Talk:Barotrauma

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[edit] Descending

Descending and ascending in water. There are two components to the surrounding pressure acting on the diver: the atmospheric pressure and the water pressure. A descent of 10 metres (33 feet) in water increases the ambient pressure by approximately the pressure of the atmosphere at sea level. So, a descent from the surface to 10 metres (33 feet) underwater results in a doubling of the pressure on the diver.

This text from the article (and experience) implies to me that the ear pain felt when descending in water is due to the proportional difference in pressure, not the pressure difference.

In example, descending from sea level to 33 feet would double the pressure, while the pressure difference would be 1 atmosphere. Descending from 33 feet to 99 feet would again double the pressure, but the pressure difference would be 2 atmospheres. I contend that the effect on the ear would be the same going from sea level to 33 feet, as descending from 33 feet to 99 feet. I would love an expert to corroborate this... I have a buddy who is a physics prophessor that does not buy this argument. 65.204.218.243 18:45, 24 October 2007 (UTC)