Dear Diving Doc:
I whole question of decompression algorithms is a complicated topic. Here are some comments, not necessarily placed in any order of importance.
[sp][1.] It is difficult to say what might be better without taking into account the use to which it is put. Many devices with bells and whistles might be used by advanced divers who perform stressful dives. The deco device might perform in a manner expected for dives involving considerable musculoskeletal stress and high gas loads. Contrast this with a simple deco meter algorithm used only by a little old lady on Sunday. It is possible that the dives could be so simple that trivial gas loads are encountered and nothing untoward could ever be expected to occur.
[sp][2.] The general fact is that the device that allows the larger gas loads will produce more DCS in the long run - - all things being equal. (The corollary to this is that you cannot get DCS unless you are supersaturated.) The lower the gas loads (more conservative), the better off you will be in so far as gas loading is concerned. BUT one can always take a longer surface interval and come up sooner. You have the control of that. The dive table is a "road map" of the gas loads in your body. It tells you "where you are" but you are not compelled to take every road!:mean:
[sp][3.] There are more factors to DCS than only gas loads. It has been known for decdes that individuals vary in their susceptibility to DCS. The reason for this is not known, but genetics no doubt plays a role in the physiology. :baby: This is not in a computer algorithm.
[sp][4.] It is known that activity level will influence DCS susceptibility. Most divers do not consider the fact that the decompression is not over when you surface. The surfacing activity is not in a computer algorithm.:nono:
[sp][5.] Activity at depth will affect gas loads. Algorithms attempt to track this with many compartments. These compartments actually shift, but there are not any true adaptive computers in existence today. This is not in any computer algorithm.
These are only a few thoughts. If I knew it all, I'd be president by now..=-)
Dr Deco :doctor: