When a diver descends to lower pressure than the ambient, it is called decompression. During ascent, the body of a diver is subject to decompression. This can be dangerous and should not be done if decompression diving has been done correctly. For more information, read about decompression diving and decompression sickness. Read also about decompression-sickness penalties and standard treatments. These are some of the most common questions a decompression diver might have.
Deco dives
Before you start planning your deco dive, make sure to review the basics of your V-planner. That way, you can see how much deco is required to achieve the correct visibility and depth. You can use a V planner if you want to do a dive below 35m. If not, you can calculate deco manually.
A minimum deco represents a slow climb from half the average height. It is not as short-term as its name suggests, and takes far more time than one minute. Usually, you'll ascend 10ft/3m in 30 seconds, stopping and recovering for 30 seconds before repeating the process. Before you begin to ascend, make sure your air has been fully decompressed. To do this, ensure you have enough oxygen in your tank.
Planned dives
A computer-generated plan can be useful for divers. The computer will generate deco schedules for divers based on their chosen number and decompression model. It also allows them to adjust conservatism settings. Divers can create dive plans using this software. They can choose a decompression period, OTU and CNS loadings, and the gas requirements for each depth. Divers will be able to avoid the common mathematical errors that can occur when planning a diving trip manually by using the PC planner tool.
A decompression stop is a series of stops during an ascent in order to allow the body to expel nitrogen and helium. To adjust to the pressure of the surrounding environment, a lengthy decompression break is required. The depth attained and the profile of a diver determine the duration of decompression stops. If you want to go to the deepest depths, plan several decompression stops.
Treatment for decompression sickness
To prevent decompression sickness, a standard treatment is to inhale 100% oxygen through a mask. In intensive treatment, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber is used in order to reverse the blood pressure changes and convert nitrogen back into liquid. This can be done over several hours. Avoid diving if you feel decompression sickness.
Acute cases require that the diver receive supplemental oxygen. This should be continued until help arrives. Because symptoms of decompression sickness are not always obvious, it may be difficult for a diver to diagnose. However, emergency care should be given to the diver and they should be kept warm until help arrives. It is important to monitor the diver's condition and rule out neurological signs. They could be signs of an air embolism, if symptoms do not appear within a few seconds.
Penalties for decompression diving
Decompression diving penalties can lead to loss of consciousness or insufficient air supply to your lungs. There are many options to prevent these issues and minimize the risk of suffering from decompression. Make sure you are familiar with what you are doing when you dive. The wrong equipment could cause you to get decompression sick. Here are a few common mistakes that you can avoid when diving.
Underestimating the decompression time is the first mistake you should avoid. Recreational diving, NDLs (and depth limits) are mostly concerned about fast tissues. Maximum ascent rates are designed to allow the direct ascent to the surface. No matter what tank you have, decompression diving requires complex calculations. The Buhlmann ZH-16 algorithm fixes nitrogen for 2.65 times longer as helium. Additionally, it increases the time required to decompress helium if it is higher than expected.