Hypercapnia is defined as an increase of carbon dioxide in the body which leads to faster breathing rate and heartbeat as the body is trying to eliminate it.
Glossary
Heliox
Heliox is a breathing gas mixture used in technical and commercial diving. Heliox is composed of Oxygen and Helium only. Having no Nitrogen it avoid nitrogen narcosis that happens in deeper dives.
Equalize, Equalization
To equalize or equalization is the act of applying the same pressure in an air space than the one of the surrounding or ambient pressure. Usually, in diving, it refers to the ears but can also apply to the mask or even to the lungs.
Divers Alert Network – DAN
Divers Alert Network or DAN is a non-profit agency that collects and analyze information for divers safety. It has branches that sell different diving oriented services and products such as insurance or oxygen providing kits or First Aid and CPR courses.
Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence is the ability of some aquatic organisms to generate light. It uses chemical reaction to achieve this. This ability has only been observed in aquatic organisms and only a few terrestrial insects such as the firefly.
SI – Surface Interval
The SI or surface interval is the amount of time between 2 dives which is used to calculate the limits in consecutive dives.
Gauge pressure
The gauge pressure is the pressure shown by a gauge which was calibrated and zeroed using ambient surface pressure at sea level as a reference.
fsw – feet of seawater
fsw or feet of seawater is a measurement unit of the imperial system and represent the pressure in 1 foot of seawater or about 15 psi. 33 feet is also roughly 1 atmosphere.
Mangrove
Mangroves are coastal habitats composed of small trees and bushes that have adapted to the sea water and tides. The roots usually start from just above the surface line at high tide. This makes a vast maze of roots underwater and attracts a very wide biodiversity of marine life. Mangroves play an important role for coasts.
DCIEM – Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine
Its was in 1971 in Canada that the DCIEM or Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine was founded in a joint participation of military and civilian personnel. This lead to the development of dive tables that were more conservative than the US Navy tables.