Decompression Times

Frazer · Decompression Times

Divers aren't the only ones who have to decompress, also Astronauts do when they space walk, but they've taken it to the next level, before going out to space, they get on an exersize bike and breathe pure O2, so they have minimal levels of nitrogen in their blood before they start, giving them shorter decompression times.

Any chance of this ever being transferred to diving? Any other thoughts on this?

Mad

charlie

On the last shuttle mission, they used an alternative technique:

Decompression sickness can occur during spacewalks because the International Space Station is normally at a pressure of 101.3 kilopascals (14.7 pounds per square inch), but the pressure inside a spacesuit during a spacewalk is just 29.6 kPa (4.3 psi).

At the higher pressure inside the station, nitrogen in the air can dissolve in the blood and tissues, just as it does for divers.

Previously, astronauts prepared for a spacewalk on the ISS by exercising on a stationary bicycle and wearing an oxygen mask. Exercise helps purge nitrogen out of the bloodstream because it increases blood circulation, while oxygen – unlike nitrogen – is used by the body and does not build up in the blood and tissues.

But on this mission, the pairs of astronauts will spend the night before each spacewalk in the equipment lock of the station's Quest airlock – which will be lowered to a pressure of 70.3 kPa (10.2 psi) – to purge nitrogen from their blood.

http://www.newscientistspace.com/...to-camp-out-on-space-station.html

To answer your point about breathing different gas mixtures: that's exactly what some divers already do. Trimix comprises a reduced % of N2 to decrease DCS. They can also have stage cylinders with different mixes, using those with increased % of O2 as they ascend (remember that depth and high % O2 don't mix). Some divers even go on to 100% O2 at shallow depths, and of course you can carry on breathing enriched mixes on the surface.

Also, saturation divers use a technique similar to the astronauts' airlock scheme by remaining pressurised in diving bells and chambers between dives for extended periods.

Edd

always full of knowledge!!! Cool

Shug

I'm all for Fraz going for a cycle in his kit before a dive. Anyone else?