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Objectives Describe the function of the dive tables. Define common dive tables terminology and concepts. Explain the function and use of each individual table within the dive tables. Plan repetitive dives not requiring stage decompression. Calculate the minimum Surface Intervals for repetitive dives. Determine contingency mandatory decompression stops.
Purpose of the dive tables Track the amount of Nitrogen you accumulate in your body during a series of dives. Minimize the risk of Decompression sickness. Set time and depth limits such that you can make a direct ascent to the surface with minimal increase in the risk of decompression sickness (DCS)
Depth
Deepest point of dive no matter how brief the time spent there.
New Group
Letter group at the end of the SIT
Safety Stop
Voluntary stop at the end of every dive Facilitates outgassing of Nitrogen Reduces the likelihood of bubble formation
Depth
Use exact or next greatest number.
Time
Use exact or next greatest number
Dive sequence
Deep to shallow recommended
During the dive For any rep. dive
SIT
Minimum recommended Minimum recognized Keep activity to a minimum Drink water 1 hour 10 minutes
Altitude Diving
Special training/tables required when diving at altitudes above 1000 feet.
Stage Decompression Diving Dives that require a mandatory decompression stop. Considered beyond the realm of sport diving
risk and special equipment considerations. However you should have contingency information and be familiar with the minimal emergency procedures in case the maximum recreational dive time is exceeded.
Omitted Decompression
Missed mandatory decompression stop and no symptoms
Rest, drink fluids, and watch for signs of DCS. Do not re-enter water for at least 24 hours. If signs/symptoms of DCS are present treat for DCS
Use
Find depth of dive in left hand column Follow row for that depth to the right and find TNT Follow column for TNT down to find end of dive letter group Circled numbers indicate the maximum TNT you can accumulate for a dive to a given depth without the need for a mandatory decompression stop
Either for one dive or over a series of dives
Use
Follow column for end of dive letter group designation down until you find the block of time that includes the time spent on the surface. Follow that column to the right to your new group designation in table 3.
Determining the End-of-Dive letter group designation for a rep dive Based on
Actual depth of the dive TNT (RNT + TNT)
Planning a minimum SIT This process involves working backward from table 3.
Used when you must plan a minimum SIT between rep dives.
For example at the end of your dive you are an F diver and you want to go to 80 feet for 20 minutes. How long must you wait.
Follow that row to the right to find the highest letter designation that will allow 20 minutes at 80 feet.
In our example it is the letter C.
Continue working to the right until you find the intersection for the row C (the letter designation you must become), and the column for letter F at the bottom of table 1. (F is your current designation as given in the example.) The box at the intersection of row C from table 3 and column F from table 1 indicates the SIT necessary to change from an F diver to a C diver. In this case it is 2:59 4:25, so we must wait a minimum of 2:59.
SIT of less than 10 minutes Two dives separated by a SIT of less than 10 minutes are considered one dive on the tables. For example: Dive 1 SIT Dive 2 = on the tables 60/40 0:08 50/30 = 60/70
Bottom number
# minutes that must be spent at 15 feet
Example
A diver has a dive schedule of 100 feet/23 minutes
The diver must spend 5 minutes at 15 feet Note that any time from 22:01 25:00 requires this stop
The actual stage decompression tables for air diving are extensive. The information provided here is for contingency purposes only. Stage decompression diving requires extensive training and equipment, and is beyond the realm of recreational diving.
Before the Dive Prior to entering the water for any dive you must ask yourself, and answer, the following questions: How much excess Nitrogen, if any, do I have left in my body from previous dives?
Residual Nitrogen Time or RNT
What will be the maximum depth of my dive? What is my time limit for the planned depth of the dive?
First dive in a sequence Maximum dive time (MDT). Repetitive dives Adjusted Maximum Dive Time (AMDT).
Post Dive After the dive you must ask yourself, and answer, the following questions: What was the maximum depth of my dive? How long did I stay under water?
Actual Dive Time (ADT).
Proper use of the dive tables includes: Using the tables pre-dive to plan the dive. Using the tables post dive to determine end-of-dive letter group. Maximizes Bottom time or minimizes SIT Minimizes the risk of DCS