74
EAN Abbreviation for enriched air nitrox.
Enriched Air Nitrox
Oxygen-Nitrogen mix, normally with more than 21% oxy-
gen.
Freediver A breath-holding diver whose only source of oxygen are his
lungs fi lled with surface air.
Hypercapnia Increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. A diver
who does not rest adequately between breath-hold dives
will have elevated carbon dioxide levels. This can pre-
dispose hin to carbon dioxide toxicity or blackout.
Hyperventilation An increase in rate and/or volume of breathing. Carbon
dioxide blood levels decrease with little corresponding
increase in oxygen blood levels. If the diver engages in
excessive hyperventilation, he may diminish his desire to
breathe, long enough to become unconscious after a long
period of apnea.
Hypoxia A condition that occurs when a diver’s tissues do not re-
ceive enough oxygen. Freedivers become hypoxic when
they hold their breath; they can eventually suffer blackout
if they hold their breath too long.
MOD Abbreviation for Maximum Operating Depth. The maxi-
m um depth at which gas is breathable with selected PO
2
limit.