Which of the following is a risk associated with increased oxygen levels in diving?

Study for the PADI Enriched Air Diver Exam. Enhance your diving experience with enriched air theory, modules, and real-world applications. Ace your exam with practice questions, hints, and explanations.

Increased oxygen levels in diving can lead to oxygen toxicity, which is a significant risk climbers face when breathing higher concentrations of oxygen. Oxygen toxicity occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen in the breathing mix exceeds safe limits, potentially affecting the central nervous system or the lungs.

At elevated pressures, such as those experienced during deep dives, higher concentrations of oxygen can lead to symptoms like visual disturbances, muscle twitching, seizures, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Understanding this risk is crucial for divers using enriched air mixes, as managing oxygen exposure levels is an essential component of safe diving practices.

It's also important to note that other risks associated with diving, such as barotrauma, decompression sickness, and mild hypothermia, do not specifically stem from an increase in oxygen levels. Barotrauma is related to pressure changes affecting gases in body tissues; decompression sickness arises from inadequate ascent protocols; and mild hypothermia results from exposure to cold water rather than oxygen concentrations. Therefore, oxygen toxicity stands out as the primary concern tied directly to increased levels of oxygen during dives.

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