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Suunto D5
gas mixes with helium - on deeper and longer dives helium based gas mixes provide shorter
ascent times. And finally, for rebreather divers the Suunto Fused RGBM algorithm gives the
perfect tool to be used as a non-monitoring, set point dive computer.
3.27.1. Diver safety
Because any decompression model is purely theoretical and does not monitor the actual
body of a diver, no decompression model can guarantee the absence of DCS. Experimentally
it has been shown that the body adapts to decompression to some degree when diving is
constant and frequent. Two personal adjustment settings (P-1 and P-2) are available for divers
who dive constantly and are ready to accept greater personal risk.
CAUTION: Always use the same personal and altitude adjustment settings for the actual
dive and for the planning. Increasing the personal adjustment setting from the planned
setting as well as increasing the altitude adjustment setting can lead to longer
decompression times deeper and thus to larger required gas volume. You can run out of
breathing gas underwater if the personal adjustment setting has been changed after dive
planning.
3.27.2. Altitude diving
The atmospheric pressure is lower at high altitudes than at sea level. After traveling to a
higher altitude, you will have additional nitrogen in your body, compared to the equilibrium
situation at the original altitude. This 'additional' nitrogen is released gradually over time and
equilibrium is restored. It is recommended that you acclimatize to a new altitude by waiting at
least three hours before making a dive.
Before high-altitude diving, you need to adjust the altitude settings of your dive computer so
that the calculations take into account the high altitude. The maximum partial pressures of
nitrogen allowed by the mathematical model of the dive computer are reduced according to
the lower ambient pressure.
As a result, the allowed no decompression stop limits are considerably reduced.
WARNING: SET THE CORRECT ALTITUDE SETTING! When diving at altitudes greater
than 300 m (1000 ft), the altitude setting must be correctly selected in order for the computer
to calculate the decompression status. The dive computer is not intended for use at altitudes
greater than 3000 m (10000 ft). Failure to select the correct altitude setting or diving above
the maximum altitude limit will result in erroneous dive and planning data.
3.27.3. Oxygen exposure
The oxygen exposure calculations are based on currently accepted exposure time limit tables
and principles. In addition to this, the dive computer uses several methods to conservatively
estimate the oxygen exposure. For example:
The displayed oxygen exposure calculations are raised to the next higher percentage
•
value.
The CNS% limits up to 1.6 bar (23.2 psi) are based on 1991 NOAA Diving Manual limits.
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The OTU monitoring is based on the long-term daily tolerance level and the recovery rate
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is reduced.
Oxygen related information displayed by the dive computer is also designed to ensure that all
warnings and displays occur at the appropriate phases of a dive. For example, the following
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