The early signs of an upcoming acute intoxication are way too short to react adequately – especially under water. At high oxygen partial pressures, these symptoms can already appear after a few minutes. Symptoms of acute oxygen toxicity can be restlessness, a metallic taste on the tongue, uncontrolled twitching of the facial muscles, tunnel vision, dizziness, nausea and generalised convulsions. Oxygen convulsions have also been reported in recreational diving with compressed air at greater depths (starting at 60 meters) – depths at which a recreational diver diving with compressed air should not be found. The critical limit could be exceeded when diving with oxygen enriched gas mixes, which then causes the acute oxygen toxicity. The higher the total oxygen dosage, which is calculated from the product of partial pressure and time, the higher the probability of a CNS poisoning. This so-called Paul Bert effect (or neurotoxic effect) occurs when breathing high oxygen concentrations (Paul Bert, a French physiologist, 1833-1886). while using oxygen-enriched air (nitrox), during a technical dive or during HBO – acute poisoning of the central nervous system can occur. A pulmonary (lung-related) effect (Lorrain Smith effect)Īcute oxygen intoxication: at a partial pressure of 1.6 bar or more – e.g.The neurological (concerning the nervous system) reaction (Paul Bert effect).At an ambient pressure above 1.6 bar, one is at risk for a so-called "oxidosis" (acute oxygen toxicity, oxygen convulsions).ĭepending on the level of the partial pressure and the duration of oxygen exposure, two types of mechanisms can be distinguished: If the oxygen partial pressure is too high, there is a risk of acute poisoning. Below a partial pressure of 0.16 bar of oxygen, a person usually faints. Oxygen toxicity: what is a blessing within narrow limits can quickly become a curse above or below these limits.
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