Royal Australian Navy School of Underwater Medicine
Encyclopedia
The Royal Australian Navy School of Underwater Medicine (RANSUM) is based at Sydney, Australia.
The Diving Section of HMAS Watson
was afforded by the District Medical Officer, Surgeon Lieutenant Commander
Shane A.C. Watson, whose interest in diving led to research in injuries related to marine animals. Medical Director-General of the Royal Australian Navy, Surgeon Rear Admiral
Lionel Lockwood, recognized the need for a specialisation
in diving medicine
shown by Dr. Watson and appointed Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Rex Grey to service in Underwater Medicine. Dr. Grey was an anaesthesiologist and accepted this commission on 20 February 1961.
Dr. Grey was trained as a diver and sent to England for seven months to learn about modern diving medicine. He visited the Royal Naval Medical School at Alverstoke
, the R.N. Physiological Laboratory, the Submarine Training School at HMS Dolphin, Diving School HMS Vernon
, and the RN Air Medical School at Seafield Park. Following his time in England, he travelled to the United States, where he spent two weeks each in the Experimental Diving Unit
, Washington Navy Yard, and with the Medical Research Laboratory
, Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut
, returning to Australia in July, 1962, aboard HMAS Supply
.
The first School of Underwater Medicine Report was issued in 1963 and outlined the need for communication with organizations with similar interests such as carbon monoxide poisoning
and recompression chambers. The first eight day Underwater Medicine course was held in May 1963, when Surgeon Lieutenant Commander A.A. Reid, and was followed by a thirteen day course by Surgeon Lieutenant Commander B.M. Wadham, in June 1963.
The Diving Section of HMAS Watson
HMAS Watson
HMAS Watson is a Royal Australian Navy base located on Sydney Harbour at South Head, near Watsons Bay, New South Wales. Commissioned in 1945 , the base served as the RAN's radar training school...
was afforded by the District Medical Officer, Surgeon Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Shane A.C. Watson, whose interest in diving led to research in injuries related to marine animals. Medical Director-General of the Royal Australian Navy, Surgeon Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Lionel Lockwood, recognized the need for a specialisation
Specialty (medicine)
A specialty in medicine is a branch of medical science. After completing medical school, physicians or surgeons usually further their medical education in a specific specialty of medicine by completing a multiple year residency to become a medical specialist.-History of medical specialization:To...
in diving medicine
Diving medicine
Diving medicine, also called undersea and hyperbaric medicine , is the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions caused by humans entering the undersea environment...
shown by Dr. Watson and appointed Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Rex Grey to service in Underwater Medicine. Dr. Grey was an anaesthesiologist and accepted this commission on 20 February 1961.
Dr. Grey was trained as a diver and sent to England for seven months to learn about modern diving medicine. He visited the Royal Naval Medical School at Alverstoke
Alverstoke
Alverstoke is a parish in the borough of Gosport, Hampshire, England, that encompasses land stretching from Haslar to Stokes Bay. Alverstoke lies within half a mile of the shore of Stokes Bay and near the head of a creek which extends a mile westward from Portsmouth Harbour...
, the R.N. Physiological Laboratory, the Submarine Training School at HMS Dolphin, Diving School HMS Vernon
HMS Vernon (shore establishment)
HMS Vernon was a shore establishment or 'stone frigate' of the Royal Navy. Vernon was established on 26 April 1876 as the Royal Navy's Torpedo Branch and operated until 1 April 1996, when the various elements comprising the establishment were split up and moved to different commands.-Foundation...
, and the RN Air Medical School at Seafield Park. Following his time in England, he travelled to the United States, where he spent two weeks each in the Experimental Diving Unit
United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit
The United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit is the primary source of diving and hyperbaric operational guidance for the US Navy...
, Washington Navy Yard, and with the Medical Research Laboratory
Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory
The Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory is located on the New London Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut. The laboratory's mission is to protect the health and enhance the performance of United States War Fighters through focused submarine, diving, and surface research solutions.-History...
, Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
, returning to Australia in July, 1962, aboard HMAS Supply
HMAS Supply
HMAS Supply was a of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Royal Australian Navy ....
.
The first School of Underwater Medicine Report was issued in 1963 and outlined the need for communication with organizations with similar interests such as carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs after enough inhalation of carbon monoxide . Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas, but, being colorless, odorless, tasteless, and initially non-irritating, it is very difficult for people to detect...
and recompression chambers. The first eight day Underwater Medicine course was held in May 1963, when Surgeon Lieutenant Commander A.A. Reid, and was followed by a thirteen day course by Surgeon Lieutenant Commander B.M. Wadham, in June 1963.
External links
- Technical reports from the Royal Australian Navy, School of Underwater Medicine, stored by the Rubicon FoundationRubicon FoundationRubicon Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization devoted to contributing to the interdependent dynamic between research, exploration, science and education. The foundation, started in 2002, is located in Durham, North Carolina and is primarily supported by donations and grants. Funding has...