Navy diving’s lethal oxygen research

ARLINGTON, Va. - Special Operation divers take on life-threatening risks from combatants and harsh environments, but one of the silent hazards is oxygen toxicity, the result of breathing lethal levels of oxygen under water and pressure. Dr. Blair Johnson, who teaches exercise physiology at the University at Buffalo, is conducting for the Office of Naval Research a new type of research that may protect Navy divers from this deadly threat. "Recent evidence suggests that hormone levels critical to maintaining breathing and heart function drop sharply when someone is immersed underwater," said Dr. William D'Angelo, who manages ONR's Undersea Medicine Program. Johnson's groundbreaking research will expand on how water immersion triggers oxygen toxicity. Johnson’s team built a special water-immersion tank in the UB's Center for Research and Education in Special Environments where scientists can study simulated extreme environments - like breathing different gas mixtures underwater. (Source: Office of Naval Research 10/26/17) Gulf Coast Note: The Naval Special Warfare training detachment at the Navy Diving and Experiment Dive Unit in Panama City, Fla., provides SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) training to both U.S. and ally “Spec Ops” forces. The training offered focuses on the topics such as vehicle operations, hull maintenance, electronic equipment maintenance, and Underwater Breathing Apparatus (UBA) operation, maintenance and repair.