Dive Into Success: Master the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Exam 2025 – Make Waves with Confidence!

An oxygen monitor is a vital tool for divers, especially those exploring environments where high concentrations of oxygen are present. It helps divers avoid oxygen toxicity, which can occur when the partial pressure of oxygen exceeds safe levels, typically greater than 1.4 ATA for recreational diving. When a diver exceeds this limit, the risk of experiencing symptoms such as convulsions, visual disturbances, or other neurological issues increases significantly.

The monitor continuously assesses the oxygen levels in the diver's breathing gas, allowing for real-time adjustments and ensuring that divers remain within safe exposure limits. This is particularly crucial for those diving with enriched air (Nitrox) or deeper dives where the partial pressures can rise quickly.

The other options, while relevant to diving safety, do not relate directly to the primary function of an oxygen monitor. Dehydration, uncontrolled ascent, and buoyancy control are important considerations in diving but are not specifically managed through the use of an oxygen monitoring device.