Builders, I am happy to see everyone interested in diving. I am a Salvage Diver by trade. Unfortunately, after reading this instructable I have identified some dangers. I DO NOT INTEND TO INSULT ANYONE...HOWEVER, I ALSO WANT YOU TO STAY ALIVE AND HEALTHY. I wrote everything, essentially, straight and to the point.



Hypercapnia - excess breathing of carbon dioxide that commonly gets caught in "dead space" of helmet. Note the difference in the Mark V dive helmet and KM-37. Over time, engineers reduce the dead space to reduce this danger. I suggest designing a lower profile helmet.



Asphyxia - simply put, lack of air to breath (in case compressor shuts off or leak in hose or what not)



Carbon monoxide poisoning - By using a regular compressor and not a diver's are compressor, which specifically uses lubricants and has an intake far far from the exhaust, you increase your probability of death. Consider it like breathing air from the exhaust of a car...not good. I suggest researching proper lubricants and different diver air compressors. Also, learn more about High pressure vs Low pressure compressors.



Decompression sickness - using the compressor will allow you to have more "bottom time." depending on depth and bottom time you may need to decompress, this allows nitrogen gases to be removed from your body. If you surface without decompression you may find yourself immobile. This is because a nitrogen bubble is trapped in the nerves that allow you to operate your legs, arms, or whatever it is that can't move. You then need to find a recompression chamber to shrink the bubble immediately. When treated hopefully the immobile body part will be able to move (expect loss of sensation). Aside from that, you can also die from Decompression sickness, depending if the bubble is trapped in your head or heart.



Pulmonary Over Inflation Syndrome - Air can get trapped between the lungs and chest cavity. This is more painful than anything else, see a doctor. If you do not regulate the air from the compressor with respect to minimum manifold pressure you may also over inflate your lungs. Think of the cartoon breathing in a balloon and over inflating. This also happens when you go from a deeper depth to a shallower depth with too much air already in your lungs.



Arterial Gas Embolism - Those going up and down 20 ft of water may find themselves within the cold grasp of AGE. Though different from Decompression Sickness it is treated the same as has many of the same dangers.



I made this list as short as possible. If you research each danger you will find greater detail. I encourage everyone to take a class in diving to learn how ti mitigate the dangers. I wish you all safe diving and good luck.