🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Nov3.232240.5653@ctp.com> bpita@ctp.com (Bob Pitas) writes:
> Actually, you can't compress liquids.  It's the gases (nitrogen, to
> be exact) that cause 'rapture of the deep' for divers.  The nitrogen
> gets compressed during the decent, and then forms bubbles on the ascent.
> These bubbles block blood vessels, and generally do bad things.  The
> phenominae is called 'Nitrogen Narcosis'.

Actually, you're mixing two different (but related) phenomenona.  Nitrogen  
Narcosis, a.k.a. "rapture of the deep", occurs in divers at depths of around  
100' and greater when diving using regular air.  The effects are similar to the  
effects of alcohol.  It occurs, I believe, due to the excess nitrogen loading  
in brain tissues having some impact on neurotransmitter functioning.  The  
excess loading occurs due to breating of air at pressures greater than 1 ATM.   
The excess nitrogen remains in solution in the body due to the higher external  
pressure.

Bubble formation occurs upon ascent if the excess nitrogen is not allowed to  
outgass from the tissues at a fast enough rate.  The reduced pressure at  
shallower depths allows the nitrogen to come out of solution and form bubbles.   
These bubbles are the cause of Decompression Sickness, a.k.a. "The Bends".

What does this imply for bodies exposed to vacuum?  Well, if the body cannot  
maintain sufficient internal pressure, then appears reasonable that the  
nitrogen present in the tissues could come out of solution, causing symptoms of  
Decompression Sickness.  How likely this is depends on what pressure changes  
occur within the body when exposed to vacuum.

Did this answer any questions?  Probably not, but I just felt like slacking off  
a little and adding my (probably not very helpful) opinion.

Henry P.
gumby@ucsd.edu