The question of when the utilization of a breathing gas mixture composed of oxygen, helium, and nitrogen originated is frequently posed within the diving community. This mixture, known for reducing nitrogen narcosis and oxygen toxicity at depth, allows for safer and more extended underwater exploration.
The development and adoption of this gas blend were crucial for advancing deep diving practices. Its implementation enabled divers to surpass previous depth limitations, opening access to previously unreachable underwater environments. The reduced risks associated with this type of gas blend significantly improved diver safety during prolonged and deep submergence activities. While experimentation with various gas mixes occurred earlier, its formal introduction and standardized application in technical diving are typically traced to the late 1980s and early 1990s.
