The Respiratory System

WHY THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM?
Virtually every book on scuba diving, including the open water teaching manuals, includes some information on anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system. Why is this material important to explain scuba diving? First, because it helps explain the origin of major problems that can result from pressure - decompression sickness and air embolism. Second, because it helps explain the one process vital to every dive: breathing compressed air under water. If you already feel comfortable with basic anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, please skip to Se…