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Deadly Diving? Physiological and behavioral management and decompression…
Deadly Diving? Physiological and behavioral management and decompression stress in diving mammals
Introduction
Nitrogen gas (N2) management is very important in divers
As hydrostatic pressure incrreases, the more amount of N2 that is absorbed by the blood and tissues
During decompression, if the dissolved gas can not equilibriate fast enough with the N2 in the lungs, gas bubbles can form
This can lead to emboli formation which is bad and lead to decompression sickness (DCS)
Believed that marine mammals had anatomical and behavioral adaptations to prevent the
One of which being the dive response
They also rely on a single breath and not breathing in compressed air
The Effects of Pressure
No clearly defined threshold for bubble quantity or size related to DCS
Wide variability in the occurrence of DCS (dive patterns) and symptoms
Less studies done looking at breath-hold divers, some show repetitive breaths can increase DCS
Signs of DCS were found in beaked whales that were stranded, but not necessarily due to the stranding event itself
Other models show similar signs of hemorrhages but not sure if from endogenous gas bubbles
Findings might show sperm whales live with sub-lethal bubble formation on a regular basis
diving models showed that N2 tension shows signs of possible supersaturation in marine mammals
Marine mammal diving physiology
Believed the two main adaptations were dive response and lung collapse
Believed to have some control over the dive response
Also could be what is called a pre-dive surface interval
Trade-offs include buoyancy, foraging, avoiding predation, body maintenance
Could all be caused by rare natural events
Difference in DCS sensitive between species
Future Research/Conclusion
Additional methods to look at the specifics of the dive response
How common bubbles are in conjunction with variations in diving behavior
Understand under which circumstances bubble generation is a significant threat
There may be strategic risk taking at play for N2 management