Decompression is when a diver descends below the ambient pressure. During the ascent from depth, the diver's body experiences decompression. This can be dangerous and should not be done if decompression diving has been done correctly. Learn more about decompression and decompression sickness. You can also read about the penalties and treatment for decompression sickness. Below are some questions that decompression divers might ask.
Deco dives
When planning a deco dive, you'll want to run through the basic program in your V-planner. By doing so, you'll be able see how much is necessary to achieve the correct visibility. You can use a V planner if you want to do a dive below 35m. If you don't have a V-planner, you will need to manually calculate deco.
A minimum deco is a slow ascent from half the average depth. This is why it's called minimum deco. It takes longer than a minute. You will usually ascend 10ft/3m in 30 secs, then stop and recover for 30 secs before you repeat the process. Before you attempt to climb, it is a good idea to ensure that your body has 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 generates deco plans according to divers' choice of decompression models and gases. The software can be used to plan dives for specific decompression times, OTU loadings and gas requirements for each level. Divers can use the PC planning software to avoid common mistakes made when planning a dive manually.
A decompression stop, which is a series or stops made during ascent, allows the body to expel nitrogen/helium. A long decompression stop is needed to adjust to the pressure of the environment. The length of the decompression stops depends on the profile of the diver and the maximum depth reached. If you want to go to the deepest depths, plan several decompression stops.
Treatment for decompression sickness
Decompression sickness is treated by inhaling 100% oxygen through a mask and maintaining blood pressure. Fluids are administered to prevent oxygen loss. To reverse blood pressure changes, and to turn nitrogen back into liquid form, intensive treatment is done. This can take several hours. Avoid diving if you feel decompression sickness.
In acute cases, supplemental oxygen is given to the diver and should be maintained until help arrives. Since symptoms might not be obvious immediately, it can be difficult to diagnose decompression syndrome. The diver should be treated immediately and kept warm until assistance arrives. You should monitor your diver's condition closely and rule out any neurological signs. Air embolism is possible if symptoms persist beyond a few minutes.
Penalties for decompression diving
Penalties can be imposed for decompression diving. This could lead to consciousness loss and insufficient oxygen supply to the lungs. There are several ways to avoid these problems and reduce your risk of developing decompression sickness. While diving, make sure you know what you're doing. Diving without the right equipment can lead to decompression sickness. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when diving.
It is important not to underestimate the time it takes to decompress. Recreational diving's NDLs or depth limits are more concerned with fast tissues. Maximum ascent rates should allow for direct ascent to surface. No matter what tank you have, decompression diving requires complex calculations. The Buhlmann ZH-L16 algorithm fixes nitrogen halftimes at 2.65 times longer than helium's, and it adds an increasing time for decompression if the helium fraction is higher than expected.