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tables or equivalent computer settings. When divers set their computers for nitrox with the intention of extending bottom time, this safety margin is lost. The use of nitrox comes with unique safety concerns such as oxygen toxicity and requires proper training.

An additional factor that may impact the incidence of DCS is poor hydration. Hydration has gained attention for its potential role in reducing DCS risk and for its adjunctive use in medical management (use of IV fluids along with oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen therapy). While hydration alone does not make up for or counteract provocative dive profiles, suboptimal hydration status — often associated with alcohol intake and hot climates — may be associated with increased DCS risk.

Mental Preparation

Mental preparation is critical for safe diving. Fear, apprehension, fatigue and severe anxiety can compromise

decision-making abilities. If you aren’t feeling up to diving or if the conditions or goal of the dive frighten you, don’t go.

Dive Planning

With the widespread use of dive computers, dive planning has largely become a lost art. While these incredible little machines do a lot to keep us informed underwater, it is important to remember that the limits they impose are based on mathematical algorithms that have not been validated by experimental research. In addition, each of us will have a varying degree of susceptibility to DCS throughout our lifetimes and from one dive to the next, none of which is accounted for by standard tables or computers. Therefore, the no-decompression limits (and decompression instructions in technical-diving computers) should be viewed as guidelines and not representative of absolute or established boundaries that are “safe” so long as they aren’t violated.

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A thorough buddy check before every dive reduces the risk of forgetting important equipment

and serves as a reminder to adjust gear for comfort and security.