Nitrox breathing during a simulated dive did not reduce post-compression fatigue.  

Clinical bottom line:

 1. No reported significant differences in subjective or objective measures of fatigue following nitrox diving.

 2. Practical impact unknown from this abstract. 

Citations:

1. Harris R, Doolette D, Wilkinson D, Williams D. The influence of expired oxygen and nitrogen fraction on fatigue following compressed gas diving. Proceedings of the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Palau. Bennett M (ed), POWH May 2003:16.

2. Harris R, Doolette D, Wilkinson D, Williams D. The influence of expired oxygen and nitrogen fraction on fatigue following compressed gas diving. Proceedings of the 11th Annual Hyperbaric Technicians and Nurses Annual Scientific Meeting 27 to 30 August 2003:51. 

Three-part Clinical Question: For divers undertaking compressed gas breathing, does the use of oxygen-enriched air (nitrox), compared to air, result in any reduction in fatigue following diving.

Search Terms: diving, nitrox, fatigue

 The Study:Double-blinded concealed randomised cross-over trial with intention-to-treat.

The Study Patients: Recreational SCUBA diver volunteers.

Control group (N = 12; 11 analysed): Standard 18 metre simulated dive breathing air in the chamber for 40 minutes, with two periods of exercise.

Experimental group (N = 12; 11 analysed): As above, but breathing oxygen-enriched air (36% O2).

The Evidence: None given 

Comments:

1. Abstracts only with no data.

2. Results may not extrapolate to 'wet' diving.

3. This investigation does not support the notion that reduced fatigue is an advantage of nitrox diving.  

Appraised by: Mike Bennett +61 2 9382 3880; Thursday, 4 September 2003 Email: m.bennett@unsw.edu.au

Kill or Update By: September 2005