What is the effect of higher oxygen concentrations on one's body during a dive?

Higher oxygen concentrations can indeed lead to oxygen toxicity, especially when diving at greater depths or under higher pressures. As the partial pressure of oxygen increases, it can have detrimental effects on the central nervous system, which can lead to symptoms such as visual disturbances, muscle twitching, and even seizures in severe cases. This phenomenon is particularly critical for divers using enriched air nitrox, as they must carefully monitor their depth to avoid these high partial pressures of oxygen that can occur underwater.

In contrast, while there might be benefits like improved underwater vision due to certain light conditions, the primary concern with higher oxygen levels during diving is the risk of toxicity. Additionally, oxygen does influence the body, although it might not seem drastic at shallow depths; ignoring the potential effects of higher concentrations can lead to serious incidents. Lastly, oxygen concentrations don’t directly affect buoyancy in a way that leads to uncontrolled ascent, as buoyancy is primarily affected by the diver’s overall volume and weight rather than the oxygen concentration in use. Thus, understanding the risks of oxygen toxicity is crucial for safe diving practices with enriched air nitrox.