Posted by Steve on May 10, 2001 at 21:50:09:
BillP wrote:
MHK insisted that he was quoting me directly when he said here that red blood cells (RBC's) "mutate" and that effects caused via RBC's couldn't be long term because RBC's only last for about 180 days and they "rejuvenate". As I said above, and as I told MHK via email, I don't recall ever making any such statements. While I DID say that the average RBC lasts about 180 days I don't recall ever saying that their long term effects were limited by this life span. And it would be incorrect to claim that individual RBC's "mutate" or even "rejuvenate".
1) What evidence is there on this subject one way or the other?
2) Why is N2 the suspected culprit for the cause of this so called rigid RBC and not the ppO2?
3) How does this effect the recreational diver, if at all?