Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
These range from the toxic effects of oxygen at high partial pressure, [40] through buildup of carbon dioxide due to excessive work of breathing and increased dead space, [41] to the exacerbation of the toxic effects of contaminants in the breathing gas due to the increased concentration at high pressures, [42] and include effects on the ...
Oxygen toxicity is a concern for underwater divers, those on high concentrations of supplemental oxygen, and those undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The result of breathing increased partial pressures of oxygen is hyperoxia, an excess of oxygen in body tissues. The body is affected in different ways depending on the type of exposure.
These are not dangerous in themselves, but may result in the diver getting lost, swimming into an entrapment hazard or under an overhang, violating a decompression obligation, or running out of breathing gas. Lack of light or absorption of light by turbidity. A dive light can provide light if the visibility is sufficient.
Oxygen toxicity is a condition resulting from the harmful effects of breathing molecular oxygen (O 2 ) partial pressures significantly greater than found in atmospheric air at sea level. Severe cases can result in cell damage and death, with effects most often seen in the central nervous system, lungs and eyes.
The underwater environment presents a constant hazard of asphyxiation due to drowning. Breathing apparatus used for diving is life-support equipment, and failure can have fatal consequences – reliability of the equipment and the ability of the diver to deal with a single point of failure are essential for diver safety.
The human physiology of underwater diving is the physiological influences of the underwater environment on human divers, and adaptations to operating underwater, both during breath-hold dives and while breathing at ambient pressure from a suitable breathing gas supply.
The chamber is pressurised with air to 3.7 bars (370 kPa; 54 psi). The subject in the centre is breathing 100% oxygen from a mask. Although oxygen is essential to life, in concentrations greater than normal it becomes toxic, overcoming the body's natural defences (antioxidants), and causing cell death in any part of the body.
Narcosis results from breathing gases under elevated pressure, and may be classified by the principal gas involved. The noble gases, except helium and probably neon, [2] as well as nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen cause a decrement in mental function, but their effect on psychomotor function (processes affecting the coordination of sensory or cognitive processes and motor activity) varies widely.