deepmaxim
Registered
Hi folks,
I do have a question regarding your experiences and theoretical thoughts on the use of ArgOx (Argon+Oxygen mixes) for improvement of decompression.
We know from different sources that the solubility of Argon in fat is expected about 2,25 times the one of nitrogen. Other experiments with mice have shown narcosis potential of about 2-3 times of nitrogen.
Anyway, last weekend our team has tried the use of Argox50 (50% Oxygen +50% Argon) on decompression (only 35 mins) from 21m upwards without noticing any strong effects of higher narcosis in real life. Work of breathing also seemed to be at reasonable levels without increasing risks of CO2 hits.
So far so good. As you may imagine our idea behind using Argon for decompression is eliminating any inert gases with which our tissues are already loaded (but O2) from the breathing mix. This is to increase the Delta partial pressures of gases in the tissues and in the breathing gas to speed up off-gasing for faster/safer decompression. Replacing EAN50 or TX50/25 with Argox50 seemed to be the best way to introduce ArgOx in decompression planning as its then used widely in the range where it still makes sense from narcosis point of view.
Now I want to know from you if you have any practical experience or theoretical thoughts on the use of Argon. This would especially be interesting when it comes to the calculation of decompression times. Our first idea was to modify Bühlman with gradient factors and to introduce argon besides nitrogen and oxygen as a third gas. Calculation of factors a and b is in this case would be something that I would be interested in your thoughts. Would it be an safe alternative to just skip Argon calculation, use EAN50 for calculation and profit from additional safety margins or do I miss something (e.g. the argon-load itself creating potential risk)? Is it safe (probably not) to just skip argon calculation and use only 50%O2 without any other gas in the deco calculation as argon on-gasing would be so slow it would practically not contribute to decompression calculation as other factors will be leading the calculation?
Im looking forward to a good discussion.
Thanks and best regards
Maxim Vasiljev and Michael Protogerakis
I do have a question regarding your experiences and theoretical thoughts on the use of ArgOx (Argon+Oxygen mixes) for improvement of decompression.
We know from different sources that the solubility of Argon in fat is expected about 2,25 times the one of nitrogen. Other experiments with mice have shown narcosis potential of about 2-3 times of nitrogen.
Anyway, last weekend our team has tried the use of Argox50 (50% Oxygen +50% Argon) on decompression (only 35 mins) from 21m upwards without noticing any strong effects of higher narcosis in real life. Work of breathing also seemed to be at reasonable levels without increasing risks of CO2 hits.
So far so good. As you may imagine our idea behind using Argon for decompression is eliminating any inert gases with which our tissues are already loaded (but O2) from the breathing mix. This is to increase the Delta partial pressures of gases in the tissues and in the breathing gas to speed up off-gasing for faster/safer decompression. Replacing EAN50 or TX50/25 with Argox50 seemed to be the best way to introduce ArgOx in decompression planning as its then used widely in the range where it still makes sense from narcosis point of view.
Now I want to know from you if you have any practical experience or theoretical thoughts on the use of Argon. This would especially be interesting when it comes to the calculation of decompression times. Our first idea was to modify Bühlman with gradient factors and to introduce argon besides nitrogen and oxygen as a third gas. Calculation of factors a and b is in this case would be something that I would be interested in your thoughts. Would it be an safe alternative to just skip Argon calculation, use EAN50 for calculation and profit from additional safety margins or do I miss something (e.g. the argon-load itself creating potential risk)? Is it safe (probably not) to just skip argon calculation and use only 50%O2 without any other gas in the deco calculation as argon on-gasing would be so slow it would practically not contribute to decompression calculation as other factors will be leading the calculation?
Im looking forward to a good discussion.
Thanks and best regards
Maxim Vasiljev and Michael Protogerakis