In 1908, J. Haldane constructed diving tables that provide a relationship between the water pressure on body tissues for various water depths and dive times. The tables were successfully used by divers to virtually eliminate decompression sickness. The pressure in atmospheres for a no-stop dive is given by the following formula:*

where t is in minutes, l is in feet, and p is in atmospheres (atm). (One of the authors of this textbook, Raymond N. Greenwell, is shown here scuba diving near Key Largo, FL.)

(a) Find the pressure at 33 ft for a 10-minute dive.

(b) Find p_∫(33, 10) and p_t (33, 10) and interpret.

(c) Haldane estimated that decompression sickness for no-stop dives could be avoided if the diver’s tissue pressure did not exceed 2.15 atm. Find the maximum amount of time that a diver could stay down (time includes going down and coming back up) if he or she wants to dive to a depth of 66 ft.

*These estimates are conservative. Please consult modern dive tables before making a dive.

Transcribed Image Text:

p(l, t) = 1 + 1 33 (1 - 2-1/5),