Hydrogen Gas Mixture Helps Deep Sea Divers Avoid Dangerous Nerve Symptoms
- Authors
- J. H. Abraini, M. C. Gardette-Chauffour, E. Martinez, J. C. Rostain, C. Lemaire
- Journal
- Journal of Applied Physiology
- Year
- 1994
- DOI
- 10.1152/jappl.1994.76.3.1113
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- France
- Health Condition
- High-Pressure Nervous Syndrome
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
A study on six divers showed that diving deep with a special mix of gases including hydrogen can reduce some negative effects of deep diving, though some symptoms and the intoxicating effect of hydrogen were still present.
Key Finding
A breathing mixture containing 49% hydrogen reduced high-pressure nervous syndrome symptoms during a 500-meter deep dive while allowing divers to maintain operational capability, though hydrogen showed some sedating effects on mental performance tests.
Summary
Six commercial divers breathed a special gas mixture containing 49% hydrogen during a deep ocean dive to 500 meters. Researchers tested how this mixture affected the divers' nervous systems and mental performance. The divers experienced fewer symptoms of a condition called high-pressure nervous syndrome (a neurological problem that occurs at extreme depths), though hydrogen did have some sedating effects. The divers were still able to complete their work tasks successfully, and the lighter gas mixture made breathing easier and more comfortable.
Practical Takeaway
This small study of six commercial divers suggests hydrogen gas may have potential applications in deep diving by reducing certain pressure-related neurological symptoms. However, this research is specific to extreme-depth commercial diving and does not directly apply to hydrogen water consumption for general health. The study's findings are limited to a specialized occupational context and do not establish any health benefits for non-diving populations.
Abstract
Six commercial divers were investigated for neurological and psychosensorimotor responses during an open sea dive to 500 m with a hydrogen-helium-oxygen mixture containing 49% hydrogen. Results showed only moderate neurological symptoms of high-pressure nervous syndrome, whereas the narcotic effect of hydrogen was detectable, as investigated by psychosensorimotor tests. Nevertheless, the divers successfully carried out the main purpose of the operational dive, which was to prove the feasability of such diving methods by connecting specific elements of an offshore oil installation. Finally, these data support the hypothesis that hydrogen can alleviate some of the symptoms of the high-pressure nervous syndrome and can constitute a useful gas for commercial diving, as it decreases the density of the breathing mixture and therefore improves the living conditions, work, and comfort of the divers. Nevertheless, the present results underscore the relevance of research on individual susceptibility to pressure environment regardless of the composition of the breathing mixture.