Efficiency Of Working Divers In Depths Down To 600 M

GKSS Research Center Geesthacht GmbH conducts pre-industrial research and development in the field of underwater technology and operates for this purpose the GKSS Underwater Simulator GUSI. In the past 4 1/2 years 11 saturation work-dives were performed, reaching step by step the maximum depth of 600m. At the different isopression levels the divers had done hard work. To realise sufficient diver efficiency the conditions influencing this efficiency have been observed. The paper describes sophisticated techniques, operational procedures developments needed for work-dives down to 600m. Furthermore underwater tasks performed by the divers demand partially high mental concentration and result in high work load. Considering the gained results no real barrier could be found for skilled work in great depths.