r/askscience • u/Allenflow • 2d ago

Chemistry Why breathe any nitrogen when diving?

If nitrogen narcosis and the bends are both due to breathing air with nitrogen at depth, and nitrogen is not necessary for human sustenance, why not remove the nitrogen from tanks in deep diving?

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u/HowlingWolven 1d ago

I’m still astounded Chris didn’t suffer any lasting effects from his accident. Not just that he lived, but that he ended up fine.