Deco for Divers provides a comprehensive overview of the principles underlying decompression theory and physiology. Mark Powell has written a book that for the first time allows the average diver to fully understand the principles behind this fascinating and critical aspect of diving. As well as a thorough examination of air decompression the book also addresses decompression using nitrox and mixed gases. It is completely up-to-date and includes information on the latest developments including deep stops and advanced bubble models. Deco for Divers bridges the gap between introductory books and specialist scientific journals and is suitable for new as well as highly experienced divers.
CONTENTS
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................1
Chapter 1 Historical Perspective......................................................................................................7
Robert Boyle (1627 - 1691)................................................................................................................7
Rediscovery.......................................................................................................................................8
Caissons Disease...............................................................................................................................8
Paul Bert (1833-1886)......................................................................................................................10
John Scott Haldane (1860-1936)......................................................................................................12
US Navy...........................................................................................................................................15
Robert Workman..............................................................................................................................17
Professor Albert Bühlmann (1923–1994)..........................................................................................17
Chapter 2 Decompression Principles.............................................................................................21
Overview.........................................................................................................................................21
The Air we Breathe..........................................................................................................................22
The Effects of Pressure.....................................................................................................................24
Dalton’s Law....................................................................................................................................25
The Lungs.......................................................................................................................................26
Henry’s Law.....................................................................................................................................29
Diffusion..........................................................................................................................................30
Gas Transport..................................................................................................................................31
Perfusion.........................................................................................................................................33
Saturation........................................................................................................................................34
Tissue compartments......................................................................................................................35
Half times........................................................................................................................................36
Supersaturation...............................................................................................................................38
Critical supersaturation....................................................................................................................40
Controlling ratio - M-Values..............................................................................................................40
Ascent rates....................................................................................................................................43
No-Stop dives..................................................................................................................................47
Bubble Formation............................................................................................................................48
Silent Bubbles..................................................................................................................................48
Safety stops.....................................................................................................................................50
Decompression stops.......................................................................................................................52
Oxygen Window...............................................................................................................................57
Chapter 3 Decompression Illness..................................................................................................61
Burst Lung.......................................................................................................................................61
Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE).............................................................................................................62
Interstitial Emphysema.....................................................................................................................62
Pneumothorax.................................................................................................................................63
Decompression Sickness..................................................................................................................63
Decompression Classification...........................................................................................................63
Reclassification of DCS and AGE.......................................................................................................68
Signs and Symptoms.......................................................................................................................69
Symptoms of the Bends by Frequency .............................................................................................70
Time of Onset of Symptoms .............................................................................................................70
Predisposing Factors........................................................................................................................71
Dehydration.....................................................................................................................................71
Dive profiles....................................................................................................................................73
Repetitive Diving..............................................................................................................................75
Temperature....................................................................................................................................76
Obesity............................................................................................................................................76
Exercise...........................................................................................................................................77
Smoking..........................................................................................................................................79
Age..................................................................................................................................................80
Flying after diving............................................................................................................................80
Reverse profile.................................................................................................................................82
Previous injury.................................................................................................................................84
PFO.................................................................................................................................................84
Lung Shunts....................................................................................................................................88
Doppler Bubble Detection.................................................................................................................89
Medical implications of DCI...............................................................................................................91
First Aid...........................................................................................................................................93
Oxygen............................................................................................................................................94
5 Minute Neurological Exam.............................................................................................................96
Recompression................................................................................................................................99
In Water Recompression.................................................................................................................105
Omitted Decompression..................................................................................................................108
Chapter 4 Saturation Diving.........................................................................................................111
Development Of Saturation Diving...................................................................................................112
Commercial Saturation Diving.........................................................................................................115
Saturation Decompression..............................................................................................................116
Chapter 5 Nitrox...........................................................................................................................119
Using Nitrox...................................................................................................................................121
Using Nitrox as Decompression gas................................................................................................125
The Oxygen Window Revisited........................................................................................................131
Chapter 6 Deep Stops and Bubble Models..................................................................................137
Deep Stops....................................................................................................................................139
Gradient Factors............................................................................................................................144
Dual Phase (Bubble) Models...........................................................................................................147
Individual Bubble Behaviour............................................................................................................149
Multiple Bubble Behaviour..............................................................................................................154
Gas Switches and Bubble Models...................................................................................................157
Specific Bubble Models...................................................................................................................159
Varying Permeability Model.............................................................................................................161
Critical Volume Algorithm................................................................................................................164
Development of VPM.......................................................................................................................166
Reduced Gradient Bubble Model.....................................................................................................168
Chapter 7 Mixed Gas....................................................................................................................171
Choice of Gas................................................................................................................................172
Trimix............................................................................................................................................176
Trimix Decompression...................................................................................................................181
Helium in Decompression Gases.....................................................................................................187
Isobaric Counter Diffusion...............................................................................................................189
Chapter 8 Other Decompression Models ....................................................................................199
RNPL – Slab Diffusion.....................................................................................................................200
BSAC-88........................................................................................................................................203
US Navy Exponential Linear Model..................................................................................................205
Probabablistic Models.....................................................................................................................207
DCIEM...........................................................................................................................................209
Ratio Deco.....................................................................................................................................213
Chapter 9 Decompression calculations.......................................................................................219
References and Further Reading.................................................................................................236
This is a truly remarkable book which covers all the various theories of decompression and ascents for divers in a most readable and understanding manner. There is no other comprehensive book on decompression to my knowledge which is so easy to read and understand by the average recreational or technical diver.
Peter B. Bennett, Ph.D., D.Sc. Executive Director, UHMS. Emeritus Professor of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center. Founder & 1st President, DAN
This is the most comprehensive and well-written text I’ve seen that attempts to explain decompression theory to divers.
Dr Richard Vann Assistant Research Professor in Anesthesiology, Safety Officer and Director of Applied Research at the Duke Hyperbaric Center, and Vice President for Research at DAN.
This book is a “must read” for those who have ever wondered about decompression tables and how they are created. It is a straight forward book and devoid of technical jargon. It starts with the scientific giants who developed the physics of the gas laws and the physiology of diving and ends with M-values and tissue bubbles. For the curious diver – and all divers should be – it will be money well spent!
Michael R. Powell, MS, PhD. NASA (retired), Medical Sciences Division, Johnson Space Center, Texas
Deeper into Diving 2nd Edition - Decompression Manuals
|
