5.9.4. Diving at altitude
The dive computer can be adjusted both for diving at altitude and also to increase the
conservatism of the mathematical nitrogen model.
When programming the instrument for the correct altitude, you need to select the correct
Altitude Adjustment settings according to
Table 5.4, Altitude Adjustment settings
. The dive
computer will adjust its mathematical model according to the entered altitude setting, giving
shorter no-decompression times at higher altitudes (see
Table 9.1, No-decompression
time limits for various depths (m)
and
Table 9.2, No-decompression time limits for various
depths (ft)
in
Section 9.2. RGBM
).
Table 5.4. Altitude Adjustment settings
Altitude range
Alt. adjustment value
0 - 300 m / 0 - 1000 ft
A0
300 - 1500 m / 1000 - 5000 ft
A1
1500 - 3000 m / 5000 - 10 000 ft
A2
NOTE
Section 5.8.4. Setting the personal/altitude adjustments describes
how the Altitude value is set.
WARNING
Traveling to a higher elevation can temporarily cause a change in the
equilibrium of dissolved nitrogen in the body. It is recommended that
you acclimatize to the new altitude by waiting at least three hours
before diving.
5.9.5. Personal adjustments
There are personal factors that can affect your susceptibility to DCI, which you can predict
in advance, and input into the decompression model. Such factors vary between divers
and also for the same diver from one day to another. The three-step Personal Adjustment
setting is available if a more conservative dive plan is desired and, for very experienced
divers, a two step adjustment for RGBM effect on repetitive dives is available.
The personal factors which tend to increase the possibility of DCI include, but are not
limited to:
•
cold exposure - water temperature less than 20 °C/68 °F
•
below average physical fitness level
•
fatigue
•
dehydration
•
previous history of DCI
•
stress
•
obesity
This feature is used to adjust the computer to be more conservative, according to personal
preference, by entering the suitable Personal Adjustment setting with the help of
Table 5.5,
Personal Adjustment settings
. In ideal conditions, retain the default setting, P0. If conditions
are more difficult, or any of the factors which tend to increase the possibility of DCI exist,
select P1, or even the most conservative P2. The dive computer then adjusts its
mathematical model according to the entered Personal Adjustment setting, giving shorter
no-decompression times (see
Section 9.2.2. No-decompression limits
,
Table 9.1, No-
decompression time limits for various depths (m)
and
Table 9.2, No-decompression time
limits for various depths (ft)
).
23
