What influences the amount of nitrogen absorbed in the body during a dive?

The amount of nitrogen absorbed in the body during a dive is influenced significantly by the time spent at various depths. As a diver descends deeper into the water, the pressure increases, which causes nitrogen to be more soluble in the body's tissues. According to Henry’s Law, the amount of gas that dissolves in a liquid is proportional to the partial pressure of the gas above the liquid; hence, the longer a diver remains at a certain depth, the more nitrogen their body will absorb due to the increased pressure.

Therefore, if a diver spends extended time at a depth where the pressure is high, their body will absorb a greater amount of nitrogen compared to spending shorter amounts of time or diving at shallower depths. This understanding is crucial for managing the risk of decompression sickness, which can occur when nitrogen is released from the body too quickly after ascending.