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Suunto D5 User Guide

Dive terms

TermExplanation
Altitude diveA dive made at an elevation greater than 300 m (1000 ft) above sea level.
Ascent rateThe speed at which the diver ascends toward the surface.
Ascent timeThe minimum amount of time needed to reach the surface on a decompression stop dive.
CeilingOn a decompression stop dive, the shallowest depth to which a diver may ascend based on computed inert gas load.
CNSCentral nervous system toxicity. Toxicity is caused by oxygen. Can cause a variety of neurological symptoms. The most important of which is an epileptic-like convulsion which can cause a diver to drown.
CNS%Central nervous system toxicity limit fraction.
CompartmentSee Tissue group.
DCSDecompression sickness/illness. Any of a variety of maladies resulting either directly or indirectly from the formation of nitrogen bubbles in tissues or body fluids, as a result of inadequately controlled decompression.
DecompressionTime spent at a decompression stop, or range, before surfacing, to allow absorbed nitrogen to escape naturally from tissues.
Decompression rangeOn a decompression stop dive, the depth range between the floor and the ceiling within which a diver must stop for some time during ascent.
Dive seriesA group of repetitive dives between which the dive computer indicates some nitrogen loading is present. When nitrogen loading reaches zero the dive computer deactivates.
Dive timeElapsed time between leaving the surface to descend, and returning to the surface at the end of a dive.
FloorThe deepest depth during a decompression stop dive at which decompression takes place.
MODMaximum operating depth of a breathing gas is the depth at which the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) of the gas mix exceeds a safe limit.
Multi level diveA single or repetitive dive that includes time spent at various depths and therefore has no decompression limits that are not determined solely by the maximum depth reached.
Nitrox (Nx)In sports diving, refers to any mix with a higher fraction of oxygen than standard air.
No decoNo decompression stop time. The maximum amount of time a diver may remain at a particular depth without having to make decompression stops during the subsequent ascent.
No decompression diveAny dive which permits a direct, uninterrupted ascent to the surface at any time.
No dec timeAbbreviation for no decompression time limit.
OTUOxygen tolerance unit. Used to measure the whole-body-toxicity, caused by prolonged exposure to high oxygen partial pressures. The most common symptoms are irritation in the lungs, a burning sensation in the chest, coughing and reduction of the vital capacity.
O2%Oxygen percentage or oxygen fraction in the breathing gas. Standard air has 21% oxygen.
pO2Partial pressure of oxygen. Limits the maximum depth to which the nitrox mixture can be safely used. The maximum partial pressure limit for enriched air diving is 1.4 bar. The contingency partial pressure limit is 1.6 bar. Dives beyond this limit risk immediate oxygen toxicity.
Repetitive diveAny dive whose decompression time limits are affected by residual nitrogen absorbed during previous dives.
Residual nitrogenThe amount of excess nitrogen remaining in a diver after one or more dives.
RGBMReduced gradient bubble model. Modern algorithm for tracking both dissolved and free gas in divers.
ScubaSelf-contained underwater breathing apparatus.
Surface timeElapsed time between surfacing from a dive and beginning a descent for the subsequent dive.
Tissue groupTheoretical concept used to model bodily tissues for the construction of decompression tables or calculations.

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