Effect of nitrox saturation diving upon platelet hemostasis.

Abstract

Two nitrox saturation exposures (seven- and nine-days) at a pressure equivalent to 40 and 45 m (pO2 40-50 kPa) with three divers were carried out. During one exposure 6 excursions from the plateau to the depth of 70 m (one hour) and 60 m (four hours) were made. Before and after the exposures blood platelet count, aggregation and adhesion of blood cells were determined. After the first series of diving a slight increase of adhesion and aggregation was observed, after the other one, despite the larger depth and the excursions from the saturation plateau to 60 and 70 m, a slight decrease of adhesion occurred. This allows to conclude that the phenomenon is related to the decompression load degree as well as to the condition of the divers. Finding about the effect of decompression upon the processes of hemostasis may be useful for the evaluation of the verified system of saturation decompression.