What is a safety consideration for diving with higher oxygen mixtures?

When diving with higher oxygen mixtures, it is essential to consider that these mixtures allow for increased oxygen content, which can pose specific risks, particularly relating to maximum operating depths. Higher levels of oxygen can lead to oxygen toxicity, which is a significant safety concern. This toxicity is influenced by both the partial pressure of oxygen and the depth of the dive.

At greater depths, the pressure increases the partial pressure of oxygen in the mixture, raising the risk of experiencing central nervous system (CNS) toxicity. Consequently, divers using enriched oxygen mixtures must adhere to shallower maximum operating depths to minimize this risk. By limiting depth, divers can mitigate the potential for adverse effects associated with the higher oxygen levels, ensuring a safer diving experience.

In contrast, the other options do not directly address safety in the context of oxygen toxicity and diving with higher oxygen mixtures. Increased buoyancy is generally irrelevant to the oxygen content of a gas mix, longer dive times would not be a safe option since higher oxygen levels require caution, and decreased visibility is not a direct consequence of using higher oxygen mixtures. These considerations are secondary to the primary need for managing oxygen exposure through depth limitations.