Naked Science Forum
General Science => General Science => Topic started by: katieHaylor on 17/05/2018 11:58:11
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Donald says:
I understand that the bends is caused by a build up of dissolved CO2 in solution of our body fluids. At what depth would a human have to go to get as carbonated as a soda, and how long would it take at that depth? I understand some deep water welders maintain depth for weeks in pressurised living quarters. Would soda fizz in this environment?
What do you think?
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The bends is caused by dissolved nitrogen, not carbon dioxide, producing bubbles in the bloodstream as the atmospheric pressure is reduced.
It isn't a serious problem from sea level to altitude since the quantity dissolved is quite small at normal atmospheric pressure, but coming up from a deep dive (below 10 m) or flying shortly after a shallow dive (particularly in cold water) can have serious symptoms.
Divers use published decompression tables to establish safe waiting times during ascents, and long, deep working requires a stop for several hours in a decompression chamber.
Soda water doesn't fizz in the bottle. The additional pressure inside is generally less than half an atmosphere, so it certainly won't fizz at anything more than 5m below the surface of the sea!
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A little while back, @neilep asked about Moby Dick and the bends: https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=10772