>   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Fwd: RGBM Testing And Validation/Resend
> Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 13:25:56 -0700
> From: "Bruce R. Wienke" <brw@la*.go*>
> To: techdiver@aquanaut.com
>
> >>
> >>                 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'.

--
Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]