Saturated diving is a type of diving that involves breathing a gas mixture of helium and oxygen to prevent nitrogen absorption. The spelling of "saturated diving" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈsætjʊˌreɪtɪd ˈdaɪvɪŋ/. The first syllable, "sat", is pronounced with a short "a" sound followed by a "t" sound. The second syllable, "u", is pronounced with a short "uh" sound. The final syllable, "rated", is pronounced with a long "a" sound followed by a "t" sound. The word "diving" is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by a "v" sound and a long "i" sound.
Saturated diving is a specialized diving technique that allows divers to work in deep waters for extended periods while breathing a mixture of gases under increased pressure. It involves using a diving chamber, also known as a saturation system or hyperbaric chamber, which is capable of maintaining a constant pressure equivalent to the depth at which the divers are working.
The process of saturated diving begins with divers entering a compression chamber, where they are exposed to increased pressure to saturate their tissues with the breathing gas mixture. This allows them to work in the water without the need for decompression stops during ascent. The divers then transfer directly to a diving bell or a specialized diving suit called a Atmospheric Diving Suit (ADS) to access their work area.
Saturated diving is mainly employed in commercial diving operations, such as offshore oil and gas exploration, underwater construction, undersea repairs, and scientific research. It is especially useful when divers need to spend prolonged periods at great depths without incurring the risks associated with decompression sickness, commonly known as the bends.
Although saturated diving requires rigorous training, it offers advantages over traditional diving methods. By removing the need for repetitive decompression stops, divers can work more efficiently and for longer durations. The physical environment inside the saturation chamber also allows for improved monitoring, communication, and easier access to medical support in case of emergencies.
The word "saturated diving" consists of two main components: "saturated" and "diving".
1. Saturated: The term "saturated" is derived from the Latin word "saturatus", which means "filled, saturated". It stems from the verb "saturare", meaning "to fill". In the context of diving, "saturated" refers to the state in which a diver's tissues are filled with inert gas due to increased pressure during a prolonged underwater stay.
2. Diving: The term "diving" originates from the Old English word "dyfan" or "dubian", which means "to plunge, dip into water". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "dubjanan", indicating action related to being submerged in water.