What is one reason to monitor physical exertion during dives?

Monitoring physical exertion during dives is crucial for several reasons, particularly to recognize signs of oxygen toxicity. When a diver exerts themselves physically, their body consumes oxygen at a faster rate, which can lead to a greater risk of hyperoxia, particularly when diving with enriched air nitrox. As the partial pressure of oxygen increases due to physical exertion, the likelihood of experiencing symptoms of oxygen toxicity, such as visual disturbances, convulsions, or other neurological issues, also increases.

Recognizing these signs is essential for maintaining safety during dives, as they can indicate that the diver is approaching dangerous levels of oxygen exposure. By keeping an eye on how much energy they are exerting, divers can better manage their dive profiles and reduce the risks associated with high levels of oxygen consumption, thereby ensuring a safer diving experience.

The other aspects of dive safety, while important, do not focus primarily on the same relationship between physical exertion and oxygen toxicity. Monitoring air consumption, for instance, is relevant but does not directly tie into the specific risks associated with exertion levels relative to oxygen.