Recommended Dietary Menus for Use in Operational and Research Saturation Diving.

Abstract

(U) This report describes fifteen daily menus suitable for divers participating in research or operational saturation dives. The menus were developed and tested for acceptability during a series of research saturation dives at the Naval Medical Research Institute. Each menu provides 3500 - 3600 kcal per day for each diver, with about 30% of energy provided by fat and 10 - 15 % from protein. The foods are readily available, simple to store and prepare, and easy to serve to divers in a hyperbaric chamber at depths to 1000 fsw. This report discusses how to use the menus, substitute foods, use a database to develop food orders, and prepare and serve the foods for better acceptability. These menus would be especially useful in research to study metabolic function, nutrient requirements, and physical performance under hyperbaric conditions. They are also recommended for operational use.