables are a smorgasboard of no longer applicable >> Haldane dynamics and discretionary stop insertions, as >> witnessed by the collective comments of a very vocal and >> extremely competent, experienced technical diving community. >> >> This process of testing and validation is ongoing, and we appreciate, >> make that, ask for your help in reporting your RGBM dives to DAN >> Project Dive Exploration and certainly to us with any "duress". This >> receives immediate attention. >> >> Permit Tim and me a few comments about the RGBM and its roots, >> since real pioneers very often go without proper recognition -- those >> of us that follow reap the benefits of their insight and perspectives, >> and our benefits of hindsight and modern diving developments. The >> RGBM builds upon the work of Brian Hills and David Yount, skillful work >> performed on phase mechanics, bubbles, and ultimately, first translations >> of their findings to the diving arena and particularly, diver staging. >> They didn't have all the answers (who does), but they underlined basics. >> Both applied computer studies and simulations to diving profiles, >> though much has not been recognized (til recently). True warriors, >> they labored in difficult times, and under enemy fire, so to speak. >> Hats off to you, Brain and David (and all your co-workers). >> >> Further for your information, Tim And I will be releasing all existing >> RGBM Tables (ranged trimix and helitrox) and a suite of others (EAN24 >> to EAN36, constant PO2 heliox, and other ranged trimix and heliox) to >> the Net, as with the Technical Diver Series, and under NAUI Technical >> Diving auspices. The format is "groupless" with 2 allowable repets >> per day, plus some other simple protocols. >> >> Thanks for your interest. >> >> Bruce Wienke and Tim O'Leary >> >> Los Alamos National Laboratory And American Diving And Marine Salvage >> NAUI Worldwide Technical Training Operations >> 3/24/00 >> > > -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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