Rebreather World - View Single Post - Very deep dives inflation gas choice

Drmike · 3rd May 2006, 07:12

Ok I know squat about this subject and am trying to get my head around it.

If anyone has any knowledge on this Im all ears.

My question related to Drysuit infation gas and risk of skin bends on CCR dives in the 150-200m range

I have read (see below) that some view argon or even air (if your on high He mix or Heliox) as a potential problem for suit inflation at these depths

"A complication with Argon is, as you are unlikely to be breathing it, there is a large pressure gradient between inert gases in both your skin and other tissue. This causes skin bends minimally, on larger dives."

My question is - is this true? If there is a need to keep the suit inflation gas the same as the breathing mix that would be hard to achieve with a ccr where the breathing mix changes with depth.

Or is the Argon molecule too big to defuse through the skin making this a non issue?

Is Nitrogen also too big to diffuse? making air acceptable?

Agron is not readily available in some of the remote sites Im diving so would air be ok for suit inflation when doing high He or Heliox dives in 150-200m range?

Cheers
Mike

3rd May 2006, 07:12	#1 (permalink)
Drmike RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,378	Very deep dives inflation gas choice - risk of skin bends for Rebreather dives Ok I know squat about this subject and am trying to get my head around it. If anyone has any knowledge on this Im all ears. My question related to Drysuit infation gas and risk of skin bends on CCR dives in the 150-200m range I have read (see below) that some view argon or even air (if your on high He mix or Heliox) as a potential problem for suit inflation at these depths "A complication with Argon is, as you are unlikely to be breathing it, there is a large pressure gradient between inert gases in both your skin and other tissue. This causes skin bends minimally, on larger dives." My question is - is this true? If there is a need to keep the suit inflation gas the same as the breathing mix that would be hard to achieve with a ccr where the breathing mix changes with depth. Or is the Argon molecule too big to defuse through the skin making this a non issue? Is Nitrogen also too big to diffuse? making air acceptable? Agron is not readily available in some of the remote sites Im diving so would air be ok for suit inflation when doing high He or Heliox dives in 150-200m range? Cheers Mike __________________ Cave diving is a sport Wreck diving is a sport Diving in general is a sport 'Rebreather diving' is not a sport its the delusional obsession with a highly dangerous and often inappropriate piece of equipment
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