Potential for Reduction of Decompression Sickness By Prebreathing With 100% Oxygen While Exercising

Exercise performed for at least 30 min while prebreathing 100% oxygen prior to decompression has been reported to increase efficiency of denitrogenation by 100-500%. The incidence of decompression sickness following such a prebreathe was decreased by 50% compared to resting prebreathe. If prebreathing with exercise is to have an operational application, it must be brief, it must significantly reduce standard prebreathing times, it must not create excess fatigue, and it must use exercise equipment compatible with aerospace operations. This article provides background and recommends parameters for a test to determine the operational feasibility of prebreathing with exercise.