Eli5: cave diving. Why do you need different gas mixtures at different depths?

Question

Eli5: cave diving. Why do you need different gas mixtures at different depths?

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Answer 1

As a diver descends, the pressure around them increases. This can cause the gases in the air to become more concentrated, which can be toxic if not managed properly. For example, at deeper depths, the nitrogen in the air can become toxic if the concentration is too high. To prevent this, divers use different gas mixtures at different depths that are optimized for the particular depth and pressure they are experiencing. These mixtures often contain a higher proportion of oxygen and a lower proportion of nitrogen, which can help to prevent nitrogen toxicity.