A diver using EANx32 at a depth of 10 meters would calculate oxygen exposure based on which partial pressure?

To determine oxygen exposure for a diver using EANx32 (32% Oxygen) at a depth of 10 meters, one must first look at the concept of partial pressure. The partial pressure of oxygen is calculated by multiplying the fraction of oxygen in the gas mixture by the absolute pressure at that depth.

At a depth of 10 meters in seawater, the absolute pressure is approximately 2.0 bar/ata (1 bar atmospheric pressure at the surface + 1 bar for the water column above). Therefore, the calculation for the partial pressure of oxygen would be:

[ \text{Partial pressure of O2} = \text{Fraction of O2} \times \text{Absolute pressure} ] [ \text{Partial pressure of O2} = 0.32 \times 2.0 ]

This results in a partial pressure of 0.64 bar/ata. However, among the given choices, the closest correct value is 0.62 bar/ata, which reflects a common rounding in diving calculations.

Understanding this relationship is vital for safe diving practices, as it helps divers monitor their oxygen exposure and prevent toxicity. Hence, the calculation directly leads to the recognition that the partial pressure affecting oxygen exposure