[a4isms]

FWIW you don’t need a bathyscape to experiment with this. When Scuba diving in temperate locations (like Tobermory, Ontario), people with 7mm wet suits and extra vests or jackets experience this as they descend: The neoprene compresses, and if you don’t add small amounts of buoyancy to your BCD, you’ll start to free-fall.

[itishappy]

You can experienced this in pools! 12ft of water adds an extra 1/3 atmosphere of pressure, compressing the gas in your body by 25%. (That's why your ears pop!)

By varying the amount of air in your lungs, you can choose which depth to be neutrally buoyant at. Weirdly fun!

[eternityforest]

Or at least, you can if you don't sink instantly at any depth!

[jacquesm]

It's Tobermory. Absolutely beautiful area, so many birds. I went camping there several times. It's also pretty much the end of the world, the only way through is by ferry.

[a4isms]

You’re correct, no “e.” Thanks!

The diving in Five Fathoms Marine Park is exquisite, and it’s a short drive from Lion’s Head, which has absolutely stellar rock climbing.[1] We’ve taken the kids on the ferry to Manitoulin Island[2], and from there driven over to Sudbury.

I recommend trying that ferry at least once, it was a lovely experience.

[1]: https://www.thecrag.com/en/climbing/canada/lions-head

[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitoulin_Island

[dtgriscom]

Isn't the neoprene air-containing foam, and it's the air that compresses? (Not that that negates your point...)

[itishappy]

Absolutely, but that air is still an integral part of the foam, right? I think it's fair to say they both compress.

Neoprene is a closed-cell foam. An open-cell foam (like a dish sponge) would not compress as air/water can just flow through.