If a diver remains at a constant depth long enough, what will their body saturate with?

When a diver remains at a constant depth for an extended period, their body absorbs various gases from the breathing mixture due to the increased pressure underwater. At greater depths, the partial pressure of gases such as nitrogen increases, leading to a more significant absorption of nitrogen into the body's tissues.

Nitrogen is present in the air we breathe and is one of the primary gases that divers take in during their dives. As the diver descends and remains at depth, the body's tissues, including muscles and fats, will eventually reach a state of saturation with nitrogen. This saturation occurs because the body equilibrates with the environment, and given the long duration at a constant depth, the nitrogen levels in the tissues can rise, which is critical to understanding the principles of decompression.

Other gases, like oxygen and helium, can also be absorbed, depending on the breathing mixture used; however, nitrogen is the dominant gas associated with saturation during recreational diving since it's the most abundant gas in normal air and represents the greatest risk for potential issues like decompression sickness. Understanding this process is essential for safe diving practices and managing ascent rates.