What will happen if a diver exceeds the maximum operating depth for a specific EANx mixture?

Exceeding the maximum operating depth for a specific Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) mixture primarily increases the risk of oxygen toxicity. Each EANx mixture has a predetermined maximum operating depth (MOD) based on its oxygen content. As a diver descends beyond this depth, the partial pressure of oxygen in the breathing gas increases, which can lead to symptoms of oxygen toxicity.

Oxygen toxicity can manifest in various ways, including visual disturbances, loss of consciousness, and seizures, which can pose serious dangers underwater. Therefore, it is crucial for divers to adhere to the MOD to ensure their safety and maintain physiological compliance while diving.

Improved diving performance and an easier ascent are not outcomes of exceeding the maximum operating depth; rather, these situations introduce various risks. Increased exposure to nitrogen narcosis could occur at increased depths but is not the primary concern associated with exceeding the MOD of a specific EANx mixture. The focus should remain on the risk of oxygen toxicity when diving beyond the specified limits.