Why does a scuba diver need high pressure in the air tank?

Question

Why does a scuba diver need high pressure in the air tank?

Answer 1

It's because the air needs high pressure regulated so it can allow it to be in your lungs. The water pressure of the ocean is so great, your lungs dont' have enough strength to breathe in past about 90 feet. So the pressure is maintained to force it in your lungs, and Voila! you can breath.

Choco Milko

Answer 2

The pressure in the tank is directly related to the amount of air left in the tank.

For example, a 3,000 psi tank on a 'normal' dive should last me about 60 minutes.  If that tank only had 2,000 psi, then it would last 2/3rds as long, or 40 minutes.  If that same tank only had 1,000 psi, it would only last me about 20 minutes.

Answer 3

so they can pack more air in there to use. otherwise it would be like 10 breaths and theyre done

Answer 4

Its oxygen compressed. The higher the pressure, the more oxygen you can take. Think of how much air you use in terms of a balloon. You could blow up a balloon the size of an oxygen tank in about 50 good breaths. Well divers need a h**l of a lot more than 50 breaths. If they want to pressurize when going really deep, they'll be under water for a few hours.

Answer 5

to get more air

Answer 6

The idea behind SCUBA is that the regulator (The thing in your mouth) provides air (not oxygen) at the same pressure as the water.  The deeper you go the higher the water pressure therefore the higher the air pressure needs to be.  Having the pressure of the air you are breathing match the water pressure means that your lungs are equalized and the effort to breathe is about the same as if you were at the surface.  In order for SCUBA to work, the air in your tank must always be at a higher pressure than the water.  Using 3000 psi for example allows more air to be stored in the tank which increases the amount of time you can dive.