## How Bad Is Scuba Diving with Pure Oxygen?
Scuba diving with pure oxygen is a controversial topic in the diving community. Some divers believe that it is a safe and effective way to extend their bottom time, while others believe that it is dangerous and can lead to serious health problems.
### The Benefits of Diving with Pure Oxygen
There are a few potential benefits to diving with pure oxygen. First, it can allow divers to stay underwater for longer periods of time. This is because pure oxygen is more efficient at delivering oxygen to the body than air, which contains only about 21% oxygen. Second, pure oxygen can help to reduce decompression sickness (DCS), which is a condition that can occur when divers ascend too quickly from a dive. DCS is caused by nitrogen bubbles forming in the body’s tissues, and pure oxygen can help to prevent these bubbles from forming.
### The Risks of Diving with Pure Oxygen
There are also a few potential risks associated with diving with pure oxygen. First, it can increase the risk of oxygen toxicity. Oxygen toxicity is a condition that can occur when the body is exposed to too much oxygen. Symptoms of oxygen toxicity include seizures, nausea, and vomiting. Second, pure oxygen can increase the risk of fire. This is because pure oxygen is highly flammable, and even a small spark can cause a fire.
### The Verdict
So, is scuba diving with pure oxygen safe? The answer is: it depends. If you are a healthy diver who is properly trained and experienced, then diving with pure oxygen can be a safe and effective way to extend your bottom time. However, if you are not a healthy diver or if you are not properly trained and experienced, then diving with pure oxygen is not recommended.
### Here are some additional tips for diving with pure oxygen safely:
Only dive with pure oxygen if you are a healthy diver who is properly trained and experienced.
Use a closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) when diving with pure oxygen. This will help to reduce the risk of oxygen toxicity and fire.
Monitor your oxygen levels closely when diving with pure oxygen.
Ascend slowly from dives with pure oxygen. This will help to reduce the risk of DCS.
Be aware of the signs and symptoms of oxygen toxicity. If you experience any of these symptoms, ascend to the surface immediately.
### Conclusion
Diving with pure oxygen can be a safe and effective way to extend your bottom time, but it is important to be aware of the risks involved. If you are considering diving with pure oxygen, be sure to talk to your doctor and a qualified diving instructor.