Page 49 - AlertDiver_Winter2013
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toxicity in humans has not yet been
sufficiently explored. The autonomic
nervous system changes with age and
various chronic diseases that affect
many divers. However, we have just
scratched the surface of the problem
and have few answers. DAN® was
instrumental in studying two
common drugs that may affect the
autonomic nervous system and thus
the risk of oxygen toxicity: PDE-5
inhibitors (used to treat erectile
dysfunction) and pseudoephedrine.
DAN was contacted by a diver
who experienced symptoms of
oxygen toxicity after using EAN at
an oxygen partial pressure of 1.3
ATA. He had done similar dives
many times before without any
problems. His exposure to oxygen
was within limits usually considered
safe, but this time he had used
Cialis (a PDE-5 inhibitor) the night
before his dive. These drugs cause
widening of the arteries responsible
for erection, but theoretically they
may cross from the circulation
into the brain and may increase
sympathetic activity. However, it was
not known whether this could affect
a diver’s risk of oxygen toxicity.
Dr. Ivan Demchenko and his team
When diving with nitrox or other gas mixtures, divers should always analyze the oxygen
content of their cylinders. This ensures the breathing gases are appropriate for the
depths to which the diver plans to dive.
STEPHEN FRINK
It’s Better in The Bahamas.
BAH-321-DAN-1-3-co-op-9-12B_Layout 9/20/12 1
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