Carbon Dioxide Effects under Conditions of Raised Environmental Pressure
Abstract
Exposure to the increased barometric pressure, such as encountered under water, affects the mechanics of respiration and in particular the behavior of respiratory gases. Carbon dioxide plays a major role in the physiology of the high-pressure environment since increased breathing resistance easily leads to carbon dioxide retention, as has frequently been noted in scuba and helmet diving. Pulmonary gas exchange in breathhold diving is influenced by the compression and decompression events, resulting in a reversed carbon dioxide gradient during descent. The alveolar carbon dioxide level can be controlled during ascent from depth by controlling the speed of ascent which is of significance to both breathhold diving and the buoyant ascents of submarine escape. Investigations of pulmonary gas exchange in rest and exercise during exposure to high pressure while breathing helium-oxygen gas mixtures have demonstrated the existence of respiratory limitations and associated CO2 retention when divers are performing heavy work. In shallow habitat air diving using combinations of air and normoxic nitrogen-oxygen breathing mixtures, evidence for the development of slight respiratory acidosis and CO2 retention was obtained.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 26, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA020472
Entities
People
- Karl E. Schaefer
Organizations
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory