The United States Navy is looking to make missions safer for its divers with a new life support system.

According to Engadget, recently unveiled diving suit prototype is designed to be more efficient than previous models by using less helium.

Today's available suits use the Fly-Away Mixed Gas System (FMGS), which vents gases exhaled by the divers into the ocean. This entire process wastes huge amounts of oxygen and helium.

Navy scientists said that the new suit comes with an update helmet and breather. Tests showed that the new suit can help to save helium at a time when the world is experiencing a shortage in noble gas.

Dr. John Camperman, principal investigator at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Panama City, said, "This new, semi-closed system was conceived to drastically reduce helium requirements. And where possible we also incorporated proven technology in the system in order to speed transition to operators".

Camperman said tests showed that several life support characteristics are improved, including extended emergency come-home gas duration.

The suits which require very less helium gives the Navy an opportunity to save money because divers will be able to use smaller vehicles as the suits take up less space in vessels, Engadget reported.

This will also make it easier for divers to escape in dangerous situations and for first responders to quickly reach locations that are difficult to get to.

The Navy is developing the diving suit under the Initial Response Diving (IRD) project, which is aimed at helping divers to recover objects more quickly, within 36 hours of deployment in depths of 600 feet across the world.