Certified Transport Registered Nurse Certification Practice Exam

As a diver descends, what happens to the pressure exerted on their body molecules?

1. It decreases

2. It remains constant

3. It increases

4. It fluctuates

The correct answer is: It increases

As a diver descends, the pressure exerted on their body molecules increases due to the weight of the water above them. Water is denser than air, and for every 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) of descent in water, the pressure rises by roughly one atmosphere (atm). This increase in pressure affects the body's gases and tissues, which is crucial for divers to understand to avoid conditions like decompression sickness. Factors like buoyancy and the volume of gas in the body will also be influenced as the pressure changes. As a result, divers must adapt their breathing and other practices to manage the increasing pressure on their bodies during descent.