Ventilatory response to transient hypoxia in O2 divers

This study addresses the question of whether repeated acute exposure to hyperbaric oxygen, such as encountered in O2 diving, affects the peripheral oxygen chemosensors. Groups of nondivers, active O2 divers, and ex-O2 divers, as well as active air scuba divers, were given 1 or both of 2 tests that measure the ventilatory response to transient hypoxia. Results showed that all groups of divers have a mean response similar to or higher than that of nondivers as well as that of normal subjects, as reported in the literature. A repeat test on 10 diving candidates before and after 200 h of accrued O2 diving also did not show an impairment in the hypoxic ventilatory response. Oxygen diving within the established depth and time limits does not seem to cause cumulative damage to the peripheral O2 chemosensors.