Techniques in Diving and Submersibles

This paper attempts to give an elementary picture of some of the techniques that ambient-pressure divers and submersibles may use to carry out tasks underwater during the next decade. It begins by outlining options for the ambient-pressure diver and underwater vehicles, manned or unmanned, and possibilities for further development to accomplish work tasks. The safe deployment of ambient-pressure divers and submersibles upon selected tasks in the working environment is considered, taking into account aids to operations available (communications, position fixing and tools for survey and work tasks). Two depths, 140 and 480 m, representing present and possible future working depths for common usage for ambient-pressure divers, are assumed. The use of techniques at much greater depths is discussed in relation to feasible tasks. Finally the supporting facilities, available and needed, for research and development to give the optimum life support and manipulator techniques for the 1990s are discussed from the points of view of supporting them and stretching the scope.