Helium-oxygen mixtures for deep diving

In deep sea exploration, divers are exposed to extremely stressful environments. In order to safeguard the safety of divers and reduce the occurrence of decompression sickness, heliox gas mixtures are beginning to be widely used in deep diving. In this article, we will introduce in detail the application principle and characteristics of heliox gas mixture in deep diving, and analyze its advantages through actual cases, and finally discuss its development prospect and value

Helium-oxygen mixture is a kind of gas mixed with helium and oxygen in a certain proportion. In deep diving water, helium can better pass through the body tissues of divers due to its smaller molecules, thus reducing the risk of decompression sickness. At the same time, helium reduces the density of the air, allowing divers to move more easily underwater.

The main features of helium-oxygen mixtures for deep diving applications include:

Reduced risk of decompression sickness: The use of helium-oxygen mixtures reduces the incidence of decompression sickness due to the fact that helium is better absorbed by body tissues in deep diving water.

Improved Diving Efficiency: Due to the lower density of helium, the use of heliox gas mixtures reduces the weight of the diver, thus improving their diving efficiency.

Oxygen consumption: In the high pressure environment of the deep sea, divers need to consume more oxygen. The use of a heliox gas mixture reduces the amount of oxygen consumed, thus prolonging the diver’s time underwater.

The advantages of heliox blends in deep diving have been well proven in practical applications. For example, in 2019, French divers set a human record for deep diving by diving to a depth of 10,928 meters in the Mariana Trench. This dive used a heliox gas mixture and successfully avoided decompression sickness, proving the safety and effectiveness of heliox gas mixtures in deep diving.

The application of heliox gas mixture in deep diving is promising. With the development of science and technology, more efficient gas mixing ratios may be developed in the future, thus improving the safety and comfort of divers. In addition, as the field of deep-sea exploration continues to expand, heliox gas mixtures will also play an important role in marine resource development and scientific research. However, despite the significant advantages of heliox gas mixtures in deep diving water, there are still potential risks and problems that need to be paid attention to. For example, prolonged use of heliox gas mixtures may have an impact on divers’ cognition and behavior, and thus requires further research and evaluation.

Overall, the use of heliox gas mixtures in deep diving has significant advantages and value. With the development of science and technology and the expansion of the field of deep-sea exploration, its prospect and potential are unlimited. However, we also need to pay attention to its potential risks and problems, and take corresponding measures to ensure the safety and effectiveness of heliox gas mixtures.