What is the effect of increased pressure at depth on a diver?

Increased pressure at depth affects various physiological aspects of a diver, notably leading to an increased air consumption rate. At greater depths, the ambient pressure increases, which in turn affects the density of the breathing gas. This denser gas requires more effort to breathe, which can cause divers to consume air more quickly. The increased effort of breathing dense gas results in a higher rate of air consumption, as well as potentially impacting gas exchange efficiency in the lungs.

While there are other factors at play, such as the effects of pressure on buoyancy or temperature perception, the key factor associated with depth in this context is the change in air consumption rates due to the increased pressure on the diver’s body and their equipment. Understanding this relationship is crucial for divers to manage their air supply and avoid running out of air during a dive.