Computation of Continuous Decompression Schedules for Deep Sea Dives

摘要

A digital computer program for calculating either continuous ascent or stop type decompression schedules is described, and examples of applications are given. The formulas used for continuous ascent were obtained analytically as solutions of differential equations relating the inert gas tension in the current critical tissue to the safe depth and with the actual depth kept equal to the safe depth at all times after an initial fast rise from the bottom to the safe depth. Thus the rate of decompression of the critical tissue controls the rate of ascent. Gas tensions in nine tissues having the same range of gas exchange half-times as have been used in EDU reports are calculated on a continuous basis, with the one having the deepest safe depth being the current critical tissue. The stop type ascent portion of the program may be used to generate a staged ascent using the same parameters for comparison with the continuous ascent schedule. The starting conditions for ascent may either be computed by the program from the dive history or be communicated to it as a subroutine in connection with another program. The program may be used either to prescribe ascent schedules or to analyze dives for which the history is known. (Author)