>      If I read this right, are you saying that nitrogen induced red
> blood cell rigidity (and subsequent micro-circulatory reduction) has no
> effect as regards deco?.

The micro-circulatory damage is probably real, and is caused by a 
variety of factors. However, it seems that N2-induced RBC rigidity is 
probably not among those factors.

> It seems a pretty definate dismissal of this as part of the jigsaw - how
> can you be so sure?

Because there is no primary literature on it.  In fact, there is no 
literature at all.  I've looked hard, and I've discussed this with some 
of the world's authorities on deco physiology, and none have heard of it. 
I suspect that someone mis-read or mis-remembered that high PO2 can lead 
to RBC rigidity, and in an earnest effort to discourage high PN2 in 
diving, accidentally or otherwise made the erroneous jump. It seems to me 
there are plenty of good "real" reasons not to expose ourselves to high 
PN2, that we don't really need to invent new ones.

Aloha,
Rich


Richard Pyle
Ichthyology, Bishop Museum                deepreef@bi*.bi*.ha*.or*
1525 Bernice St.                          PH: (808) 848-4115
Honolulu, HI 96817-0916                   FAX: (808) 841-8968
       "The views are those of the sender and not of Bishop Museum"

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