What Happens to Your Lungs When Scuba Diving?

Scuba diving is a fun and exciting activity, but it also poses some potential risks to your health. One of the most important considerations for scuba divers is the effect it can have on their lungs.

When you dive, you are breathing compressed air instead of normal atmospheric air. This means that your lungs are exposed to higher levels of oxygen and nitrogen than normal, which can cause damage if not monitored and managed properly.

On a basic level, when scuba diving, the pressure on your lungs increases as you go deeper. This causes them to expand in order to accommodate the increased pressure.

The expansion of your lungs can be uncomfortable and can lead to a feeling of congestion or tightness as you descend. The increased pressure and expansion also mean that more oxygen is being taken in by the body.

The increased oxygen intake can lead to an increase in blood oxygen levels, which is beneficial for the body overall. However, if these levels become too high then hyperoxia can occur. Hyperoxia occurs when there are too many dissolved oxygen molecules in the bloodstream which can cause serious health problems such as dizziness and disorientation.

Another potential risk associated with scuba diving is nitrogen narcosis. This occurs when nitrogen builds up in the bloodstream due to the increased pressure at greater depths, leading to a feeling of intoxication or euphoria. If left unchecked this could lead to poor decision-making, decreased coordination and even unconsciousness.

Conclusion:
Scuba diving puts your lungs under extra pressure due to changes in air composition and water pressure. At greater depths this can lead to an increase in blood oxygen levels which may cause hyperoxia if left unchecked; or nitrogen narcosis if excessive amounts of nitrogen build up in the bloodstream. It’s important for any scuba diver to be aware of these risks and take precautions when diving so that they don’t put their health at risk.

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Michael Allen