How does altitude impact diving?

Altitude significantly influences diving due to the changes in atmospheric pressure, which directly affects the behavior of gases in the body. As altitude increases, the atmospheric pressure decreases. This reduction in external pressure can lead to a greater risk of decompression sickness for divers because the gases dissolved in the body's tissues may expand more quickly than they would at sea level when returning to the surface or transitioning to lower pressure environments.

When a diver ascends after a dive, any nitrogen absorbed into the body tissues during the dive comes out of solution and forms bubbles. At higher altitudes, these bubbles can form more rapidly and potentially lead to decompression sickness if the diver ascends too quickly. Additionally, divers who ascend directly from a dive to a high-altitude location without allowing proper time for decompression are at a heightened risk, as the combination of residual nitrogen and lower pressure increases the likelihood of bubble formation.

Thus, understanding the altitude's impact on the physiology of diving and the importance of adhering to recommended safety procedures, such as allowing time for surface decompression before ascending to higher altitudes, is critical in preventing decompression sickness.