Preliminary Physical Examinations 



In the opinion of the Medical Advisory Board, only the following physical 

 abnormalities or dys functioning constituted absolute or possible contraindi- 

 cations to saturation diving. 



Absolute contraindications: 



1. Impaired cardiovascular or pulmonary function 



2. Large emphysematous bullae or blebs revealed by a chest X-ray 



3. The subject's total inability to equalize pressure in the middle 

 ear via the Eustachian tubes (a rare condition) 



4. Demonstrable aseptic bone necrosis 



5. Medical abnormalities that could produce a sudden loss of 

 consciousness (e.g., epilepsy) 



Possible contraindications: 



1. A chronic medical illness that might impair swimming com- 

 petence or capacity to work underwater 



2. Neurologic or orthopedic pathology of sufficient severity to 

 impair swimming competence 



3. Therepeutic drug-taking, narcotics addiction, or alcohol 

 dependency that might interfere with alertness 



4. A psychiatric illness that might impair the ability to 

 function well under conditions of stress (rare; diving does 

 not appear to attract psychologically unstable persons) 



Early in 1970 medical examination forms were mailed to each of the aquanaut 

 candidates. The examinations were performed by the applicants' private 

 physicians, who returned the completed forms to Dr. Masson. Any questionable 

 physical qualifications were referred to the Medical Advisory Board for a 

 decision; only two applicants were ultimately rejected, both for reasons of 

 cardiac inadequacy. 



At the same time that each candidate was medically examined in his city of 

 residence, he also completed the Minneapolis Multiple Personality Inventory 

 (MMPI) . The results of the MMPI were interpreted by the Psychological 

 Corporation of Minneapolis, Minn., and submitted to the Medical Advisory Board. 

 The Board regarded the MMPI as a minimum screening device for detection of 

 psychopathological disorder. No candidate was rejected on the basis of the 

 MMPI. 



An attempt was also made to obtain long-bone roentgenographic surveys of all 

 the candidates to uncover evidence of early bone necrosis. These X-rays were 

 mandatory for the prospective crews in the 100-ft missions, but optional for 

 those of the 50-ft missions. Those X-rays made were sent to the Navy Medical 



IX-5 



