N2 exchanges in hyperbaric environments: towards a model based on physiological gas transport (O2 and CO2)

Decompression sickness can occur in divers even when recommended decompression procedures are followed. Furthermore, the physiological state of individuals can significantly affect bubbling variability. These informations highlight the need for personalized input to improve decompression in SCUBA diving. The main objective of this study is to propose a fundamental framework for a new approach to inert gas exchanges. A physiological model of oxygen delivery to organs and tissues has been built and adapted to nitrogen. The validation of the model was made by transferring the N2 to CO2. Under normobaric conditions (air breathing, oxygen breathing, and static apnea) and hyperbaric conditions, the O2 model replicates the reference physiological Po2 (Spearman correlation tests p