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Simon, I gave a
presentation at the PSUBS 2007 Conference on this subject. Argon is
actually a very bad choice, while it is a good thermal insulator (approximately
1.5x air) it is highly narcotic at relatively shallow depths and its greater
density while cause breathing issues. Pre-breathing oxygen can be a good
idea if done before exposure to higher pressures. The best bet is to
press down quickly (you will probably rupture your ear drums) and make a controlled
ascent with a 40 cf bail out tank of air. This is the short answer. R/Jay Respectfully, Jay K. Jeffries Andros Is., Bahamas As scarce as the truth is, the supply has always been in excess of
the demand. -Josh Billings -----Original Message----- Hopefully someone will have an answer to this; while
pondering atmospheric control, I was trying to figure out the best
way to make things as safe as possible. Hypothetically, let's say
you're in an ambient sub and need to make an emergency surfacing. Or,
you're in a 1atm and need to abandon your vessel - whatever the
circumstance, you need to be exposed to great pressure differentials in a
short space of time. Diving physiology stipulates that you will get the bends.
So, why not control the nitrogen levels in a submersible and replace
it with, say, argon? Are there any specific reasons people do not
control the breathing mix in submersibles the way they are in
technical diving (other than the risk being so minute)? -- "Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis,
ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam." ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the
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