Changes in PEFR during exposures to 40 msw (dashed line) and 50 msw (solid line).

<p>Statistically significant decrements from pre exposure values were found except for values indicated as non significant (NS).</p

Decompression procedure after saturation exposure to 50 msw.

<p>Five min of air breathing (air breaks) were given after 25 min of Oxygen breathing.</p

Changes in FVC during exposures to 40 msw (dashed line) and 50 msw (solid line).

<p>Statistically significant decrements from pre exposure values were found except for values indicated as non significant (NS). No statistical significant change compared to the pre exposure value observed during the 50 msw exposure.</p

Simulation results for the decompression profile from 48-h air exposure to 5 bar (40 msw).

<p>Ambient pressure (Pamb, bar), breathing gas Nitrogen fraction (f_N2), and estimated total bubble volume (v_b, ml gas ml tissue⁻¹) in a conceptual tissue compartment (T_1/2 = 400 min). The corresponding estimated bubble grade according to the Spencer scale is indicated. Periods of pure O₂ breathing appear shaded in the figure.</p

Averaged bubble grades predicted from mathematical simulation in different configurations of exposures, with or without periods of pure oxygen breathing.

<p>v_b is the total bubble volume in a conceptual tissue compartment (T_1/2 = 400 min).</p

Spirometry measurements pre and post exposure to 40 and 50 msw.

<p>Statistically significant changes are indicated by an asterisk.</p

Simulation results for the decompression profile from 12-h exposure to 5 bar (40 msw).

<p>Ambient pressure (Pamb, bar), breathing gas Nitrogen fraction (f_N2), and estimated total bubble volume (v_b, ml gas ml tissue⁻¹) in a conceptual tissue compartment (T_1/2 = 400 min). The corresponding estimated bubble grade according to the Spencer scale is indicated. Periods of pure O₂ breathing appear shaded in the figure.</p

Simulation results for the decompression profile from 48-h air exposure to 6 bar (50 msw).

<p>Ambient pressure (Pamb, bar), breathing gas Nitrogen fraction (f_N2), and estimated total bubble volume (v_b, ml gas ml tissue⁻¹) in a conceptual tissue compartment (T_1/2 = 400 min). The corresponding estimated bubble grade according to the Spencer scale is indicated. Periods of pure O₂ breathing appear shaded in the figure.</p

Changes in FEF_25–75 during exposures to 40 msw (dashed line) and 50 msw (solid line).

<p>Statistically significant decrements from pre exposure values were found except for values indicated as non significant (NS).</p

Simulation results for the decompression profile from 12-h exposure to 6 bar (50 msw).

<p>Ambient pressure (Pamb, bar), breathing gas Nitrogen fraction (f_N2), and estimated total bubble volume (v_b, ml gas ml tissue⁻¹) in a conceptual tissue compartment (T_1/2 = 400 min). The corresponding estimated bubble grade according to the Spencer scale is indicated. Periods of pure O₂ breathing appear shaded in the figure.</p