Dead space in the breathing apparatus; interaction with ventilation

Dead space in breathing apparatus may cause increased ventilation and/or CO2 retention. Interactions between ventilation and dead space were tested in the breathing apparatus of three divers: a full face mask with an oro-nasal cup (AGA), a full face mask without an oro-nasal cup (EXO-26) but designed to minimize dead space, and one mouthpiece. Experiments were performed at three depths; 0, 30 and 45 m seawater (msw). The breathing gas was air except at 30 msw where it was 36 O2 in N2. Five certified SCUBA divers were exercised at three levels (0, 50 and 100 W). Ventilation and gas exchange were measured. The dead space in the AGA mask was not influenced by either depth or exercise (mean 0.201). The mean dead space of the EXO-26 was 0.341, but it increased with exercise (p < 0.001) and decreased with depth (p < 0.03). Since the dead space can vary with ventilation levels it is not sufficient to test breathing apparatus only at rest as is required by the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. The mean ventilation with the EXO-26 was higher than with the AGA by 10% at 50 W (p < 0.05) and by 12% (p < 0.01) at 100 W. The same comparison for end-tidal CO2 showed mean increase by 0.30 kPa at the 100-W workload (P < 0.05); changes at other workloads were not statistically significant. Comparisons of the mean inspired PCO2 to the maximum values considered acceptable by various organizations showed that the mouthpiece was always acceptable, the AGA mask was marginally acceptable or better, while sometimes the EXO-26 was not acceptable.