<< Predictive Studies Programs

PREDICTIVE STUDIES I (PS I): TEKTITE I: Prolonged Isolation in a Closed, Subsea Environment.
Major Category: Inert Gas Effects-Density / Hydrostatic Pressure / Narcosis
Subcategory: Predictive Studies I (Expt. 12.29). Prolonged exposure to normoxic nitrogen at 2.2 ATA.

Date: 1969

Expt. Title: Project Tektite I Biomedical Studies.

Description:

A 60-day open sea saturation exposure of 4 men to 90.2% N2 with 9.8% O2 at 38 FSW (2.2 ATA) in an underwater habitat at Great Lameshur Bay, St. John island in the Virgin Islands. Purposes included studies of sustained semi-isolation, effects of protracted exposure to increased N2 pressure, and functional performance of research by marine scientists. The Biomedical Sciences Program Component involved University of Pennsylvania Health System Participation and Leadership, in close conjunction with scientists of NASA, Office of Naval Research, and Dept. of Interior.

Measurements:
    Medical Examinations (Expt. 12.29.1)

General Medical
Auditory - Vestibular
Dermatological
Neurological
Ophthalmological

Pulmonary and Ventilatory Functions (Expt. 12.30.2)
    Lung Mechanics

Expiratory & Inspiratory Flow Rates
Pulmonary Resistance
Work of Breathing
Static and Dynamic Pulmonary Compliance
Esophageal Pressures

    Lung Volumes

Capacities (Vital, Inspiratory, Total Lung, Functional Residual)
Expiratory Reserve Volume
Residual Volume

    Lung Dynamics

Flow rates
Maximum Voluntary Ventilation
Lung Diffusion
Diffusion Capacity for CO

Respiratory Control (Expt. 12.29.3)

Ventilatory Response to CO₂
Tidal Volume Response to CO₂
Respiratory Frequency Response to CO2

Decompression (Expt. 12.29.4)

REPORT: Pauli, DC and HA Cole (Eds). Report on Project Tektite I. A Multiagency 60-Day Saturation Dive. Office of Naval Research Report DR 153, Washington, D.C., 1971.

REPORT: Lambertsen, C.J. and S. Kronheim. Biomedical program summary. In: Project Tektite I. Biomedical sciences. Pauli, D.C. and H.A. Cole (eds.). ONR Report DR 153. Washington, DC: Office of Naval Research, A165-A166, 1970.

REPORT: Respiratory and pulmonary studies. Lambertsen, C.J., J.G. Dickson, R. Gelfand, R.W. Hyde, A.B. Fisher, A.B. Dubois, and C.J. Knight.

REPORT: Johnson, P. C., Driscoll, T. B., W. C. Alexander, and C. J. Lambertsen. Body fluid volume changes during a 14-day continuous exposure to 5.2% O2 in N2 at pressure equivalent to 100 FSW (4 ATA). Aerosp. Med. No. 7, Sect. II. 44: 860-863, 1973.

REPORT: Alexander, W. C., C. S. Leach, C. L. Fischer, C. J. Lambertsen, and P. C. Johnson. Hematological, biochemical, and immunological studies during a 14-day continuous exposure to 5.2% O2 in N2 at pressure equivalent to 100 FSW (4 ATA). Aerosp. Med. 44: 850-854, 1973.

REPORT: Miller, J.W. and C.J.c Lambertsen. Project Tektite: An Open-Sea Study of Prolonged Exposures to a Nitrogen-O2 Environment at Increased Ambient Pressure. In: Proceedings of the Fourth Symposium on Underwater Physiology. C.J. Lambertsen (Ed). New York: Academic Press, 1971.

REPORT: Fisher, A.B., A.B. Dubois, R.W. Hyde, C.J. Knight, and C.J. Lambertsen. Effect of 2 months’ undersea exposure to N2-O2 at 2.2 ATA on Lung Function. J. Appl. Physiol. 28:70-74, 1970.

01 February 2000 04:30:49 PM