Adequate thermal protection in cold water diving, particularly when a minimal power supply is available, is a severe challenge. In recent years, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in Arlington, VA and the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Diving and Salvage have sponsored a number of efforts to develop technical solutions to the severe thermal stresses encountered in cold water operations. This research has produced both active and passive technologies to protect divers during cold water missions. Recent passive technology developments discussed in this paper include a neutrally-buoyant liquid insulation that increases thermal protection without the need for increased diver ballasting, and a drysuit garment that utilizes super-insulation aerogel fabrics to maximize thermal comfort. Recent developments in active technologies have focused on utilizing energy-dense hydrogen catalytic reactions and the release of thermal energy as a result of the chemical absorption of hydrogen in various metal alloys.
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