This is something I've wondered about too and not got round to asking before.
So Gradient Factors are purely determined by depth/time relative to previous depth/time? Or do they take deco/bottom gas mixes into account in some way?
On a (possibly) related note. When switching to a low nitrogen gas to off gas, you're creating a difference (gradient?) between the nitrogen in your tissues and the nitrogen in the gas in your lungs, which helps the nitrogen come out of your tissues quicker. Is it theoretically possible to make this difference too big, and end up bending yourself by encouraging the nitrogen out too quick? E.g. if oxygen wasn't toxic at depth, if you switched straight to 100% oxtgen then the gradient of tissue/lung nitrogen would be infinite and presumably you'd fizz like a very fizzy thing?
I ask because a lot of threads give the impression that using the lowest nitrogen % possible is the best way to off gas.
I'm (obviously!) not deco trained at the moment, but considering it as a next step.
Thanks,
Dave. |