Nitrox Physiology

Nitrox Physiology

May 2007

PHYS/1

Nitrox Physiology

Introduction
Same physiological effects as air diving MOD is 56m - 21% O2 We will cover

Partial pressure Pressure T Oxygen use Oxygen toxicity Nitrogen

May 2007

PHYS/2

Nitrox Physiology

Partial Pressure
Pressure each gas exerts in a mix
(Daltons Law)
At constant temperature, in a mixture of gases each constiutent gas exerts a partial perssure in proportion to its percentage in the mixture

On surface pressure 1 Bar Air is 21% oxygen, 79% nitrogen

pPO2 is 0.21 pPN2 is 0.79

EAN36 is 36% oxygen, 64% nitrogen

pPO2 is 0.36 pPN2 is 0.64
May 2007

PHYS/3

Nitrox Physiology

Boyles Law

May 2007

PHYS/4

Nitrox Physiology

Partial Pressure
Pressure at depth: P = (D / 10) +1
(where P = Pressure (bar) & D = depth (metres)

Air breathed at ambient pressure Example:

On air at 25m pPO2 is 0.21 x 3.5 = 0.74 bar On EAN36 at 25m pPO2 is 0.36 x 3.5 = 1.26 bar

May 2007

PHYS/4a

Nitrox Physiology

The Pressure T
Three variables:

Partial pressure of gas pPg Decimal fraction of gas in mix Fg Pressure P Use Pressure T
pPg = Fg P Fg = pPg/P

Fg P

pPg

P = pPg/Fg

May 2007

PHYS/5

Nitrox Physiology

The Pressure T for nitrox

pPg = Fg P

Fg = pPg/P

Fg P

pPg

Partial pressure of gas pPg Fraction of gas in mix Fg Pressure P

P = pPg/Fg

May 2007

PHYS/5a

Nitrox Physiology

The Pressure T for nitrox

Examples

On a dive holiday you are given a 32%

mix (EAN32) What depth is this safe to dive to?

To find the MOD you need to use the

pPg of 1.4 for O2 and the % of the mix in your cylinder ~ 0.32

Fg P
May 2007

pPg

0.32 P

1.4

P = 1.4 / 0.32 = 4.4 bar therefore the max depth for this mix is 34m
PHYS/5b

Nitrox Physiology

The Pressure T for nitrox

Examples

You want to dive to 30m what is the best

nitrox mix to use for this depth?

To find the mix you need to use the pPg

of 1.4 for O2 and the P of the dive ~ depth 30m (4 bar)

Fg P
May 2007

pPg

Fg 4

1.4

Fg = 1.4 / 4 = 0.35% therefore a 35% mix is good for a 30m dive

PHYS/5c

Nitrox Physiology

The Pressure T for nitrox

Examples

You have a 28% Nitrox mix. You want to

dive to 40m.Is this a good mix for this depth?

You know percentage of O2 (28%) & P

of the dive ~ depth 40m (5 bar),therfore you need to find the pPg

Fg P
May 2007

pPg

0.28 5

pPg

pPg = .28 x 5 = 1.4 therefore a mix of 28% is good for a 40m dive (just about)
PHYS/5d

Nitrox Physiology

Oxygen Use
Survive pPO2 of 0.16 to 0.50 pPO2 0.16 and under hypoxia pPO2 0.50 and over hyperoxia High pPO2 and time toxicity Oxygen Toxicity hit
Central Nervous System (CNS) Quick hit Pulmonary Toxicity Slow hit
May 2007

PHYS/6

Nitrox Physiology

Table 1 - Oxygen Limits for Divers

Partial Pressure (bar) <0.10 0.10 0.12 0.16 0.21 0.35 0.50 1.40 1.60 2.40 3.00
May 2007

Effect Coma or Death Unconsciousness Serious Hypoxia First signs of Hypoxia Normal air environment Normal saturation exposure Maximum saturation exposure CFT Recreational MOD Limit CFT decompression limit 60/40 Nitrox therapy gas at 6 Bar 50/50 Nitrox therapy gas at 6 Bar
PHYS/7

Nitrox Physiology

Oxygen Toxicity Limits

CFT recommendations: 1.4 Bar maximum partial pressure of oxygen for recreational diving. Used to determine MOD

May 2007

PHYS/8

Nitrox Physiology

NOAA Table 2
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Depth and time Safe exposure times - maximum Higher pPO2 shorter exposure Rules 2 hour break 12 hour break Breaks on air

CFT recommend that dives are

calculated to remain within 80% of the limit as a precautionary measure
May 2007

PHYS/9

Nitrox Physiology

Table 2 NOAA
Oxygen Partial Pressure (Bar) 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6
May 2007

Maximum Duration for Single Exposure 45 120 150 (120) 180 210 240 300 360 450 570 720

Maximum Total Duration 24 hour 150 180 180 (144) 210 240 270 300 360 450 570 720 PHYS/9a

Nitrox Physiology

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100

CNS% / min

pO2 (bar)

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

Max. dive time (min)

May 2007

PHYS/10

Max. dive time (min)

CNS% / min

Nitrox Physiology

Oxygen Toxicity
Two types
Pulmonary ~ Slow hit Central nervous system ~ Quick hit

Pulmonary toxicity

Whole body toxicity Long term exposure to oxygen Irritate lungs, dry cough Not considered problem for recreational diving

May 2007

PHYS/11

Nitrox Physiology

Oxygen Toxicity
Central Nervous System (CNS)

Toxicity increases with pPO2 Acute symptoms no warning No tolerence buildup possible Limits exceeded CNS toxicity Predisposing factors - fatigue-workload-temperature-hydration Symptoms as per ConVENTID

May 2007

PHYS/12

Nitrox Physiology

CNS Symptoms
Con = Convulsions V = Visual disturbances E = Ears - e.g. tinnitus (ringing in ears) N = Nausea T = Twitching of muscles, especially facial I = Irritability D = Dizziness, lack of coordination
May 2007

PHYS/13

Nitrox Physiology

Oxygen Convulsions
Tonic phase rigid Clonic phase spasms Breathing ceases Ascend when spasms cease Expel air from lungs Risk of drowning No lasting damage Keep within recommended levels
May 2007

PHYS/14

Nitrox Physiology

CNS O2 Hit ~ Treatment

Surface may not be first option Ensure regulator is in victims mouth Allow convulsion to cease Ascend at safe rate Treat as unconscious diver Embolism poses greater risk over drowning
and DCI

May 2007

PHYS/15

Nitrox Physiology

Oxygen Toxicity
Susceptibility to oygen toxicity:

pPO2 Depth Time Carbon dioxide retention Temperature Fatigue Dehydration

May 2007

PHYS/15

Nitrox Physiology

Nitrogen
Narcotic effect Decompression sickness EANx mixtures less nitrogen Balance oxygen & nitrogen

May 2007

PHYS/17

Nitrox Physiology

Safety

Stay within 1.4 bar oxygen limit Stay in maximum exposure time Stay in thermal balance Breathe normally Keep exercise to minimum Dont dive when fatigued Hydrate properly Use decompression schedules correctly Reset nitrox computer before each dive
PHYS/18

May 2007

Nitrox Physiology

Summary
Covered Nitrox physiology:

Partial pressure Pressure T Oxygen use Oxygen toxicity Nitrogen

May 2007

PHYS/19