Medical Team
CBBT Chesapeak Bay Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project
Overview
This project aims to provide the traveling public with a safe, cost-effective, and unique driving experience across the scenic Chesapeake Bay. We announce the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a 17.6-mile bridge and tunnel complex that spans the lower Chesapeake Bay and connects Virginia’s Eastern Shore with the mainland in Virginia Beach. The Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel project involves the construction of a two-lane bored tunnel from the CBBT’s southernmost island (#1 Island) under the Thimble Shoal Channel to #2 Island. When complete, the new tunnel will carry two lanes of southbound traffic, and the existing tunnel will carry two lanes of northbound traffic. The new Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel will be the first transportation tunnel constructed in the Mid-Atlantic region by a tunnel boring machine (TBM).
Scope of Work
The U.S. Hyperbaric Tunnel and Dive Medical Team provided onsite medical assessments and emergency medical care for Ballard Marine Construction's commercial divers and onsite compressed air workers. Data continues to be collected by the research division regarding the O'Neill Grading System (OGS) used for detecting middle ear barotrauma and Eustachian tube dysfunction, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, using video-otoscopy. Additionally, the research division is working with the Office of Naval Research and the University of Maryland to define microparticles as they relate to compression and potential decompression sickness. The research team is collecting blood sample before and after each hyperbaric compression twice weekly on the CAWS.
Services
24/7 Onsite medical care of all commercial divers and compressed air workers.
Help mitigate the risk of decompression sickness while working with a hyperbaric chamber supervisor.
Performed pre and post-medical evaluations of all personnel entering and exiting the hyperbaric chamber.
Supervised extrication drills for potentially injured workers.
Performing research duties with the ONR and the University of Maryland.