How long does SI on inert gas last?

[itsallpointless]

Just wondering, when the SI kicks in, whether I am conscious or not, how long will I have the strength to potentially rip the mask off my head before my body loses the strength to struggle.

 

[GasMonkey]

Rip the mask? Do you mean a SCBA mask? That's impossible, it has 5 extremely strong attachment points, you can't remove that while being unconscious. Even when conscious it takes a good amount of finesse and precision to remove it.

On top of that you have a second layer of protection: the positive pressure of the demand valve, which is capable of covering any leaks by increasing the pressure inside the mask. Even if you put a finger inside the mask the demand valve would cover the leak and won't allow any external air to enter (it would use more gas tho).

If you change you mind you have to unplug the demand valve from the mask (which also requires precision with both hands at the same time), not trying to remove the mask (you would blackout before being able to even loosen a couple of attachment points).

Loss of consciousness in a 0% oxygen environment happens in about 3 breaths (assuming you have pre-filled the mask and exhaled all air from the lungs before taking the big deep breath of N₂). That's what happened to @Diver_K_A and the subjects in the Russel Ogden's study. @Wunderkind also blacked out during his tests without even noticing.​

 

[lionetta12]

Just wondering, when the SI kicks in, whether I am conscious or not, how long will I have the strength to potentially rip the mask off my head before my body loses the strength to struggle.

I don't think SI would be that noticable or a big issue with that method since you generally wont feel or notice that you are breathing the gas, you just pass out before you know it.

 

[itsallpointless]

Rip the mask? Do you mean a SCBA mask? That's impossible, it has 5 extremely strong attachment points, you can't remove that while being unconscious. Even when conscious it takes a good amount of finesse and precision to remove it.

On top of that you have a second layer of protection: the positive pressure of the demand valve, which is capable of covering any leaks by increasing the pressure inside the mask. Even if you put a finger inside the mask the demand valve would cover the leak and won't allow any external air to enter (it would use more gas tho).

If you change you mind you have to unplug the demand valve from the mask (which also requires precision with both hands at the same time), not trying to remove the mask (you would blackout before being able to even loosen a couple of attachment points).

Loss of consciousness in a 0% oxygen environment happens in about 3 breaths (assuming you have pre-filled the mask and exhaled all air from the lungs before taking the big deep breath of N₂). That's what happened to @Diver_K_A and the subjects in the Russel Ogden's study. @Wunderkind also blacked out during his tests without even noticing.​

Love the answer. Brings me alot of relief. And im very grateful to have you around here gasmonkey

 

[outrider567]

Just wondering, when the SI kicks in, whether I am conscious or not, how long will I have the strength to potentially rip the mask off my head before my body loses the strength to struggle.

If you use the EEBD hood, you probably got about 30 seconds to change your mind before you pass out--But Once you're unconscious, there's no way you can rip that thing off, its around the neck quite tightly

 

[itsallpointless]

If you use the EEBD hood, you probably got about 30 seconds to change your mind before you pass out--But Once you're unconscious, there's no way you can rip that thing off, its around the neck quite tightly

30 seconds is a very big window. But I guess you could push through that