How does altitude affect diving?

Altitude has a significant impact on diving, particularly in relation to nitrogen absorption and the risk of decompression sickness. At higher altitudes, the ambient pressure is lower than that at sea level. When divers ascend to altitude after a dive, the reduced pressure can affect the way nitrogen is released from the body. This is because nitrogen is less soluble in the blood at lower pressures, and as divers rise, nitrogen that was absorbed during the dive can form bubbles, potentially leading to decompression sickness.

The change in pressure alters the body's saturation with nitrogen, meaning that divers who ascend to a high altitude too soon after diving are at greater risk of experiencing these harmful effects. It is crucial for divers to understand and account for the altitude when planning dives and to follow appropriate ascent protocols to mitigate these risks.

This understanding emphasizes the importance of using dive tables or a dive computer that considers altitude changes and the need for safety stops when ascending from depth, ensuring that divers can safely manage the nitrogen within their bodies.