Decompression
Time spent at a decompression stop, or range, before surfacing, to allow
absorbed nitrogen to escape naturally from tissues
Decompression range
On a decompression stop dive, the depth range between the floor and
the ceiling within which a diver must stop for some time during ascent.
Decompression 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 inad-
equately controlled decompression. Commonly called "the bends" or
"DCI".
Dive series
A 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 time
Elapsed time between leaving the surface to descend, and returning to
the surface at the end of a dive.
ΔP
Delta P, describing the Cylinder Pressure drop during the dive; the differ-
ence in cylinder pressure between the beginning and end of a dive.
EAD
Abbreviation for equivalent air depth.
EAN
Abbreviation for enriched air nitrox.
Enriched air nitrox
Also called nitrox or Enriched Air = EANx. Air that has some oxygen ad-
ded. Standard mixes are EAN32 (NOAA Nitrox I = NN I) and EAN36
(NOAA Nitrox II = NN II).
Equivalent air depth
Nitrogen partial pressure equivalent table.
Floor
The deepest depth during a decompression stop dive at which decom-
pression takes place.
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