How does physical exertion affect a diver's air consumption?

Physical exertion significantly influences a diver's air consumption, and as the level of effort increases, so does the amount of air consumed. When a diver engages in more strenuous activities, their metabolic demand rises, leading to an increase in breathing rate and depth. This heightened demand for oxygen means that the diver uses air from their tank more quickly, resulting in increased air consumption.

During activities like swimming against currents, carrying equipment, or performing challenging maneuvers, the diver's body requires more oxygen to sustain these efforts. As a consequence, the diver's regulator will supply air at a faster rate to accommodate this greater need. Understanding this relationship is crucial for divers to manage their air supply and plan their dives accordingly, considering the activities they intend to undertake and the corresponding air consumption.

The other options do not accurately reflect the physiological reality of how diving and physical exertion interact. Some may suggest that exertion has no effect or decreases air consumption, but neither aligns with the well-documented principles of human physiology in a diving context.