ABSTRACT
Data from past compressed air projects can be represented in terms of a single expression which combines pressure, working time at that pressure, the number of exposures, and the consequent treatments of decompression sickness. In this way, these data are used to define probable upper and lower bounds of the incidence of decompression sickness, either per exposure or per worked hour. Records from overseas compressed air projects are compared and shown to be consistent with the UK project database. This method of representing exposure records is used to compare the relative effectiveness in terms of the amount of decompression sickness of UK projects carried out under the 1958 regulations and under the Blackpool tables/CIRIA Report 44 procedures. The empirical relation between the exposure parameters is examined to see if it can give any insight into reducing the occurrence of decompression sickness.
