Incidence of Decompression Sickness in Mice as a Function of the Relative Concentrations of Helium and Nitrogen in the Inspired Gas Mixture.
Abstract
Two hundred fifty mice were exposed to a pressure equivalent to 400 feet of seawater for 30 minutes while breathing a mixture of 2.09 - 2.33% oxygen and either (1) 97.8% N2, (2) 73.0% N2 24.6% He, (3) 48.7% N2 49.1% He, (4) 23.7% N2 74.2% He, or (5) 97.8% He. In each case, decompression to sea level followed an exponential course and was 90% complete in approximately 8 sec. The incidence of decompression sickness, as manifested by hind limb paralysis, convulsions and death, was found to vary with the relative proportions of helium and nitrogen in the inspired gas mixture. The greatest incidence was observed with the mixture containing nitrogen alone; the least with the mixture having equal proportions of nitrogen and helium in the inert gas fraction. Statistically, the bends incidence with all four mixtures containing helium was significantly lower (P<.001) than the bends incidence with the mixture containing only nitrogen. The differences in bends incidence between the mixtures containing helium, however, were not statistically significant. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0738437
Entities
People
- D. G. Long
- Edward T. Flynn
- Timothy G. Wex
Organizations
- United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit