What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed existing scientific papers about how a hyperbaric helium-oxygen mixture affects the human body.
What They Found
The review found that the impact of a hyperbaric helium-oxygen atmosphere on the body mainly depends on its physical properties like density and heat conductance. It also noted that the narcotic effect of this atmosphere at high pressures, often experienced in diving, was not well understood and appeared to occur only during the compression phase.
Canadian Relevance
This study is not Canadian. However, it covers the topic of decompression, which is relevant to decompression sickness, a Health Canada-recognised indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a review from 1979, this study reflects the scientific understanding of hyperbaric helium-oxygen mixtures from that era, and some aspects, like the narcotic effect, were noted as poorly documented at the time.