At what depth can divers expect to feel the effects of pressure most acutely?

The effects of pressure on divers begin to become noticeably acute at deeper depths due to the increase in water pressure. At 120 feet of seawater (FSW), divers experience significant physiological changes. The pressure at this depth is approximately four times that at the surface, which can lead to various effects, including increased nitrogen absorption, changes in breathing gas density, and potential for narcosis.

As divers descend, the increased pressure affects gas laws, particularly Boyle's law, which states that the volume of gas is inversely proportional to pressure. At 120 FSW, divers may feel a more pronounced impact on their buoyancy and the physical sensations of pressure in their ears and sinuses due to the substantial increase in surrounding water pressure.

At shallower depths like 20 FSW and 50 FSW, while divers can still feel the effects of pressure, these sensations are generally less intense and can be compensated for more easily. At 200 FSW, although divers would experience serious pressure effects, by that depth, they are often well-prepared or trained for such conditions, and the immediate acuity of the effects may not be as noticeable compared to the obstacles encountered at 120 FSW. Therefore, 120 FSW is associated with significant