7 Decompression Tips
Diving carries a risk of decompression related injuries – There are a few encompassing terms Decompression illness(DCI), Gas bubble disease (GBD), etc. All divers need to have an understanding of that risk and be prepared to mitigate it. The only way to guarantee no risk of scuba related GBD is to not scuba dive. We need to understand and accept that inherent risk and work towards reducing risk in every dive. Here are some tips and resources for your training program and beyond.
Analyze your gasses.
Your computer needs to know the gas you’re breathing because no-deco limits and decompression schedules are calculated based on the partial pressure of the gasses you’re breathing. Analyze and label your gasses. Every time. Replace the label, every time. Assuming you have 32% when you actually have 21% is a quick way to cause issues.
Be physically prepared
Start dives rested, hydrated and energized. Diving is fun and relaxing but it’s still work on your body. Don’t start a dive if you’re already a step behind.
Plan to be calm
Reducing CO2 is beneficial for GBD, oxygen toxicity and general enjoyment of the dive. It’s impossible to just “be calm” but there are strategies to prevent CO2 buildup.
- Don’t be rushed – prepare the night before, not the morning of.
- Visualize the dive – think through the steps and imagine yourself doing them.
- Breath comes first – Let your breathing determine your workload.
- Be efficient – make your movements graceful and simple.
- Return to your breathing before solving problems.
Plan the dive, do the deco
Use dive planning software to review NDLs, profiles and contingencies before every dive to ensure you can meet the logistical time restraints you have. There isn’t an award for doing the least amount of deco.
Do surface deco
Don’t carry everything out of the water the second you’re cleared and surface. Take some time to relax before hauling things around.
Understand the signs and symptoms
It’s part of your responsibility as a technical diver to understand the signs and symptoms of GBD. Here is a resource from the Divers Alert Network.
Be prepared in the event of an incident.
You should have DAN insurance and access to adequate first aid for the environment in which you’re diving. Read more about emergency training for technical divers here.
Here are some great resources when it comes to decompression issues:
Video that explains nomenclature well – https://vimeo.com/420025661
Video of case studies – https://vimeo.com/408087608
Article on decompression stressors – https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/the-many-factors-in-decompression-stress/