What should divers do if they accidentally dive with the wrong gas mix?

If divers accidentally dive with the wrong gas mix, it is crucial to abort the dive and ascend safely while following appropriate procedures. This approach is based on the understanding that using the incorrect gas mix can lead to serious physiological effects, such as oxygen toxicity or nitrogen narcosis, depending on the gas composition.

Aborting the dive allows divers to prevent or mitigate any potential complications that could arise from breathing a gas mixture that is not suited to their planned dive profile. Following safe ascent procedures, such as performing safety stops, is vital to ensure that their ascent is controlled and to allow for any necessary off-gassing of nitrogen if they were exposed to higher partial pressures.

Continuing the dive could lead to dangerous situations since divers could suffer from adverse effects without proper monitoring or support. Changing the gas mix underwater is impractical and unsafe, as doing so poses risks of further complications. Utilizing emergency oxygen might not be effective or even appropriate given that the issue is related to the gas mix rather than a standard emergency scenario where oxygen administration might be warranted. Therefore, safely aborting the dive is the most responsible and prudent course of action.