
02/06/2025
🌊 Below Sea Level – For Divers:
What it means: You're underwater, descending below the average sea level.
Pressure: Increases the deeper you go. Every 10 meters (33 feet) underwater adds about 1 atmosphere (atm) of pressure.
Effects:
More pressure on the body.
Breathing compressed air (e.g., via scuba tanks).
Risk of decompression sickness if ascending too fast.
Environment: Cold, dark, and denser as you go deeper.
🏔️ Above Sea Level – For Hikers:
What it means: You’re climbing higher into the atmosphere, above the average sea level.
Pressure: Decreases as you ascend. Less oxygen in the air.
Effects:
Harder to breathe at high altitudes.
Risk of altitude sickness if ascending too quickly.
Environment: Colder, windier, and thinner air as you go higher.
✅ Key Comparison:
Feature Below Sea Level (Diving) Above Sea Level (Hiking)
Pressure Increases with depth Decreases with height
Oxygen Delivered via tank Naturally available but thinner
Health Risks Decompression sickness Altitude sickness
Gear Wetsuit, scuba tank Hiking boots, layers, oxygen (if high)
Environment Underwater, cold, dark Mountainous, cold, windy