Esat, The values I transcribed from Dr. Buhlmann's text are for inspired O2 and N2 partial pressure. He calculates them from: PIO2 = FIO2 x (P - 0.063) PIN2 = FIN2 x (P - 0.063) where: PIO2 - Inspired partial pressure of oxygen PIN2 - Inspired partial pressure of nitrogen P - Total pressure 0.063 - Vapor pressure of moisture in the respiratory passages at 37 degrees C. He further continues: PAO2 = PIO2 - [(PACO2 - PICO2) x (FIO2 + (1 - FIO2)/R)] where: PAO2 - Alveolar partial pressure of oxygen PACO2 - Alveolar partial pressure of carbon dioxide PICO2 - Inspired partial pressure of CO2 R - Respiratory Quotient = quantity of expired CO2 / absorbed O2 I think many of the posts are looking too deep into this subject of hypoxia at altitude. It is very clear that hypoxia can occur at a sufficient altitude on air, or Nitrox for that matter. However when the diver descends from the surface, the O2 partial pressure will increase and move out of the hypoxic range. When the diver returns to the surface he or she may again enter the hypoxic range. This is not a mystery. Some of the posts are suggesting a physiologic phenomenon which occurs at altitude due to the higher percentage of O2 in Nitrox which causes a hypoxic condition after the dive. If this was true, you would think it would also occur at sealevel with Nitrox, and it very well may as there are many physiologic processes which occur during dive that are not well understood, especially by layman. I certainly don't know. Thanks for your comments, Doug Chapman
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