But is there any science behind it?
Some years later, scientists began experimenting with perfluorinated hydrocarbons — liquids similar to freon that (despite being harmful to the ozone layer) are able to dissolve both oxygen and carbon dioxide easily. The first results were much better than with the oxygenated saline solutions, and the mice were able to go back to normal gas breathing afterward. Over the next few decades, the formulas for breathable perfluorocarbons (PFCs) have been more refined. Currently, the best known liquid of this kind is called perflubron, also known by its brand name ‘LiquiVent‘. LiquiVent is an oily, clear liquid which is twice the density of water. It can carry more than twice as much oxygen per unit of volume as air can. It’s also inert, which means that it’s extremely unlikely to damage lung tissue. Because it has a very low boiling point, it can be cleared from the lungs easily and quickly by evaporation.
While it does seem fascinating, the primary reason for the experiments is medicinal since liquid breathing would be extremely beneficial for certain lung problems.
For example, infants born prematurely can have underdeveloped lungs. Because perflubron can carry much more oxygen than air, it can help relieve respiratory distress until their lungs are able to function on their own. It has also been used for adults with acute respiratory failure, whether due to burns, trauma, disease, or the inhalation of smoke or other toxins. The liquid encourages the collapsed alveoli to open, which washes out contaminants, and provides better exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide for lungs that are not yet fully functional. In clinical practice though, the lungs are usually not filled completely with the liquid; instead, liquid ventilation is usually used in tandem with conventional gaseous ventilation.
Heart and lungs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)But there must be a downside, right?
Unfortunately, yes. For all the benefits, liquid breathing still involves one major difficulty — it’s much harder for a humans lungs to move liquid in and out than it is to breathe a gas. The exchange rate of moving oxygen in and expelling carbon dioxide out falls sharply because our lungs are just not strong enough to efficiently move the liquid in and out of our lungs. Even though perflubron is so much better at carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide, that advantage is lost if you can’t circulate it rapidly enough. Without the use of a mechanical ventilator, it is especially problematic for someone who’s ill, and even a diver in top condition could get very tired after a few minutes of such laborious breathing during a deep and strenuous dive.
So yes, humans can technically “breathe” certain oxygen rich liquids. Unfortunately, we are only be able to do it for a few short minutes because our lungs are not strong enough to circulate the mixture for any extended period of time. This may change in the future however, as scientists continue to experiment with new methods and exotic combination of chemical liquids.
Sources:
How does saturation diving work?
Breathing Liquid
Here, Breathe This Liquid
Youtube:ABYSS. Breathing the Fluid
Excellent article! After seeing the movie, I always wondered if ti really was possible to breathe liquids, and you've answered that very clearly. Thanks!
ReplyDelete