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So far as I know, the only concern re: Argon as suit inflation gas is when using Heliox in approx >50% mixes. This gives rise to a problem known as "isobaric counterdiffusion" (fancy term for the small helium mollecules wanting to diffuse out into the Argon atmo, and the large Argon mollecules wanting to do the reverse). Even there, the only real symptom is itchiness (in extreme cases, localized burn-type rashes). But the exposure duration and degree needs be very great to cause a problem. I think this is in the NOAA manual, though I'm probably wrong. So for isobaric counterdiffusion to come up as an issue, the diving needs be pretty extreme, and this is probably the least of your worries... As for skin bends with Argon, I doubt it is an issue; the rate of diffusion into the tissue should be far lower than N2 (though greater than He). If diving on high-dilution Heliox, that may accelerate Argon diffusion, though I would doubt that it would cause a DCS problem. Argon is used pretty extensively here in the NE, especially on deep trimix dives. I've never heard any concern over this, even on long Doria dives. -frank -- fhd@pa*.co* | So far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are 1 212 559 5534 | not certain. And so far as they are certain, they do not 1 917 992 2248 | refer to reality. 1 718 746 7061 | -- Albert Einstein, _Geometry and Experience_
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