What is the effect of nitrogen absorption in relation to enriched air diving?

In the context of enriched air diving, the primary factor is the impact of nitrogen absorption on divers. When divers breathe normal air at depth, they absorb nitrogen along with oxygen. The increase in pressure at depth causes more nitrogen to dissolve in the body tissues, and if a diver ascends too quickly or does not manage their ascent properly, this can lead to decompression sickness, also known as "the bends."

Using enriched air, which typically has a higher percentage of oxygen and a correspondingly lower percentage of nitrogen compared to regular air, reduces the amount of nitrogen absorbed by the body. Consequently, this means that divers are at a lower risk for decompression sickness since there’s less nitrogen that could potentially bubble out of solution during ascent.

In summary, the relationship between nitrogen absorption and decompression sickness emphasizes the importance of managing nitrogen exposure while diving. Thus, understanding that enriched air diving reduces nitrogen absorption can significantly enhance safety during diving operations.