While much good information has been offered, Snow Dog, with what are you actually having trouble? Where do you find yourself getting stumped?
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It's not arbitrary. The numbers are based upon a rather complicated mathematical model of how our bodies react to increased and decreased pressures of nitrogen.
Also, carefully read the pamphlet that came with the PADI Recreational Dive Planner.
Of course, there's always (or should be) your instructor! Ask for help.
Lastly, if you want to read up on decompression theory and the creation of the Recreational Dive Planner (and other dive tables), there is a very good treatment of the subject in the PADI Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving (available through your LDS).
While much good information has been offered, Snow Dog, with what are you actually having trouble? Where do you find yourself getting stumped?
I am having a hard time learning the PADI dive tables. There seems to be nothing intuitive about it, as it is just an arbitrary construct. Is there any material on the web that offers a useful explanation regarding how to learn to use it?
Thank you.
It is embarrassing to admit, but I would see it demonstrated, have it seem to make sense, and then not be able to hang onto all of the steps in my mind to do it again 20 minutes later. I had some success last night and will work on it again tonight.