Gelatin, bubbles, and the bends.

Abstract

Studies carried out at the University of Hawaii have resulted in the development of a bubble formation model in which spherical gas nuclei are stabilized by surface-active skins of varying gas permeability. The varying-permeability model provides precise quantitative description of bubble counts made in supersaturated gelatin, and it accurately predicts levels of incidence for decompression sickness ("the bends") in several animal species including salmon, rats, and humans. A comprehensive set of diving tables based on the varying-permeability model appears to be both safe and efficient.