This condition is called “the bends”, which are painful and dangerous to life. Now a days, to avoid such dangerous condition, the professional divers, use air diluted with helium gas (about 11.7% Helium, 56.2% Nitrogen and 32.1% Oxygen), because of lower solubility of helium in the blood than nitrogen.
Why do scuba divers use air diluted with helium?
Air contains a large amount of nitrogen and the solubility of gases in liquids increases with increase in pressure. Therefore, air in oxygen cylinders used for diving is diluted with helium gas. … This is done as He is sparingly less soluble in blood.
How does helium help in avoiding bends?
Helium is used to dilute the oxygen and nitrogen to reduce these affects. … Also, Helium is much lighter than Nitrogen and bleeds out from the tissues that much faster and its use reduces decompression times. Helium there is less chance of getting the bends (originally called caissons disease).
What do scuba divers do to avoid bends?
The gas bubbles (like nitrogen) in the bodily fluids affect nerve impulses giving rise to decompression sickness or bends. These can be painful and fatal. So, deep sea divers substitute Nitrogen with Helium in the air that they breathe because Helium is relatively less soluble in bodily fluids than Nitrogen.
Why is helium used as diluent in diving apparatus?
Helium along with oxygen is used in the diving apparatus by the sea divers. Since it is very little soluble in blood, it reduces decompression and causes less discomfort to the diver in breathing.
Why regular air Cannot be used in divers tank?
Because our body needs it for its metabolic function, the air in a SCUBA tank cannot be devoid of oxygen. But oxygen does have toxic effects on the body when it is subjected to higher levels of pressure, specifically the central nervous system, pulmonary function, and ocular function.
What is Bend?
The Bends is an illness that arises from the rapid release of nitrogen gas from the bloodstream and is caused by bubbles forming in the blood and other tissues when a diver ascends to the surface of the ocean too rapidly. It is also referred to as Caisson sickness, decompression sickness (DCS), and Divers’ Disease.
Why are bends called the bends?
Decompression sickness (DCS), known as ‘the bends’ because of the associated joint pain, is a potentially deadly condition caused by bubbles of nitrogen gas forming in the blood and tissues. It’s most common among divers using scuba tanks, but can affect free-divers and people at high altitude.
Why do divers get the bends?
Decompression sickness: Often called “the bends,” decompression sickness happens when a scuba diver ascends too quickly. Divers breathe compressed air that contains nitrogen. At higher pressure under water, the nitrogen gas goes into the body’s tissues.
What must be done to avoid bends condition?
When planning multiple dives in a day, do your deepest dives first and then shallower dives. Always carry out a 5 minute safety stop, even on a no decompression dives to be on the safer side. Avoid flying 24 hours before or after diving. ALWAYS plan your dive and dive your plan!
How are bends treated?
Treatment for the Bends
The bends are treated in a hyperbaric recompression chamber. The doctor will first treat immediate life threats, such as breathing problems or shock, if present. The diver will need high-flow oxygen and IV fluids.
What depth causes bends?
“This condition is quite difficult to diagnose and, untreated, can lead to permanent disability.” One diver got the bends – a painful condition caused by gas bubbles forming in the bloodstream – from diving in water less than four metres deep.
Why do divers use helium?
Why do we use Helium? Helium is a very light inert gas. It is used by technical divers to reduce narcosis when diving at deeper depths. With normal air (21% oxygen/ 79% Nitrogen) nitrogen narcosis becomes an issue at these depths.
Why is helium less soluble than nitrogen?
Helium gas has high KH value when compared to that of Nitrogen gas. This is because Nitrogen gas is more soluble in blood than that of helium gas and solubility is inversely proportional to KH value of any gas. So taking into consideration of solubility as Nitrogen gas is more soluble helium gas has highest KH value.