What should divers do to minimize the risk of oxygen toxicity?

Maintaining proper oxygen exposure limits is essential for divers to minimize the risk of oxygen toxicity. Oxygen toxicity occurs when partial pressure of oxygen (PPO2) is elevated beyond safe levels, which can lead to neurological or pulmonary effects. By adhering to established exposure limits, divers ensure that their exposure to higher pressures of oxygen is controlled, reducing the likelihood of experiencing toxic effects. These limits are often based on factors such as depth, time, and the specific nitrox mixture being used.

Choosing a higher PPO2 than necessary can increase the risk of toxicity, and performing multiple deep dives without proper planning can exacerbate this risk. Diving with pure oxygen is generally not recommended for recreational divers due to the high PPO2 at even shallow depths, which significantly heightens the risk of oxygen toxicity. Thus, recognizing and adhering to proper exposure limits is the most effective strategy for ensuring safety when diving with nitrox or any other oxygen-rich gas mixtures.