5 - UTD Gas-Selection-2020

Gas Selection Gas Selection
Partial pressure
Dalton’s Law:
In a gas mix the total pressure equals the sum of that
gas’s partial pressures.
• Gas laws for breathing gasses

Gas % Partial Pressure
• The three gases we breathe
• Issues with nitrogen, oxygen and Oxygen 21 % 0,21 bar / 3.05 psi
helium
• Math made simple Nitrogen 79 % 0,79 bar / 11.46 psi +
• Tracking your exposure to oxygen
Air 100 % 1,00 bar / 14.51 psi
P(total) = PPN2 + PPO2 + PPCO2 + PPother

John Dalton (1766 - 1844)
© 2020 UTD Scuba Diving, LLC www.utdscubadiving.com © 2020 UTD Scuba Diving, LLC www.utdscubadiving.com
Gas absorption Breathing gasses

Henry’s Law:
Gas will move in or out of a liquid to maintain equilibrium between the partial
pressures of the ambient and the dissolved gas. If there is a pressure difference Surface 60 ft/18m 100 ft/30m Deeper than 100 ft/30m
between ambient and dissolved gas a gradient is present. By lowering the
nitrogen in the gas we will lower the partial pressure of that gas at depth.
• Air • Nitrox • Trimix
p.p.N2 – Nitrogen – Oxygen – Helium
0.79 bar Surface Surface • Air Maladies • O2 window and • END
• Nitrogen Maladies • EAD • Helium Maladies
0.79 P1 S1 • Oxygen Maladies
0.85
• CNS and OTU
—=—
P2 S2
10m/33’ 10m/33’ 10m/33’
William Henry (1774-1836)

1.00 1.20 1.50
p.p.N2
1.58 bar
Air Equivalent Air Depth
Most common gas available The equivalent air depth calculation allows you to use air tables for planning dives on EANx.
• Easy to use (EAD) practice has been in use for over 30 years. This process relates the inspired nitrogen partial pressure
Surface to 60 ft/18m • Easy to get from EANx at a given depth to the inspired nitrogen partial pressure from air at another depth.
–Remote locations
Formula:
Air –Cheap
Equivalent Air Depth – (((1- FO2)( d + 33’/10m)) /.79) – 33’/10m
• Nitrogen • Hard on the body
– Air Maladies Nitrogen Quick EAD Formula
– Nitrogen Maladies • Not involved in metabolism therefore absorbed by
Example: Mix EAD Range
– Density tissues 32% 20% 0 - 100ft/30m
– Poor lipid-out gassing rate What is the EAD if we use nitrox 32 at 100’/30m? 25/25 20% 80ft/24m - 130ft/39m
– Nitrogen post dive stress ((1-.32) (100/30m+33/10m) /.79) - 33 = 81.48’/24.1m Example:
Use the 80ft/24m table
• High gas density
100ft/30m x 20% = 20ft/6m
• Nitrogen narcosis
So 100ft/30m – 20ft/6m6m) = 80ft/24m Table
Nitrox Hypoxia Hyperoxia
• Nitrox vs. Air • PPO2 less than 0.18 bar/ATA • PPO2 greater than 0.5 bar/ATA.
– The high concentration of nitrogen in air • Symptoms: mental confusion, lapses in • O2 Toxicity.
60ft/18m 100ft/30m makes it hard on the body. judgement, loss of consciousness. • Two major forms.
• Unconsciousness and death can occur with • Central nervous system (CNS).
– By offsetting the nitrogen with oxygen, you
Nitrox PPO2 below 0.10 ATA.
reduce decompression stress. • Pulmonary or whole body.
• Oxygen • Common in free diving (shallow water blackout).
– O2 Window • Can happen with hypoxic-trimix for deep diving.
• Oxygen
– Oxygen Maladies
– CNS and OTU – Provides benefit through oxygen window.
% 0% 18% 21% 100%
– Requires more planning.
Hypoxic Normoxic Hyperoxic
– Maladies, hypoxia and hyperoxia.
P 0 bar 0.18 bar 0.21 bar 1.20 bar 1.40 bar 1.60 bar >3.0 bar
– Tracking of your exposure is needed.
Hyperbaric treatment
UTD avg. PPO2
Trimix
Gas Selection • Trimix vs. Nitrox
Narcotic Potential
– The high concentration of oxygen in nitrox
• Lipid solubility of gases is an imperfect though generally recognized predictor of narcotic makes it unsuitable for deeper diving.
100ft/30m and deeper
potency. – By offsetting the nitrogen and oxygen with
• Oxygen, drugs, alcohol, anxiety, fast descent, and difficulty in breathing all seem to Trimix helium you reduce decompression stress and
increase impairment. gas density, also reducing narcosis.
• Helium
Related Problems –END
Impaired mental capacity – decisions are often compromised. • Helium
–Helium maladies
Fixated on particular points to the exclusion of possibly fatal – Provides benefit because of its low mass.
developing circumstances. –END advantage.
– Requires more planning.
O2 is as Narcotic as Nitrogen
• Formula for Equivalent Narcotic Depth – Physiological issues.
–HPNS.
END = (1-(FHe)*ATA’s) END = (1 - 0.35)* 5.5 ata
Example 150’/45m Dive on 21/35 END = 85’/25.75m
Gas Density Calculations

Dense gas causes forcefull exhalation. INHALATION EXHALATION
Gas Density =
Narcotic INHALATION
Solubility Mass Density Fraction of the density of all the gases in a mix
Potency Gas flows into the alveoli
Meyer Overton Molecular mass Gram / Liter (5 Low - 0 X because of the vacuum
High)
depth in bar or ATA created in your lungs.
Nitrogen 0.067 14.007 1.251 1
FORCEFUL EXHALATION
Nitrox 32% dive to 100ft/30m
Oxygen 0.11 15.999 1.428 0.45 Gas flowing through the
air passages is restricted
Nitrogen: 1.251 X 68% = 0.85068 because of the pressure
CO2 1.34 44.01 1.870 0
Oxygen: 1.428 X 32% = 0.45696 in your lungs exerted by
Helium 0.015 4.0026 0.179 4.26 Helium: 0.179 X 00% = 0.0 your exhalation.
TOTAL gas density @ 1 bar/ATA = 1.30764
1.30764 X 4 bar = 5.23056

Oxygen Toxicity CNS Toxicity
Paul Bert oxygen effect Lorraine Smith effect CON Convulsions NOAA PPO2 Limitations for CNS
(CNS Toxicity) (Pulmonary toxicity)
Visual changes • 1.2 ATA - Recommended limit during physical exertion, cold etc.
• Discovered by Paul Bert • Intermediate PPO2 for long periods,
V
• 1.4 ATA - Limit for bottom mix
• Breathing O2 with PPO2’s higher 24 hour dose E Ears (auditory disturbances)
than surface pressure • 1.6 ATA - Limit confined to decompression gases
• Symptoms: coughing, labored Nausea
N • 3.0 ATA - Limit for hyperbaric treatment
• Seizure-like phenomenon breathing, irritated lungs, reduced
• Several theories: vital lung capacity, edema T Twitching
–GABA • Impact measured through the use of
I Irritability UTD PPO2 Limitations for CNS
spirometer
–ROS Reactive Oxygen Species Lorrain Smith D
Paul Bert ( 1833-1886) (1862-1931) • OTU’s are units used to track Dizziness • 1.2 ATA average for bottom mix and deep deco mix
pulmonary toxicity
• 1.6 ATA for shallow decompression gas or oxygen
CNS Toxicity CNS Toxicity

PPO2 Single Exposure 24hr Exposure
Minutes Minutes
Variables thought to increase oxygen susceptibility:
0.6 720 720 60 minute dive at average 1.2 bar PPO2
• Depth 0.8 450 450
• Time of exposure CNS% = (Dive time at PPO2 x 100) / max single exposure
1.0 300 300
• Drugs and medications
1.2 210 240
• Increased CO2 concentration
1.3 180 210 CNS% = (60 minutes x 100) / 210 = 29%
• History of prior seizures
1.4 150 180
• Cold
• Physical exertion 1.5 120 180
• O2 partial pressure 1.6 45 150

• Errors in the analysis of a mix 1.7 10
1.8 2
CNS Toxicity CNS Toxicity
Quick Method:
• Bottom time is at an average PPO2 = 1.2 • Deco Time on O2 at 20 ft/6m and a PPO2 = 1.6
• Max CNS = 200 minutes (rounded down) • Max CNS = 45 minutes
• BT/200 x 100 = BT/2 • O2T/45 x 100 = O2T x 2
• Deep Deco time on nitrox 50 is at average 2.5
ATA’s is PPO2 = 1.25
(Or any other Standard Gas Deco Bottles )
• Max CNS = 200 minutes
• DT/200 x 100 = DT/2
CNS Toxicity Pulmonary Toxicity

Quick Formula: Lorraine Smith Effect
Example: 200 ft/60m for 30 mins and 60 mins • Pulmonary toxicity
of deco. 30 mins on nitrox 50 and 30 mins on O2 • Intermediate PPO2 for long periods, 24 hour
(30/2) + (30/2) + (30 * 2) = 90.0 % dose
• Symptoms: coughing, labored breathing,
Irritated lungs, reduced vital lung capacity,
Bottom Time / 2 30 / 2 = 15 edema
Nitrox 50% Deco Time / 2 30 / 2 = 15 • Impact measured through the use of
O2 Deco Time X 2 + 30 X 2 = 60 + spirometer
• OTU’s are units used to track pulmonary
= Total CNS Total CNS= 90%
toxicity
Calculation from software = 85% • Oxygen limitations are based upon 2% lung
reduction in vital lung capacity
Reasons for Keeping the Bottom PPO2 Low

Battlefield calculation:
Exposure Daily Dose Total Blood vessels in the lungs dilate (open more than necessary)
• Bottom Time x 1.5 OTUs (avg. PPO2 bottoms is 1.2 bar/ATA)
Days Mission • Causes an increase in fluid pressure in the lungs.
• Deco Time x 1.5 OTU’s (avg. PPO2 deco is 1.2 bar/ATA)
1 850 850 • This pressure inflames the lungs, inflammation increases the “thickness" of the lung tissue,
• Deco time on O2 is at a PPO2 1.6, so O2 Deco time x 2.0 OTU’s
2 700 1400 slowing gas exchange.
Example Fluid pushes through the blood/lung barrier, accumulates in the air sacs
3 620 1860
A Diver does a 30 minute dive to 200ft/60m) using 18/45 and 60 • Reduces the surface area available for gas exchange.
minutes deco time (30 mins on nitrox 50 and 30 mins on oxygen) 4 525 2100
• Fluid interferes with the surfactant (coating on the Alveoli).
30 x 1.5 = 45 5 460 2300
• Reduces/eliminates gas transfer across the blood/lung barrier.
30 x 1.5 = 45 6 380 2520
Vasoconstriction of arteries in the extremities
30 x 2 = 60 7 350 2660 • Greatly reducing the off-gassing of the surrounding tissue.
Quick method = 150 OTU's 8 330 2800 (Note: this same process occurs with hypothermia and hypoglycemia.)
Calculation from software = 128 OTU's
9 310 2970
Nowhere near a problem. OTU = 850 is our allowable dosage
UTD Standardized Mixes

Maximum Narcotic Depth
We use standardized mixes to keep it simple.
Here are some parameters of the mixes: PPO2 Gas density
“Our” Working depth to be END at “Our” max
Bottom/Deco Mix MOD EAD “Air top” mixing*
• Bottom mixes have an MOD PPO2 of 1.4 used (Max) depth
bar/ATA.
Nitrox 32% 0 - 100’/30m 111’/33m - 20% depth reduction 14% O2
ppO2 MND
• Bottom mixes have an average PPO2 of 1.2
bar/ATA for “our” working depth.
Helitrox 25/25 100’/30m - 130’/39m 151’/46m 88’/26m 10% depth reduction 12% O2 - 25% HE
Nitrogen: 1,251 X % = 0.85068
• Bottom mixes have a buffer from “our”
working depth and the MOD of 1.4. in Bar/ATA Oxygen: 1.428 X % = 0.45696
Helitrox 21/35 130’/39m - 160’/48m 190’/57m 98’/29m 0% 9% O2 - 35% HE
• Bottom mixes are created by adding helium
depth in Helium: 0.179 X % = 0.0
and then topping with nitrox 32 (easy for depth in
O2% x Bar/ (1-/- %He)

Bar/
Trimix 18/45 170’/51m - 200’/60m 220’/66m 94’/28m 0% 8% O2 - 45% HE
banking 32% and doing trimix fills) or by
quick formulas for “air top.” x TOTAL Gas Density @ 1 Bar/ATA = 1.30764
ATA ATA
Trimix 15/55 210’/63m - 240’/72m 275’/83m 90’/27m 0% 7% O2 - 55% HE
• Deco mixes have an MOD PPO2 of 1.6 bar/
ATA
Trimix 12/60 250’/75m - 300’/90m 352’/106m 100’/30m 0% 5% O2 - 60% HE
Tgd X Depth in bar/ATA = 5.23056
• Deco mixes have an average PPO2 of 1.2
bar/ATA except for the O2 at 20’/6m
Trimix 10/70 310’/93m - 360’/110m 429’/130m 88’’/26m 0% 4% O2 - 70% HE
(averaged over the range the deco mix is
used).
O2 20’/6m 20’/6m - - O2
• Deco mixes are used over an average of five
10ft/3m stops except for O2.
• Helium used is consider to be the higher the Nitrox 50 70’/21m - 30’/9m 70’/21m - - 36% O2
• Choose from the standard gases to simplify.
better but always enough to have a END of
• Don’t choose on best mix!

100ft/30m or less based on a conservative Helitrox 35/25 120’/36m - 80’/24m 120’/36m - - 25% O2 - 25% HE
formula of END=(1-HE)xATA. This formula
assumes O2 to be narcotic. Helitrox 21/35 190’/57m - 130’/39m 190’/57m - - 9% O2 - 35% HE

5 - UTD Gas-Selection-2020

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5 - UTD Gas-Selection-2020

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Gas Selection Gas Selection

• Gas laws for breathing gasses

P(total) = PPN2 + PPO2 + PPCO2 + PPother

Gas Selection Gas Selection

Gas absorption Breathing gasses

William Henry (1774-1836)

Air Equivalent Air Depth

Gas Selection Gas Selection

Nitrox Hypoxia Hyperoxia

Gas Selection Gas Selection

Gas Density Calculations

1.30764 X 4 bar = 5.23056

Oxygen Toxicity CNS Toxicity

Gas Selection Gas Selection

CNS Toxicity CNS Toxicity

• O2 partial pressure 1.6 45 150

CNS Toxicity CNS Toxicity

Gas Selection Gas Selection

CNS Toxicity Pulmonary Toxicity

Reasons for Keeping the Bottom PPO2 Low

Gas Selection Gas Selection

UTD Standardized Mixes

O2% x Bar/ (1-/- %He)

• Don’t choose on best mix!

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