| > | | | | the air; and they will increase simultaneously. |
| Dalton's law refers to the effects which partial | | | | A specific case in which the effects specified by |
| pressure might have on divers. This law says that the | | | | Dalton's law should be seriously considered by divers |
| pressure of mixed gases is equal to the pressure | | | | is regarding nitrogen. Whenever there is an increase |
| produced by the individual gas. It can also be | | | | of the partial pressure of nitrogen, this would cause a |
| explained by saying that the total pressure of a | | | | higher nitrogen concentration dissolved in the diver's |
| mixture of gases equals the sum of the partial | | | | blood, and this could cause him to suffer a nitrogen |
| pressures of gases which are part of it. | | | | narcosis. This, among many other situations which |
| This means that the number of molecules present in | | | | might arise due to the facts stated by |
| the total volume of a gas is proportional to the | | | | Dalton’s law, should be prevented by a proper |
| number of molecules present on each one of the | | | | planning of the diving activities which a diver intends |
| gases which compose it. This way, while the total | | | | to practice. |
| gas pressure increases as a diver goes deeper into | | | | The effects which a gas might cause on a diver are |
| the water, the partial pressure of each gas involved | | | | based on the pressure which such gas exerts on his |
| increases as well, and the effects which might cause | | | | body. This explains why Dalton's law is so important |
| on the divers body also increases with it. | | | | for divers and why they should understand it and |
| For example, air is a mixture of gases which contains | | | | prevent the effects it explains. Partial pressure |
| about 80% of nitrogen and 20% of oxygen although | | | | related problems can affect the human body in |
| it also includes small amounts of other gases as well. | | | | several ways, such as causing nitrogen narcosis or |
| According to Dalton's law, the partial pressure | | | | ear canal damage among others, and therefore |
| exerted by the nitrogen and by the oxygen which | | | | divers should pay attention to these dangers and |
| make the air will be equal to the total pressure of | | | | take the necessary precautions. |