Theoretical max. depth for diver

[jackherer]

Hello,

Is there any theoretical limits how deep human can dive. If a diver gets proper compressed air, is it then possible to dive as deep as diver wants or does that huge hydrostatic pressure in deep-sea put some limits for depth that human can go. Can human body handle as high pressure as it is in deep-sea.

 

[rslomkow]

There is some speculation on this. At some point depth pressure will start seriously changing the bodies capacity for chemical reactions, such as the transmission of neuron signals. Also at some point even noble gases will be heavily absorbed by body tissues.

There is a very good book on the history of diving from medical point of view
called [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Bends-Compressed-History-Science-Engineering/dp/0300071256/sr=1-2/qid=1170861860/ref=sr_1_2/103-8466537-2329434?ie=UTF8&s=books"]"The Bends: Compressed Air in the History of Science, Diving, and Engineering"[/ame]

People have gone down to 1500m (French team, don't remember the details, book is Oregon) and returned, some of the dry diving (chambers) in Norway have tried to apply even greater pressure.

One of the findings was that people with benign brain aberration (tumors, lesions, formations) would experience neurological problems under great pressure.

I suspect that human beings can dive to the deepest parts of earth coverd in water, but it won't be comfortable and it will take a very long time to come back up.