What feeling might divers experience due to breathing compressed air at depth?

Breathing compressed air at depth can lead to a feeling of dizziness, primarily due to the effects of increased pressure on the body and the gases involved. As divers descend, the surrounding water pressure increases, which affects the volume and pressure of gases in the lungs and bloodstream. This can lead to issues like nitrogen narcosis, where nitrogen becomes more soluble in body tissues and can impair cognitive function and sensory perception. Dizziness may manifest as a result of changes in equilibrium and spatial orientation due to altered gas levels or even as a consequence of oxygen toxicity if the depth is significant.

While divers may also experience other sensations, dizziness is closely tied to physiological responses under pressure, making it a common experience at depth if proper precautions are not taken. Understanding the impacts of pressure and the physiological changes in the body helps clarify why this particular feeling is prevalent among divers.