Sports Diver Theory - ST4 - Deeper Diving

Sports Diver Theory

ST4 - Deeper Diving

Lesson Objectives

This lesson develops previous knowledge gained from the Ocean Diver Course and covers how nitrogen affects divers from two aspects, nitrogen narcosis and decompression, and considerations when undertaking deeper diving. This lesson includes decompression stop dive planning, using the BSAC tables and computers. An understanding of the working knowledge of tables will assist in understanding how computers, using their algorithms, can also be used for planning and tracking decompression requirements

Achievement Targets

At the end of this lesson students will:

• Understand that managing the effects of nitrogen covers two areas: nitrogen narcosis and decompression
• Understand that an increase in ambient pressure increases the partial pressures of the gases breathed and effects on the body
• Understand the effects, signs and symptoms of nitrogen narcosis and how they increase with depth
• Review nitrogen and decompression and why decompression stops may be required
• Understand how to plan decompression stop dives using the BSAC tables
• Understand how to use computers and how, in being able to constantly update nitrogen tracking on a dive, they can give up to the minute information regarding decompression stop requirements but dive planning is still required
• Understand that in broadening diving experience and travelling to different sites or countries, there is a need to plan diving by using the altitude/atmospheric pressure chart and Transfer tables
• Understand effects of travelling on computers
• Consider safety margins for using either tables or computers when diving

Equipment Required

The following items will be needed:

• Copies of the BSAC 88 Tables and BSAC Nitrox Tables to allow students to work with the Instructor on decompression stop dive planning exercises and use of the Atmospheric/Pressure Chart and Transfer Table. A dive computer to demonstrate read out display information