Dr Val Hempleman, a leading British scientist in the development of diving decompression tables over the past 50 years, has died, aged 84.

Dr Hempleman worked at the Royal Naval Physiological Laboratory (RNPL) from the early 1950s to the mid-1980s. Though an MoD employee, he had a direct influence on sport diving.

He oversaw development of the Royal Navy’s postwar diving tables - and it was an adapted, simplified version of these used by British Sub-Aqua Club divers from 1972 to 1988, when they were replaced by the BSAC 88 tables.

Dr Hempleman also conducted submarine escape research at the RNPL, and the results were instrumental in the BSAC's decision not to include controlled ascents from depth in its training programme, due to the risks inherent in the procedure.

Between 1970 and 1980, Dr Hempleman managed landmark deep-diving experiments which had ramifications for all deep diving, naval or otherwise. Volunteers made dry chamber dives first to 457m, later to 660m where they were able to live for several days.

In retirement Dr Hempleman, among other things, served as Diver magazine's diving physiology consultant up to the time of his death.

He leaves a widow, Barbara, who worked at RNPL in the early years; married sons Robert and Andrew; and grandchildren Aston, Freya and Lucy.

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