“How do scuba divers use the laws and principles that describe the behavior of gases to their advantage? What precautions do they take to prevent the bends?”

 

Bud, that is a great question! The physical laws that you are referring to is Boyle’s Law:

 

 

As the video shows, the airspaces in your body are replaced with a commensurate amount of oxygen and nitrogen.  We as divers are careful to ongas and offgas the nitrogen (which is 78% of atmospheric air).

The best way of doing this is to ascend slowly. Technical divers do this by doing stops at 70′ then 50’-40’-30’-20’-10 feet of seawater for one minute each.  Don’t be fooled your 15′ for three to five minutes IS a decompression stop.

Again, great question, and glad to help.

Please feel free to contact me at my email above or contact me at 818 982 2652.  I’m here to help.

Tevis
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
http://www.k2scuba.com
http://www.k2scuba.com/blog