drrich2
Contributor
Octopusprime:
If I understand correctly, when people breathe nitrox (with % O2 > 21%) or pure oxygen, it's not the oxygen that's speeding the decompression; it's the lower nitrogen.
Nitrogen diffuses out of our bloodstream into the air in our lungs. The greater the difference in nitrogen concentration between our blood & the air in our lungs, the faster the nitrogen diffuses out of our blood.
So, the issue is not how much oxygen is in your breathing mix. The issue is how little nitrogen. Air has roughly 79% nitrogen. Any breathing gas you use with a nitrogen content lower than 79% should speed the rate at which you off-gas nitrogen, speeding your decompression.
Richard (not a technical or deco. diver, so hope I got that laid out right).
If I understand correctly, when people breathe nitrox (with % O2 > 21%) or pure oxygen, it's not the oxygen that's speeding the decompression; it's the lower nitrogen.
Nitrogen diffuses out of our bloodstream into the air in our lungs. The greater the difference in nitrogen concentration between our blood & the air in our lungs, the faster the nitrogen diffuses out of our blood.
So, the issue is not how much oxygen is in your breathing mix. The issue is how little nitrogen. Air has roughly 79% nitrogen. Any breathing gas you use with a nitrogen content lower than 79% should speed the rate at which you off-gas nitrogen, speeding your decompression.
Richard (not a technical or deco. diver, so hope I got that laid out right).