What happens if contaminated air is supplied to a diver?

• A. Breathing injury or poisoning
• B. Improved performance
• C. No effect
• D. Faster decompression

Answer: (A)

Contaminated air introduces toxic or irritating substances into the diver’s lungs, which can injure breathing and poison the body. When a diver inhales air with contaminants, the lungs and bloodstream can be exposed to harmful chemicals, leading to symptoms like coughing, dizziness, headaches, confusion, or even loss of consciousness. Some contaminants, such as carbon monoxide, can impair the body's ability to take up and use oxygen, making the situation even more dangerous underwater. Because safe gas quality is essential for reliable respiration and metabolic function, breathing contaminated air is a real breathing injury or poisoning risk.

This option isn’t about performance gains, so improved performance isn’t correct. There is a real effect from contaminated air, so claiming no effect isn’t correct. Contaminants don’t make decompression occur faster; decompression is driven by depth and time, not by air quality.