Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] measurment of CO content.

["Herve" <caribsub@coqui.net>]

Erik,
CO is a deadly toxic gas, CO2 is a suffocating gaz, big difference.
there is no CO built up in a sub since human breathing produces only CO2.
however, air in a confined space such as a sub cockpit would give you 15 mn
at the most of breathable air.
Headache guaranteed if you repeat that operation .
I am not aware of CO2 detection devices, as CO detection devices are very
common because of a far greater danger.
best way to prevent CO2 built is ventilation with fresh air and learn
symptoms of CO2 built up in blood stream.
Ron Leonard has an extensive study on CO2 built up in mini subs.
Herve
----- Original Message -----
From: "Erik Michael Muller" <emm03@uow.edu.au>
To: <Personal_Submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2002 1:43 AM
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] measurment of CO content.


> Hi folks,
> I am new to the list, but am keen to construct a dry ambient
> submersible...if I can get anywhere near enough money together.
> Anyhow,
> After scouring the archives and the web, I have been unable to find
> any discussion on a way to measure the CO build up, real-time:
>
> In the case of an ambient sub, I am thinking that for shallow depths
> where air is not consumed very quickly, especially considering there
> is no physical exertion, then the limit of dive time might be more a
> dependant on how quickly CO builds up.  I suppose this is in turn
> dependant on how big a volume you are breathing, but does anyone have
> ideas of how soon the air becomes too toxic to usefully stay
> awake?I.e., how many times can I realistically and safely breathe the
> same volume of air?
>
> This led onto a thought of how to measure CO content in the air. Does
> anyone know of a simple way to do this?  My crazy brain went on to
> design a device where the ambient air is bubbled through a solution
> containing some colored pH indicator, which i thought would become
> redder as carbonic acid from the CO in the air built up, although I am
> not sure how practical this is. If anyone wants to try it, I would be
> very interested to find out (red cabbage is hideously expensive in
> Australia, and black market red cabbages are no good).
>
> Anyhow, I hope I havent said anything outrageously silly/contraversial
> or annoying...
> Thanks!
> E.Muller
>
>