#22: Understanding How Breathing Changes Underwater

Reddit user qwerty_1357 offers a fascinating breakdown of how breathing works underwater. Air is about 20.8% oxygen at sea level, with a total pressure of 14.6 psi. But underwater, even if the oxygen percentage drops slightly, the increased pressure boosts its partial pressure—the real factor for breathing.

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This allows the submariners to breathe comfortably, even with less oxygen. Interestingly, fires are less likely to ignite in these conditions, adding a layer of safety. On the flip side, at high altitudes, our bodies instinctively breathe deeper to compensate for lower pressure, proving it’s not the percentage but the pressure that counts.

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