[Oxygen and hydrogen dynamics in the skin of aquanauts under a prolonged hyperbaric exposure]

Polarographic measurements of the dynamics of partial pressures and diffusion parameters of O2 and H2 in the skin of aquanauts during prolonged hyperbaric exposure to He-O2 breathing to 3, 3.6 mPa were performed. It was indicated that at an early exposure stage there occur the distinct changes in cutaneous oxygen profiles manifested as: increased rate of local blood flow, decreased intensity of O2 utilization and due to this as elevated cutaneous PO2 levels. It is also noted that at the same exposure time an abrupt transient decline in diffusion rates of H2 and O2 through tissue and cell membrane of the skin of aquanauts is occurred.