SILICONE SUBMERSION, A FEASIBILITY STUDY

Abstract : The report details a study which demonstrated the feasibility of maintaining men totally and continuously submerged for five days by using silicone fluid in a specially designed tank. Five submersions were tried, 3 were in water for 6 hours for training purposes and 2 were in silicone; one for 16 hours and the final run which lasted a full five days (120 hours) with complete submersion for about 60% of the time and head out immersion for the remaining 40%. It was found that silicone fluid can be used as a weightless simulation medium in prolonged immersion and that subjects can be kept free of skin irritation or maceration for long periods of time if diligent quantity control of the fluid is maintained. It was also found that long submersion need not result in a negative water balance due to diuresis.