[PSUBS-MAILIST] low blood 02 levels

["Mad Pirate Shin" <psub_only_temporary@hotmail.com>]

I was watching the Learning Channel last night and they aired a show how the 
brain survives longer without oxygen when it is cold.  They said just a 
small drop would help immensely but didn't give a specific temperature, I 
got the impression that the best temperature was somewhere around 35-40 
degrees fahrenheit.  They mentioned (but gave NO details whatsoever) that 
the brain dies not from lack of oxygen but from a chemical "self destruct" 
signal it gives itself.  The best thing I can figure is that the body valves 
off blood flow to appendages and routes it to the vital organs, since you 
cannot valve off parts of the brain it sends a signal to kill off 
unimportant areas (memory and parts not needed just to live) thus conserving 
oxygen.
  It struck me that when yer running low on oxygen in a sub there is a 
plentiful supply of coldness all around you on the seafloor.  Perhaps you 
could valve in some seawater and just 'chill' until help arrives.  However, 
the violent shivering that the body does to heat itself would use up a lot 
of oxygen as well.  Perhaps a strong muscle relaxant or any other drug that 
could knock you unconcsious would be enough to keep you alive for several 
days off just the cabin air.  You'd have to have a separate scrubber/air 
bleed rate for the comatose state or you'd wind up with too little or too 
high cabin pressure.  You'd also need a pretty good battery run time for the 
emergency system to keep the scrubber going for a few days.
  I wouldn't want to go to sleep until I knew someone had found me, but what 
is everyone's opinion here?  Anybody have any experience with 
pharmaceuticals that knock you on yer rear all day?

                  Shin

P.S. - just another crazy idea, feel free to flame away!
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com