ON THE USE OF OXYGEN TO FACILITATE DECOMPRESSION

1 January 1980

journal article
research article

Vol. 51 (6) , 544-550

Abstract

O2 is widely used at elevated partial pressures to facilitate decompression, yet the optimum dosage and the magnitude of the beneficial effects are poorly known. This is because O2 enhancements, expressed as increases in the allowed pressure reductions, are small and easily masked by individual variation. O2 can be detrimental and the range from a therapeutic to a toxic dose is narrow. Berhage and McCracken recently reported 2 massive investigations involving 1185 rats and 60 experimental conditions. They suggest the conventional concept of an equivalent air depth (EAD) is untenable and O2 must be considered in calculating the total tissue gas tension. Berghage and McCracken''s observations are compatible with a model in which the tensions of O2 and CO2 dissolved in tissue are considered. This model agrees with EAD predictions of O2 enhancements for subtoxic O2 pressures.

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