Jozef,

Without digging out my chem notes from last semester <g>, the carbonic acid
sets up an 'equilibrium', in that some of it will decompose to CO2 & water,
but some will remain as carbonic acid.

If the gas in your suit is pure CO2, the acid side of the equilibrium will
be favored, meaning yes, any moisture in your suit will become acidified.

You have a good point about the condensation, but I suspect enough moisture
will remain on the skin for the acid to have an effect. Not to mention, do I
really want to coat the inside of my drysuit with an acid on every dive?

Yes, cola beverages are acidified (as far as I know - by the same method -
ie, dissolving CO2 gas in the fluid), but this is dwarfed by your natural
stomach acidity, so comparing the two doesn;t really help.

Any professional chemists out there (no, Skip, sit down. Not you <g>.) feel
free to jump in if I'm wrong....

Rich L

----- Original Message -----
From: Gliviak, Jozef <Jozef.Gliviak@co*.co*>
To: 'TECH LIST' <techdiver@aquanaut.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2000 8:49 AM
Subject: RE: CO2 for dry suit inflation


> Hello,
>
> >>CO2 will combine with moisture from sweat to form carbonic acid.  This
> will
> >>eat your thinsulate and cause irritation to your skin.
>
> Did someone actually experienced this ? I'd love to hear first hand story.
> May be I'll try myself.
> As far as I know:
> - Carbonic acid (H2CO3) is one of the weakest acids and it is quickly
> decomposed to H2O and CO2.
> - Gas in your suit is very dry which will cause that your skin is quicky
> dried when sweated.
> - Water vapour condenses on place with highest temperature gradient -
which
> is shell of suit, not the skin
> - We actually like to drink this acid which is in any soft drink which is
> carbonated and it didn't burn our throat
> So I'm not sure if acid is the cause why CO2 is not widely used.
>
>
> Regards
>
>   Jozef Gliviak
>   Slovakia
>
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