N2 Saturation

[Steele]

Doc:
If you were scheduled to be in a habitat for a number of days at let's say 200fsw, is there a point in which your tissues become so saturated with N2 that your deco obligation reaches a plateau and remains the same no matter how long you stay at that depth?

I ask this because I was watching Discovery the other day (sound turned off) about a team of divers who in the mid 60s did something similar. Since the sound was turned off during the narrative I missed any discussion on deco or the mix they were using for their stay.

 

[Walter]

Yes. <please remore the 15 character bug>

 

[knotical]

Walter's right, as usual. They call it saturation diving.
for example:
http://www.uncw.edu/aquarius/saturation.htm

 

[Steele]

Sheesh. I feel kinda silly now. I even used the word 'saturated' in my OQ.

 

[Dr Deco]

Hello Steele:

Saturation is generally believed to occur after about 24 hours. Decompression obligations do not get longer after this duration.

Generally, the ascent from a saturation dive is considered about 4 feet per hour or about 100 feet per day.

Dr Deco :doctor:

The next class in Decompression Physiology for 2006 is September 16 – 17. :1book: http://wrigley.usc.edu/hyperbaric/advdeco.htm