A life support instrumentation consideration for hyperbaric facilities

The creation of special atmospheres for exploration of inner and outer space raises questions relating to control levels and methods for safety and success. This paper discusses the "solution" employed in the design and construction of the Ocean Simulation Facility in Panama City, Florida. Because all compounds are not life critical, the problem is simplified by defining two instrumentation categories. Category one involves continuous measurement of constituents vital to short term physiological well being. Category two involves infrequent detection and identification of constituents which may have a long term physiological effect. The instrumentation provided adequately determines the levels of any constituent, but the follow-on control is rudimentary.