What is Nitrox?
Enriched Air Nitrox, Oxygen Enriched Air, Nitrox, EANx, Safe Air
Breathing in the Deep
The common gasses used in diving include compressed air and Nitrox. Nitrox is a mixture of gas composed of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrox also contains normal air, which is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% of other gasses, primarily argon.
Scuba diving is diving with a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, that is completely independent of surface supply. Providing the diver with the advantages of underwater mobility whilst being able to sustain life at underwater pressures. Embolism results when gasses in the lung expand during ascent and rupture lung tissue, causing air bubbles to enter the bloodstream.
The Usage of Nitrox
Enriched Air Nitrox is often used in scuba diving, to reduce the proportion of nitrogen in the breathing gas mixture. Reducing the proportion of nitrogen by increasing the proportion of oxygen reduces the risk decompression sickness for the same dive profile. (see Appendix 2) Nitrox also allows for extended dive times without the need for decompression stops. (see Appendix 3) One of the more significant aspects of this application is the extended no-stop time when using the Nitrox mixtures. The exact values of the extended no-stop times vary on the decompression table used to derive the tables used for the no-stop times, varying on the percent Nitrox used. It is based on the partial pressures of nitrogen at the dive depth. This principle can be used to calculate an equivalent air depth with the same partial pressure as nitrogen. This depth is less than the actual dive depth for oxygen enriched mixtures. Nitrox is not a safer gas than the alternative, compressed air, in all aspects. Although it ...
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... process of dissolving inert gasses from the diver’s body.
Appendix 4
Nitrogen narcosis:
Not to be confused with decompression sickness, is a reversible alteration in consciousness that occurs while diving at any depth. It is caused by an anaesthetic effect of certain gasses at high pressure. The word, derived from narke a "temporary decline or loss of senses and movement, numbness." It should be noted that narcosis produces a state similar to drunkenness (alcohol intoxication), or nitrous oxide inhalation. It can occur during shallow dives, although not usually noticed before depths less than 100ft (30m).
Appendix 5
Gas blending:
The filling of diving cylinders with non-air breathing gasses like Nitrox, Trimix and Heliox. The concentration of inert gasses (such as helium and nitrogen) are planned and checked to avoid nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness.
Since the early 1980’s Grimwood (2000) has studied and implemented the use of water fog spray directly into the fire gas layers from a fog nozzle, also termed (3-D) water fog, developed by the Swedish Fire service. Grimwood reviews studies and tests conducted by the U.S. Navy. Compared to a straight stream attack using a smooth bore nozzle three significant observations were recorded, the time spent fighting fire was reduced, the working heart rates of the firefighters were reduced, and peak body temperatures of the firefighters were lowered, while implementing the (3-D) water fog technique from a fog nozzle. The author indicates that over the last 10-20 years Line of duty Deaths (LODD) from flashovers, or ignition of the fire gases, in the United States, has increased, while in Sweden there has been a decrease in LODD’s since the uses of fog nozzles was adopted during this same time period. Grimwood evaluates several spe...
A pneumothorax is defined as “the presence of air or gas in the plural cavity which can impair oxygenation and/or ventilation” (Daley, 2014). The development of a pneumothorax to a tension pneumothorax can be caused from positive pressure ventilation.
This fluid is made up of 32.5% urea in 67.5% de-ionized water. This mixture is then injected into the exhaust stream using an advanced catalyst system. When DEF is released into the exhaust stream the hot exhaust causes the fluid to release ammonia which then breaks down the greenhouse harming gas of NOx into nitrogen and water. This fluid must be refilled at approximately every 10,000 miles (Voelcker).
Divers cannot put the equipment on and immediately dive in. Before diving there are a series of procedures the diver and their partners must do before going down. In addition, the further down the diver dives the more pressure pressing down on the diver which lessens the amount of oxygen in the scuba tank. Therefore, the further down the diver dives the less time the diver can spend on the bottom. But now, by far the largest group of divers is “Recreational Divers”. These dives are practiced at depths of less than 130 feet, from these depths, divers can make a straight ascent to the surface. Diving beyond this limit requires advanced training. Also, when diving the diver must take into account the amount of time spent descending and ascending in the water. If the diver descends too quickly the pressure can deflate their lungs and cause problems. Similarly, if they ascend too quickly nitrogen bubbles can form under the diver’s skin causing bends or decompression sickness. This sickness can be extremely harmful and possibly fatal. Lastly, a dive watch or computer is needed to calculate the amount of oxygen left in their tank and the depth. Dive computers help the divers be aware of their conditions and keep them
Scuba diving itself can be challenging at times. Imagine having a difficult task, like welding, to perform at the same time as scuba diving. This is a task that can cost you your life if not done correctly and as safely as possible.
Medical technology today has achieved remarkable feats in prolonging the lives of human beings. Respirators can support a patient's failin...
pulmonary ventilation - During this process the air is inhaled through the nasal and/or oral cavities. It
N.A. “Traffic Safety facts 2011: Alcohol-Impaired Diving.” National Highway Traffic Administration. 2012. Web. 2 April 2014. .
Pressure, the weight pushing on something, is a vital part of scuba diving. As a diver sinks deeper into the water, the pressure pushing on the person's lungs pushes harder. This can be very dangerous to a person's safety. While the water is pushing on the outside of the lungs, pressure in the inside of the lungs is pushing out. If this pressure isn't the same as the weight from the water pushing on the lungs, the diver could have breathing problems and possibly die. To equalize these two pressures, modern scuba gear is equipped with a device attached to the air hose called a demand regulator that controls the flow of air getting to the lungs, changing the pressure inside.
It consists of a syringe pump that is fitted to the person’s nose or mouth with a mask. This causes the air to flow from the device to the person’s lungs when the device is compressed and out of the lungs when the device is stretched. Automatic ventilation is widely used as it does not require operator intervention. The patient Interface for these automated ventilators can be categorized into two pressure ventilators, positive pressure ventilators and negative pressure ventilators. The positive ventilator circuit can have one or two breathing tubes. The ventilator circuits can either be tracheostomy tube into the subject’s throat, or a mask that covers the patient’s mouth and nose. Negative pressure ventilators are a type of ventilators that have patient enclose just their rib cage and abdomen or might have their whole body enclosed except your head
There are an estimated 8,000 deaths per year in the United States from drowning. Near-drowning occurs anywhere from 2-20 times more frequently (for estimated 16,000-160,000 events per year)7. The definitions for drowning and near-drowning have for the longest time been very confusing to understand. Recent health officials have attempted to resolve some of this confusion by redefining drowning as “the process of experiencing respiratory insufficiency or difficulty following a submersion or immersion in a body of liquid.” Near-drowning has also been redefined as “survival from a drowning event which involved impaired consciousness or water inhalation for 24 hours or more”2. Both near drowning and near-drowning occur when someone experiences a submersion event. A submersion event is when someone, in this case a pediatric patient, experiences an unexpected submersion in water. When an unexpected submersion, regardless of water type (salt or fresh) occurs, the individual experiences breath hold, panic, and a struggle to resurface1. Humans, naturally, can only hold their breath for a short period of time. This prolonged breath hold results in hypoxia and eventually leads to involuntary gasping. As the individual attempts to gasp for air they sometimes aspirate7. This paper will attempt to look at the clinical presentation of a near-drowning patient who has suffered from a submersion event.
Scuba diving is a sport in which you can lose yourself to the beauty of the underwater world and escape gravity for a short time. You can wander among kelp forests or swim with sleek noble sharks. You can find a fortune in Spanish ducats or lose yourself in the beauty of the underwater realm. Some may say though that diving is an extreme sport and that it is too risky for anyone, it's just for the wild hooligans. Scuba Diving is a safe and enjoyable hobby despite the small risk involved. Haven't you ever wondered what it was like to swim with the fish? Or see why all of those people would want to were all that funny looking gear and go under the water?
We have all been underwater at some point in life whether it was in a pool, lake, or in the ocean, but that was probably for a short amount of time. With Scuba Diving, you get the opportunity to be underwater for more than 10 minutes at a time without having to worry about things on the surface. With Scuba Diving already having been banned temporarily a while ago in Crater Lake because of concern about the environmental impacts of invasive species to the marine ecosystems, some people think that Scuba Diving could become banned in more places, if nothing is done to combat the problem. Today, I will discuss Scuba Diving and its effect on the environment along with how to make it safer for the environment. During this past year, I learned to scuba dive and was certified for Scuba Diving at Neptune Dive and Ski. Today, I will discuss the effect of Scuba Diving on the environment through my research, product, and learning stretch. The first task that I was faced with was gathering information about Scuba Diving and researching the problem and the multiple ways to resolve the problem that it has on the environment. I researched the problem and ways to resolve the problem that Scuba Diving has on the environment, with my thesis focusing on how Scuba Diving although damaging to marine life and plants, could with the proper training be one of the best helpers of the present and for the future of the ocean life. Scuba Divers go into some of the nicest bodies of water in the world with the intent to observe and interact with the environment that is beneath the water. However, some Scuba Divers lack the proper training and knowledge necessary to dive in the water safely and carefully. Scuba Diving is meant for recreational use and for educat...
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