9-7 UNLIMITED/NO-DECOMPRESSION LIMITS AND REPETITIVE GROUP DESIGNATION TABLE FOR UNLIMITED/NO-DECOMPRESSION AIR DIVES

UNLIMITED/NO-DECOMPRESSION LIMITS AND REPETITIVE GROUP DESIGNATION TABLE FOR UNLIMITED/NO-DECOMPRESSION AIR DIVES

The Unlimited/No-Decompression Table (Table 9-6) serves three purposes. First, the table identifies that on a dive with the depth 20 fsw and shallower, unlimited bottom time may be achieved. Second, it summarizes all the depth and bottom time combinations for which no decompression is required. Third, it provides the repetitive group designation for each unlimited/no-decompression dive. Even though decompression is not required, there is still an amount of nitrogen remaining in the diver’s tissues for up to 12 hours following a dive. If they dive again within a 12-hour period, divers must consider this residual nitrogen when calculating decompression from the repetitive dive. Any dive deeper than 25 fsw that has a bottom time greater than the no-decompression limit given in this table is a decompression dive and must be conducted per the Standard Air Decompression Table.

Each depth listed in the Unlimited/No-Decompression Table has a corresponding no-decompression limit listed in minutes. This limit is the maximum bottom time that divers may spend at that depth without requiring decompression. Use the columns to the right of the no-decompression limits column to obtain the repetitive group designation. This designation must be assigned to a diver subsequent to every dive.

To find the repetitive group designation:

1. Enter the table at the depth equal to, or next greater than, the maximum depth of the dive.

2. Follow that row to the right to the bottom time equal to, or just greater than, the actual bottom time of the dive.

3. Follow the column up to the repetitive group designation.

table 9-6

TABLE 9-6 Unlimited/No-Decompression Limits and Repetitive Group Designation Table for Unlimited/No- Decompression Air Dives.

Example

In planning a dive, the Dive Supervisor wants the divers to conduct a brief inspection of the work site, located at a depth of 152 fsw. Determine the maximum no-decompression limit and repetitive group designation.

Solution

The maximum bottom time that may be used without requiring decompression and the repetitive group designation after the dive can be found in either the Unlimited/No-Decompression Table or the Standard Air Decompression Table.

  • Using the Unlimited/No-Decompression Table.
  • 1. Locate the dive depth in the Depth column. Because there is no entry for 154 (152 +2) fsw, round the depth up to the next greater depth of 160 fsw.

    2. Move vertically across the table to locate the no-decompression limit in the Unlimted/No-Decompression Limits column. The no-decompression limit is 5 minutes. To avoid having to make decompression stops, the divers must descend to 152 fsw, make the inspection and begin ascent within 5 minutes of leaving the surface.

    3. To find the repetitive group designation, follow the 160-fsw entry to the right to the 5-minute bottom time entry and then follow it vertically to the top of the column. This shows the repetitive group designation to be D.

  • Using the Standard Air Decompression Table.
  • 1. Locate the schedule for the dive depth. Because there is no schedule for 154 (152 +2) fsw, round the depth up to the next greater depth of 160 fsw.

    2. Follow the 5-minute bottom time row all the way horizontally to the right. There is a “0” listed in the decompression stops column and D is depicted in the Repetitive Group column.

    Figure 9-5 is a diving chart for this dive.

    FIGURE 9-5

    FIGURE 9-5 Completed Air Diving Chart.