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> >> It's not just igniting a fire, the hydrocarbons can ignite in an explosion
to
> >> small to even hear, and cause no visable trace of fire,but the residue of
> >> hydrocarbons burning is CO, not a very breathable gas at 1 ATA, let alone
at
> >> depth. Clean the gear.
> 
> >	ii) being at depth is exactly where you want to be. The problems
> >will occur as you start surfacing and the O2 competition drops off.
> 
> There is no "O2" competition.  The amt of CO that binds to Hb is
> proportional to the CO/O2 ratio, and THAT remains constant.  What does
> happen is that at depth, the O2 in solution is able to supply the body
> with enough O2, but, when you surface, the Hb cannot continue to do so.
> 
	No it doesn't.

	You produce X amount of CO, so the ppCO remains constant *even
though the total pressure goes up*. ppO2 goes up, so the ratio gets more
and more in your favour.

	Not only does *less* CO bind at depth, but if it is a critical
amount you still have dissolved O2 accessing tissues.

	When you surface, the O2 ratio falls, more CO (which was
dissolved) gets onto the Hb, *and* you lose the dissolved o2.

	That's for an inhaled slug of CO; the best bet being to stay
down and hope it's passed out of your body (equilibrating with exhaled
gas) before you come up.

	If it's in the tank, then as you say, the ratio is the same
regardless of depth. I would assume that this hypothetical o2 burn
happened through your dirty regulator, not a shop reg, or in a tank.
Therefore you get the CO slug, and it's not in the tank.

	Jason

> -Carl-
> 
> 

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