In a sense, all tables are Customized such that DCS will not occur. What can be wrong with that? Of course, what you mean is presented such that each individual diver could maximize bottom time for every dive. This would present problems for divers in a group since each would have different depress schedules not convenient.
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Not really possible.:depressed:
Dr Deco :doctor:
I disagree. In fact, I have wondered why we don't have this and the answer clearly is that "dive science" is hardly sophisticated enough to proceed.
I see three very limiting factors.
1) Dive tables are basically derived from Navy divers. Twenty-somethings in very good shape, the majority males. My 16 YO dive buddy (my son) has a frighteningly low SAC compared to the way I hog air. He is also 10% body fat (or less!) compared to my 30 something
The dive tables exist somewhere in between him and me, and far favoring him. Oh, and don't say that tables are also done by university researchers--20 something college kids are the same as 20 something Navy seamen.
2) The recreational diving organizations are faced with the monumental task of safeguarding safety on an absolutely huge population spread of divers. As such, they must be very, very conservative.
3) Commercial diving has a vested interest in customization, but nowhere near the resources to do the job right.
I have a scale that does a good job at measuring my biometrics with respect to body composition. True, I do not have a hydrostatic weighing tank in my bathroom, but biometrics has come a long way using modern electronics and microprocessors. I use a dive computer that knows, at 2 second intervals, where I am in terms of depth, my gas usage over time and the temperature of the water I am in. It even knows if I am breathing EANXX, where XX is other than 21.
Now why can't these two talk? In other words, how about a dive computer that starts before the dive by getting the latest biometrics, uses that data along with the dynamic data of the dive and then predicts, after the dive, the state of the body WRT gas absorption?
I could even see this system taking into account age and body structure. I am 6' with medium (on the large size frame). People are surprised to find out how much I weigh because I "carry it well". In other words, my fat is pretty well distributed. The data from a skin fold exam and tape measurements could also be input to this system to fine tune the process.
The point is, we now have the technology to take a great leap forward in terms of decompression science at the individual level.