How does atmospheric pressure behave as a diver descends?

As a diver descends underwater, the atmospheric pressure increases due to the weight of the water above them. Pressure at sea level is defined as one atmosphere (ATA), and for every 10 meters (or approximately 33 feet) of seawater that a diver descends, the pressure increases by an additional atmosphere. This means that if a diver goes down to 10 meters, the pressure would be 2 ATA: one from the atmosphere above and one from the surrounding water. This increase in pressure is significant, as it affects various factors related to diving, including nitrogen uptake and the behavior of gases in the body.

Understanding this principle is crucial for divers to manage their ascent and descent properly, as failing to account for the increased pressure can lead to issues such as barotrauma or decompression sickness.