ASTM F1549-94(1999)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:F1549–94(Reapproved 1999)
Standard Terminology Relating to
Underwater Search, Rescue, and Recovery Activities
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1549; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D.A.N., n—Divers Alert Network.
DCS, n—decompression sickness, a medical condition with a
1.1 The purpose of this terminology is to establish unifor-
variety of symptoms that may result from gas or bubbles in
mity in terminology used in the field of underwater search,
the tissues of divers after pressure reduction.
rescue, and recovery.
decompression, n—the technique used to allow the controlled
1.2 The terminology is appropriate to those underwater
removal of excess insert gas from the body during and after
search, rescue, or recovery activities that use self-contained or
a dive to prevent decompression sickness (DCS).
surface-supplied underwater breathing apparatuses to provide a
dive computer, n—a microprocessor-based electronic instru-
breathing gas supply for the searcher(s).
ment that provides data based on a specific decompression
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
model.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
dive profile, n—the depth/time history of a dive that typically
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
consists of bottom time, maximum depth, and surface
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
interval.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Doppler bubble detector, n—a device that uses the Doppler
2. Significance and Use
Effect to monitor specific areas of the circulatory system and
detect the presence of bubbles as a measure of decompres-
2.1 This terminology is not intended to be used as a
sion stress.
replacement for proper training and experience in the skills
hyperbaric chamber, n—a chamber in which the internal
necessary to conduct an underwater search and rescue opera-
pressure can be elevated by the introduction of compressed
tion safely.
air (or other gasses) that is used primarily for medical
3. Terminology
treatment (including decompression sickness and arterial gas
embolism) and physiological studies.
3.1 Definitions:
J-valve, n—a manually operated, spring-loaded, SCUBA cyl-
ascent rate, n—the speed of vertical movement toward the
inder check valve that incorporates a low air warning/reserve
water’s surface.
air mechanism.
bail-out bottle, n—A diver-carried supply of air or mixed gas
K-valve, n—a simple, manually operated on-off SCUBA
(as appropriate) sufficient under standard operating condi-
cylinder valve.
tions to allow the diver to reach the surface or another source
line tender, n—the individual who controls the diver’s search
of breathing gas, or to be reached by a safety diver.
pattern.
bottom time, n—the total elapsed time measured in minutes
nitrogen narcosis, n—a distinct anesthetic effect, character-
from the time that the diver leaves the surface in descent to
ized by loss of judgment and disorientation, caused from
the time that the diver begins ascent.
breathing nitrogen at increased partial pressures.
console, n—an instrument package that contains one or more
repetitive diving, n—any dive co
...