Hyperbaric Exposure of Mice to Pressures of 60 to 90 Atmospheres

Abstract

Albino mice breathing helium-oxygen mixtures remained in good condition for periods of 1 to 13 hours at pressure-equivalent depths of 396 to 914 meters of sea water. They were successfully decompressed to normal atmospheric pressure in less than 5 hours. There were no immediate or delayed adverse effects that could be attributed to the hyperbaric helium-oxygen environment. An occasional death was attributable to hypoxia or the decompression procedure.