What is the risk of mixing gases without adequate training?

Mixing gases without adequate training presents significant health risks such as hypoxia or oxygen toxicity. When divers do not fully understand how to properly mix and manage gas mixtures, they may unintentionally create a situation where the proportions of oxygen and nitrogen are not safe for breathing at certain depths.

Hypoxia occurs when there is insufficient oxygen available for the body, which can lead to serious health issues like loss of consciousness or impaired decision-making while diving. On the other hand, oxygen toxicity arises when excessive oxygen is inhaled, particularly under pressure, leading to potentially life-threatening neurological effects and respiratory complications.

Given these critical risks, proper training is essential to ensure that divers understand the implications of gas mixtures and can prevent hazardous situations that may arise from improper mixing or usage of gases.