Page 55 - AlertDiver_Winter2013
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or delayed following dives. If obligatory exercise such as stair
climbing in full gear is required, the hazard can be lowered up
front by reducing the stress of the dive. This can be done by
reducing the dive depth, minimizing exercise during the descent
and bottom phases, maintaining light exercise (two or three
times resting effort) during the ascent and stop phases and/or
prolonging stop times. The impact of postdive exercise can be
reduced by delaying the climb out, making it a slow climb out
or taking multiple (slow and easy) trips to recover gear.
Safety may also be increased by maintaining a high level
of physical fitness. Optimal body composition could reduce
the amount of lead that had to be carried to achieve neutral
buoyancy and, in the case of the obligatory postdive climb out,
make the effort a relatively small fraction of work capacity to
reduce the effective strain.
Ultimately, the best way to reduce decompression stress on
any dive is to manage all the contributing factors to push the
final balance well onto the side of safety. This may not initially
be as attractive as a simple answer, but the challenge of learning
and managing the host of potential risk factors can make diving
both mentally and physically stimulating.
AD
— Neal W. Pollock, Ph.D.
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