Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

NSWC developing new rebreather for navy divers

7th June 2018 - 16:30 GMT | by Shephard News Team

RSS

The US Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) has developed a new prototype system, the MK29 Mixed Gas Rebreather, to support the navy’s diving community.

The technology will enhance the capabilities of navy divers and accelerate deployments for missions including underwater rescues, explosive ordnance disposal, ship hull maintenance, recovery of sunken equipment and salvage of vessels and aircraft.

Currently, the navy’s divers breathe a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen while on underwater missions but the nitrogen becomes toxic below 150ft. The new system solves this problem, by filtering used oxygen-helium through a carbon dioxide scrubber, which removes carbon dioxide and recycles the breathable gasses back to the diver.

Test results suggest this system can not only help divers perform more dives, but also stay underwater longer if surface supply gas is interrupted.

The MK29 also reduces breathing noise and fogging of helmet viewports. It also features 3D-printed titanium tubing that connects hoses from the helmet’s breathing manifold to the regulator backpack. That titanium reduces the risk of breathing hoses being sliced by sharp or jagged underwater objects.

Further research on the product will be carried out later in 2018.