What can cause a diver to be disoriented?

Disorientation in divers can occur due to various environmental factors, and pressure changes combined with low visibility are significant contributors to this experience.

When divers descend, they encounter increased pressure that can affect their physical sensations and mental clarity. This change can lead to a sense of disorientation, especially if the diver is not accustomed to deep diving or if they ascend and descend too rapidly. Coupled with low visibility, which can be caused by murky water, sediment, or environmental conditions, the diver's ability to orient themselves becomes impaired. Without clear visual cues to reference, divers may struggle to maintain spatial awareness, increasing the likelihood of becoming disoriented.

In contrast, consistent visibility allows divers to gauge their surroundings effectively, calm water conditions typically ensure a stable environment to navigate, and while extended bottom time affects physiological factors like nitrogen absorption, it does not directly cause disorientation in the way that pressure changes and low visibility do.