HADES, Highest Accumulated Decompression Score

Abstract

The HADES project was initiated in order to develop methods for evaluating decompression tables and in particular to study the effect of diving activity and environmental factors upon decompression outcome. The database contains detailed information about over 2000 saturation dives performed on two diving vessels over a time period of six years by a stable population of divers. The experimental model system enables the detailed study of the effect of decompression procedures with changing temperatures, muscular activity and gas composition. In this model, vascular gas bubbles are used as an indication of decompression stress. Initial evaluation of the diving data indicate that a subgroup of divers performing a larger proportion of the dives, in particular dives with stopped decompressions, have a much larger incidence of decompression sickness. The experimental system is able to maintain precise control over environmental factors, initial results indicate excellent correlation with results from human dives.