Respiratory function in the upright, working diver at 6.8 ATA (190 fsw).

The influence of static lung loading on a number of respiratory parameters was investigated in subjects performing graded leg exercise in an upright posture while submerged and breathing air at ambient pressures up to 6.76 ATA. In comparison with a previous investigation of the prone posture, a lesser tendency to dyspnea was observed. Neutral and moderately positive static lung loads were associated with less dyspnea than were negative loads. Several indices of respiratory function remained relatively normal during exercise and exposure to varying static lung loads. However, there was a tendency for hypoventilation and CO2 accumulation during heavy exercise at 190 fsw; this was not strictly correlated with dyspnea or static lung load. We conclude that, if a full face mask is used, breathing gear for divers should provide a static lung load of approximately 0 to +10 cmH2O regardless of the diver's orientation in the water. When possible, divers should assume an upright posture while engaged in strenuous work.

Weight loss and catabolic adaptations to starvation in grey seal pups.

Five grey seal pups lost from 18 to 32% of their initial body weight during a 21 day starvation period. Blubber fat mass density was 0.93 +/- 0.03 g/cm3. A considerable loss of blubber fat was recorded, but analysis of the weight loss and body size data indicated that blubber fat was retained for thermoregulatory reasons, particularly in the lean, smaller seals. It is possible that phocid seals during periods of negative energy balance have a higher rate of protein catabolism than normal for terrestrial mammals.

Influence of exercise on maximal voluntary ventilation and forced expiratory flow at depth.

Four to six subjects performed maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) and forced expirations during rest, exercise (50, 125, and 200 W), and inhalation of air and CO2 and air at rest while submerged at pressures of 1.45, 2.82, 4.64, and 6.76 atm. Maximal expiratory flow (at 40% of vital capacity) and MVV at rest decreased as exponential functions of gas density, but the decrease was less than in some earlier studies. Independent of pressure, MVV increased by about 10%-17% at the heavier work loads and expiratory flow increased by 27%-48%; the increase in expiratory flow disappeared within 2 min after exercise. Exercise increased end-tidal CO2 tension by up to 9 mmHg. Carbon dioxide inhalation increasing the end-tidal level by up to about 25 mmHg during rest had no effect on MVV and a slight to moderate effect on flow, increasing it by a maximum of 21% at 4.64 atm. The enhancing effect of exercise on MVV and expiratory flow at depth apparently was mainly due to modified autonomic nervous activity reducing pulmonary flow resistance, CO2 accumulation playing an uncertain role, and passive distension of airways playing no role.