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Effects of oxygen-enriched air on cognitive performance during SCUBA-diving - an open-water study
Anne-Kathrin Brebeck1, Andreas Deussen2, Henning Schmitz-Peiffer3
1a Department of Ophthalmology , Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Augenklinik und Poliklinik , Würzburg , Germany.
Abstract:
Backround: Nitrogen narcosis impairs cognitive function, a fact relevant during SCUBA-diving. Oxygen-enriched air (nitrox) became popular in recreational diving, while evidence of its advantages over air is limited.
Aim:
Compare effects of nitrox28 and air on two psychometric tests.
Methods:
In this prospective, double-blind, open-water study, 108 advanced divers (38 females) were randomized to an air or a nitrox-group for a 60-min dive to 24 m salt water. Breathing gas effects on cognitive performance were assessed during the dive using a short- and long-term memory test and a number connection test.
Results:
Nitrox28 divers made fewer mistakes only on the long-term memory test (p = 0.038). Female divers remembered more items than male divers (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the number connection test between the groups.
Conclusion:
Likely owing to the comparatively low N2 reduction and the conservative dive, beneficial nitrox28 effects to diver performance were moderate but could contribute to diving safety.