What is the relationship between depth in water and pressure experienced while diving?

The relationship between depth in water and pressure is well-established in physics and is a fundamental principle for divers. As a diver descends, the weight of the water above them increases, leading to a proportional increase in pressure. For every 10 meters (or approximately 33 feet) of seawater, the pressure increases by about one atmosphere (atm). This means that at a depth of 10 meters, a diver is subject to 2 atmospheres of pressure: one atmosphere from the weight of the air above the surface and one from the water itself.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for divers, as it affects various factors, including gas absorption in the body, buoyancy, and the use of nitrox mixtures. The increasing pressure can also influence the onset of nitrogen narcosis and the risk of decompression sickness when ascending. Therefore, the correct assertion that pressure increases with depth is a vital concept for safe and effective diving practices.