Scuba diving and math

Answer 1

Many ways:

1) The volume of air stored in a tank

2) SAC or also known as the rate at which we breath, and what that translates to in terms of "how long can I dive with this size tank"

3) The conversion of units and the differences in US and metric systems. see:

How_many_cubic_feet_in_a_12_liter_cylinder

Answer 2

Pressure calculations both for recreational diving and to lift materials formt he sea bed in a controlled manner. Time for dives especialy repeated dives to work out safe limits. Air calulations. NITROX calculations. Costings for dives.

Answer 3

There are several mathematical equations that divers need to be familiar with.

From first learning to dive, divers have to learn how to compute no-decompression limits and dives and repetitive dives. Most dive tables do this may calculating a figure for Residual Nitrogen Time that the diver adds to their Actual Bottom Time on the repetitive dive.

Divers also like to familiarise themselves with Boyles law (effects of pressure on depth) to know how it affects their gas consumption and bouyancy control, but also because of the risk of lung expansion injuries caused by ascending too rapidly.

As divers become more advanced, they need to be able to learn and manipulate other formulae. When divers start using nitrox, they need to be able to calculate the partial pressure of oxygen in their breathing mix, and the way that this affects their no decompression limits.

As divers become advanced technical divers, they need to be able to calculate gas consumption rates at various depths and the need for reserves. They also need to be able to calculate equivalent narcotic depth to know how much helium to add to their mixes for very deep dives. They need to be able to calculate partial pressures of gases to accelerate decompression on oxygen rich mixes.

The futher you get into diving, the more maths is likely to be involved. Most divers use computers and software to assist with the calculations, but you should certainly learn the underlying concepts.

Scuba divers use mathematics in exactly the same way as any mathematically educated individual. where you are does not affect your ability (unless that location causes physical pain, i.e. high pressure at very low depths).