Scuba
Contributor
We know there remains a safety zone, or a buffer, protecting us from DCS at the guideline limits established by the recreational no deco models, for most divers, most of the time.
The question then becomes: How big is this buffer zone? More specifically, how big is your buffer zone, each and everyone's buffer zone in every dive? Since the answer to these questions are not presently known, but we do know that individual's susceptibility to DCS varies widely, and this susceptibiltiy can vary widely from dive to dive on the same individual. It would probably be considered prudent by most to stay within the tested and proven boundaries, even though a minor violation should not be cause for great concern in most cases.
The fact that someone uses a computer does not necessarily indicate that they are diving the deco model at its guideline limits. I would venture to guess that the vast majority doesn't.
Recreational dive computers are designed to allow maximum bottom time as set forth by their decompression model, while assisting the diver to stay away from mandatory deco obligations. They are the best tool and method available for this purpose when used in conjunction with sound diving pratices.
The question then becomes: How big is this buffer zone? More specifically, how big is your buffer zone, each and everyone's buffer zone in every dive? Since the answer to these questions are not presently known, but we do know that individual's susceptibility to DCS varies widely, and this susceptibiltiy can vary widely from dive to dive on the same individual. It would probably be considered prudent by most to stay within the tested and proven boundaries, even though a minor violation should not be cause for great concern in most cases.
The fact that someone uses a computer does not necessarily indicate that they are diving the deco model at its guideline limits. I would venture to guess that the vast majority doesn't.
Recreational dive computers are designed to allow maximum bottom time as set forth by their decompression model, while assisting the diver to stay away from mandatory deco obligations. They are the best tool and method available for this purpose when used in conjunction with sound diving pratices.
