What is the partial pressure of oxygen when diving with a Nitrox mix of 32% oxygen at a depth of 30 meters?

To determine the partial pressure of oxygen when diving with a Nitrox mix, you first need to calculate the total pressure at the given depth. In scuba diving, the pressure increases by approximately 1 atmosphere (ATA) for every 10 meters of seawater. At a depth of 30 meters, the total pressure can be calculated as follows:

• Atmospheric pressure at sea level is 1 ATA.

• The pressure increase due to the water column is an additional 3 ATA (30 meters divided by 10 meters per ATA).

• Therefore, the total pressure at 30 meters is 4 ATA.

Next, to find the partial pressure of oxygen in the Nitrox mix, you take the fraction of oxygen in the mix and multiply it by the total pressure. For a mix of 32% oxygen, this can be calculated as:

• Fraction of oxygen = 0.32 (which is 32% expressed as a decimal).

• Partial pressure of oxygen = Total pressure (4 ATA) x Fraction of oxygen (0.32).

So, the calculation becomes:

Partial pressure of oxygen = 4 ATA x 0.32 = 1.28 ATA.

This makes the partial pressure of oxygen at a depth of 30 meters with