Combined effects of ethanol and hyperbaric air on body sway and heart rate in man
Jones, A.W.; Jennings, R.D.; Adolfson, J.; Hesser, C.M.
Undersea Biomedical Research 6(1): 15-25
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0093-5387 PMID: 462650 Document Number: 145333
Amateur divers (8) took part in crossover experiments to study the combined effects of ethanol (0.72 g/kg body wt) and hyperbaric air (4 and 6 atm) on heart rate and body sway movements. Body sway with open and closed eyes was measured in lateral and sagittal directions by a statometer device. In the alcohol condition, there was an initial increase in body sway corresponding to the acute phase of ethanol intoxication. At a mean blood alcohol concentration of 0.77 mg/ml, this increase in body sway was statistically significant (P < 0.01) compared with the alcohol-free condition. At 90 min from start of drinking, body sway scores at 1 atm were not significantly different from alcohol-free measurements. On raising the pressure to 4 and 6 atm, increased body sway occurred in alcohol and alcohol-free conditions and the rate of increase was more extreme in the alcohol condition. Significant pressure-alcohol interactions were established, suggesting a potentiating action of alcohol on the increase in body sway induced by acute exposure to high pressures of air. Heart-rate measurements with and without alcohol were not significantly different, although increases in ambient pressure caused a drop in heart rate in both conditions. [This study is relevant to the signs and symptoms of inert gas narcosis.].