RUNNING HEAD: BODY HEATING SYSTEM FOR SCUBA DIVERS 1

Body Heating System for Scuba Divers

Shahid Khan, Noah Egan, Alen Jomon

Dr. Ales Psaker

October 9, 2018 – May 31, 2019

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Rationale

The fundamental objective of our proposal is to confront a challenge faced by scuba

divers: hypothermia. Hypothermia is a medical condition caused by excessive heat loss from the

body, resulting in a lowered body temperature. Having direct contact with water can make

situations even worse for scuba divers. In water, even at warmer temperatures, there is a greater

loss in body-heat than compared to the body-heat loss in air. The effects of hypothermia can be

organized in three stages:

1. Stage 1 Hypothermia: the body temperature drops 1-2 ºC, minor shivering and

numbness in fingers occur.

2. Stage 2 Hypothermia: the body temperature drops 2-4 ºC, violent shivering, and

disorientation due to lower blood flow into the brain.

3. Stage 3 Hypothermia: the body temperature falls below 32 ºC, resulting bodily

functions and organs to shut down, eventually leading to a cardiac arrest then death.

To combat this issue, we are designing a heating pad that incorporates resistive wires to

generate heat. If a resistive wire has a current running through it, it will transfer heat to the body,

warming the area and helping combat hypothermia. This heat can be calculated using Joule’s

first law, which states that the power of heat generated by a resistive wire is proportional to the
1
current squared multiplied by the resistance of the wire. The full equation is written as H = I2Rt,
𝐽

where t is time in seconds, R is resistance in Ohms, I is current in amperes, J is a constant known

as Joule’s mechanical equivalent in heat, and H is heat in joules.

The technology used in this prototype can also be used in for comfort. Divers can turn the

device on at their convenience, and the device could also be put into clothing worn daily, in
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normal life. Our prototype will have wide-reaching effects since hypothermia results in nearly

1,500 deaths worldwide each year.

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Question

The question we will investigate is if a resistive wire can be powered to produce enough

heat in a cold underwater environment to increase comfort and protect against hypothermia. The

temperature generated should be a little above normal body temperature, around 37-39 degrees

Celsius. The heat generated from this resistor will transfer to the person wearing the pad, but in

the cold environment, some heat will inevitably leak into the water. Next, we will investigate the

effects of water pressure on the several components of the heating pad, to provide maximum

efficiency of the heating pad.

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Hypothesis

We predict that if a resistive wire is coiled and put into a heating pad, then the resulting

heat will reach the heat of normal body temperature or higher (around 37-39 degrees Celsius).

Our engineering goals are to design a waterproof heating pad that can be used in deep water.

This pad will also be very thin to increase comfort and wear ability. The batteries will also be in

casings and will be waterproof and resistant to pressure. This pad will also be designed to

generate enough heat, even in a cold ambient environment. An Arduino will also control the

battery for the pad, so the battery can be turned on and off to regulate temperature. This will fight

against hypothermia by heating the wearer to around a certain temperature.

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Materials and Methods

The materials we plan to use for this experiment are:

 Thin, plastic sheet

 36-gauge nichrome wire

 Waterproof temperature sensor

 Two 9V batteries

 Waterproof and pressure-proof battery casing

 Wires to connect each battery terminal to the resistive wire

 Wetsuit fabric

 Miniature transistor

 Vacuum sealing machine

 Rubber Sealant

 Arduino

 Arduino Thermistor

 Pressure gauge

First, the wire will be coiled to fit on the plastic within a 32x10cm area. Then, two wires will

be connected to the battery and each end of the resistive metal. Wires from a thermocouple will

also go on the plastic sheet, to measure the temperature the wire creates. The plastic will then be

folded, and vacuum sealed, creating a waterproof compartment for the resistive wire to have

current run through it. The holes that the wires that go into the plastic casing will have a rubber

seal applied. An Arduino will connect to the thermometer (Arduino Thermistor) and the battery

that powers the resistor, in the casing. It will take input from the thermometer and send a signal
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to a transistor, which will turn the battery on and off to make the wire settle around a certain

temperature. It will be tested using the thermometer to measure the temperature. It will also be

tested deep underwater, using a pressure gauge to determine the exact pressure the water is at

when it is being tested.

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Data Analysis

To measure the temperature of the wire, we will use a waterproof thermocouple to

measure the temperature of the heating pad underwater. We will also test the device against

water pressure using a deep pool, using a pressure gauge to measure the pressure in the pool. We

plan to test the device in water pressures equivalent to typical diving depths, around 18 meters

deep. We will also test to see if the overheating protection system works, so we will heat the wire

to a high temperature to test the shut-off system.

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Risks and Safety Procedures

The main risk to consider is that the waterproofing of the device may not work properly,

and the device will be damaged and possible shock the wearer. Another risk is that the battery

casing will not be resistant to high pressure and may break, possibly causing the battery to

explode. We will minimize the dangers of these risks by doing tests to see if the device is

waterproof. The battery casing will also be tested multiple times. The temperature-based shut-off

system will also be tested to make sure there is no chance of the heating pad burning the wearer.
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Bibliography

Hypothermia and Heat Loss while Scuba Diving. (2009, December 11). Leisure Pro.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Educatio and Research. (2018, January 6). Hypothermia.

Retrieved from Mayo Clinic.

Wang, Z., Leonov, V., Fiorini, P., & Van Hoof, C. (2009). Realization of a wearable

miniaturized thermoelectric generator for human body applications. Sensors and

Actuators A: Physical, 95-102.

Ghosh, S. (2018, September 08). Joule's Law of Heating. Retrieved from

https://www.electrical4u.com/joules-law/