Dehydration and DCS

[hi_alx]

Hi!

Could someone tell me the physiologic mechanism / reasoning that explains a higher risk of DCS in the setting of dehydration.

Increased nitrogen uptake with low cardiac output (when dehydrated?)

Peripheral vasoconstriction with decreased perfusion and thus off-gasing etc.

Thanks,

Alex

 

[DandyDon]

I've understood it simply as...

Less water in your blood = less blood volume, therefore the dissolved N2 makes up a higher percentage of the blood - so it can come out of solution more easily, plus the bubbles can more easily block the smaller vessels.

How'd I to...?

 

[pasley]

What he said.