July 31, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR LAUREN BATTE IN MD
A diver who remains underwater for a sufficient duration so that the
diver's tissue gases reach equilibrium with the pressure environment
earns the title of Aquanaut. In other words, an Aquanaut is a diver who
has experienced a "saturation" dive. So, I believe the answer to the
question is no, there is only one type of Aquanaut.

However, Aquanauts can perform any number of tasks while living in a
saturation condition. These tasks and purposes of the Aquanauts can
range from science (marine or other) to technician to military uses to
even Astronauts who have saturated underwater to train for conditions in
outer space.