PADI Divemaster Certification Practice Exam

What does the M value represent in a tissue compartment?

1. The maximum value of a tissue compartment

2. The minimum absorption rate of gases

3. The surface pressure experienced during a dive

4. The overall depth of a specific dive

The correct answer is: The maximum value of a tissue compartment

The M value represents the maximum value of a tissue compartment. In the context of diving physiology, tissues in the body can absorb and release inert gases based on pressure and exposure to those gases. Each tissue compartment is characterized by a specific rate of absorption and elimination of inert gases, and the M value indicates the maximum amount of gas that can be dissolved in that specific tissue at a given pressure. Understanding the significance of the M value is essential for divers, particularly concerning the prevention of decompression sickness (DCS). It helps divers and dive professionals, such as divemasters, calculate no-decompression limits and ascent rates to ensure that the inert gas levels in the tissues remain within safe thresholds during ascent from depth. This understanding is crucial for planning dives and minimizing the risks associated with nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness.