What potential risks increase with diving experience and deeper dives?

The potential risks that increase with greater diving experience and when diving at deeper levels include a greater exposure to decompression sickness (DCS), narcosis, and equipment failure.

As divers go deeper, the pressure changes significantly affect the body and the gases that are being breathed. DCS occurs when nitrogen, absorbed in the body’s tissues during the ascent from depth, forms bubbles in the bloodstream due to quick ascent; the risk is greater at deeper dives because of increased nitrogen absorption. Similarly, narcosis, which is often described as a state akin to intoxication, can occur as divers descend beyond certain depths, typically around 30 meters (100 feet), leading to impaired judgment and cognitive function. The complexity of equipment operation also increases at greater depths, which raises the risk of equipment failure, either due to mechanical issues or user error, as conditions become more extreme and challenging.

While increased familiarity with equipment and greater knowledge of marine life are indeed valuable aspects of diving experience, they do not inherently introduce risks as depth and environmental conditions do. Thus, while experience can enhance understanding and safety protocols, it does not mitigate the increased risks associated with deeper and more complex dive situations, which are primarily related to physiological effects and equipment performance under higher pressures.