For those of you looking for the pertinent information, it's in
bold. However, it's interesting to see the relative downplay of the world record attempt in relation to my participation in the current DAN study... So I figured I'd post the entire letter. Again, the only pertinent info to the attempt is in
bold.
Thank you for your interest in the Flying After Diving Study. I have attached the following information about the study for your information.
Information Letter details the study and provides you with a sample schedule at the end.
Please note that this is just a sample schedule of how the study typically runs. Depending on which date you choose to participate, the profile and schedule will differ. The schedule and profile for any particular study have is not released until a couple of weeks prior, so I will send that information out to you later.
Medical History Form - you would need to fill out this form and return it to me as soon as possible. The return of this form is what holds your spot on the roster.
You may mail it to Divers Alert Network - Research Dept. 6 West Colony Place, Durham, NC 27705 or fax it to (919) 493-3040.
The Flying After Diving Study is to determine safe limits for Flying After Diving on profiles of interest to the US Navy.
Participants must be certified divers or have experience with hyperbaric exposure,
Between the ages of 18-60 years old, and must meet certain physical criteria. You must be relatively fit, and have no medical conditions.
Absolute exclusions to the study are: pregnancy, chest surgery, Pneumothorax, Asthma that is active and requires medication, chronic seizure disorder, chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, heart condition), and recent joint surgery.
Restrictions are as follows: No diving 48-hour prior to and after tests; No flying 24-hours prior to study dive and 48-hours after study flight; No organized sports or other exercise program for at least 72 hours prior to the test; and No prescription or over the counter medication including aspirin other than those identified to Study Physician for week prior to the test.
You will be compensated $120 dollars for completion of the study, and DAN membership and insurance at the preferred level will also be provided if you do not currently have one or if your membership expires within 30 days of the study.
Available study dates are as follows:
Aug 22-23, 2003
Sept 5-6, 2003
Sept 19-20, 2003
Oct. 3-4, 2003
Oct. 17-19, 2003
Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2003
Nov. 14-15, 2003
Nov. 21-22, 2003
Dec. 5-6, 2003
Dec. 19-20, 2003
If you live over a 60-minute drive from Durham, we will provide you hotel accommodations and most of your meals. You may bring a non-participating spouse/friend with you, but you will be required to pay for their half of the room. All our rooms are based on double occupancy so be aware that you will have a roommate, unless special arrangements are made in advance.
To answer your specific questions:
All you have to do to participate in the September studies is to complete the medical history form attached and return it to me, along with a note to remind me to which date to add your name to.
The profile being tested right now is 60/40 min dive, 1:00 hr SI, 8000/4:00 hrs flight.
The same profile will probably still be tested in September.
I have attached the schedule (Excel file) from the Aug. 9-10 study, and it should be the same or similar for September.
Since you are coming from SC, we will put you up in a hotel for Friday and Saturday night. However, there is no provision to compensate you for your mileage.
The record attempt you are planning is certainly interesting, and the guys at the chamber I know will enjoy discussing this with you. Perhaps you can discuss with them when you come in, what type of involvement is forthcoming, if any.
Please review the attached material, and if you have additional questions feel free to contact me. Thank you again for supporting the Flying After Diving study.
Jeanette Moore
DAN Research
6 West Colony Place
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 684-2948 ext. 260
Medical History.pdf (Binary attachment)
Info Letter1.doc (Binary attachment)
Study Schedule.xls (Binary attachment)
The bottom line is that it appears to me that participating in this current DAN study would earn me $120 and be a nice getaway for a weekend... While helping the scientific and diving communities. However, to me, I believe that the most beneficial part of doing this study would be surrounding myself with the hyperbaric leaders of the industry... And bouncing these ideas off of them. There are still some concerns I have about skin exposure to water for a straight 14 days; primarily, if a 35 ppt solution will reduce the superhydration problem to a managable level. My research to date has been with shipwreck survivors, all of whom were exposed for no more than four days, and only some of whom were actually immersed for the duration of their rescue. Additionally, all of them were badly dehydrated during their rescue; that is, they did not have fresh water to drink... Which would have obvious effects on superhydration and the way that their body absorbed the surrounding water.
Certainly Phases 1-4 are bound to teach me about superhydration as well... And I believe that starting with a solution of purified H2O, with the "normal" trace elements of flouride and chlorine removed... And with an addition of salts to the tune of 35 ppt... Is a good place to start. Additionally, it appears that a good starting point for the solution in terms of temperature should be in the 93-95 degree range.
...Which, of course, explains why the facility is so important for Phases 1-5.
Sorry if this is boring to y'all...
I think that THIS is what the record's really going to be about.
