In the acronym CONVENTID, what does the V stand for?

The V in the acronym CONVENTID stands for Visual distortion. This term refers to the effect that can occur when diving, particularly when dealing with the use of various gas mixtures, such as enriched air nitrox. Visual distortion can be a concern during dives because it can impact a diver's perception of their underwater environment, potentially leading to disorientation or misjudgments of distance and object recognition.

Understanding visual distortion is important for divers because it highlights the need to monitor how different gases can affect human physiology during a dive. This awareness can lead to implementing safety measures, such as ensuring adequate surface intervals and managing dive profiles to help mitigate such effects.