Dive Education & Calculations
Master the science of scuba diving with interactive education, calculations, and our built-in AI diving assistant
Boyle's Law - Pressure & Volume
As a diver descends, water pressure increases and air spaces in the body compress. At 10m depth, pressure doubles from 1 to 2 atmospheres.
Dalton's Law - Gas Mixing
The total pressure of a gas mixture equals the sum of partial pressures. Critical for understanding nitrox and trimix safety limits.
Henry's Law - Gas Absorption
Gas dissolves into liquids proportional to pressure. This principle explains nitrogen absorption and decompression sickness risk.
Archimedes' Principle - Buoyancy
An object immersed in fluid experiences upward force equal to the weight of displaced fluid. Essential for neutral buoyancy control.
Interactive Pressure Simulator
Recreational Dive Planner (RDP)
- Fixed depth profiles
- Conservative calculations
- No equipment failure risk
- Less flexible
Dive Computers
- Real-time calculations
- Multi-level dive support
- Personalized profiles
- Equipment dependency
No Decompression Limits (NDL)
The maximum time you can spend at a given depth without required decompression stops. Varies by depth, previous dives, and safety factors.
Air (21% O₂)
- MOD: 56m (recreational)
- Best for: Basic recreational diving
- Pros: Widely available, cheap
- Cons: Narcosis at depth
Nitrox (EANx)
- O₂: 22-40% (typically 32%)
- Best for: Extended bottom time
- Pros: Longer NDL, less fatigue
- Cons: Reduced MOD
Trimix
- Mix: O₂/He/N₂
- Best for: Deep technical diving
- Pros: Reduces narcosis
- Cons: Complex, expensive
PPO₂ Safety Limits
1.4 ATA: Maximum for working portion of dive | 1.6 ATA: Emergency maximum | Above 1.6: Risk of oxygen toxicity
What Causes Decompression Sickness?
During diving, nitrogen dissolves into body tissues under pressure. Ascending too quickly causes nitrogen to form bubbles, leading to decompression sickness (DCS).
Safety Stops & Deep Stops
- Safety Stop: 3-5 minutes at 5m (15ft) - recommended for all dives
- Deep Stop: Half maximum depth for 1-2 minutes - technical diving practice
- Mandatory Stops: Required when exceeding No Decompression Limits
Ascent Rates
Maximum: 18m/min (60ft/min) | Recommended: 9m/min (30ft/min) | Final 6m: 3m/min (10ft/min)
DCS Symptoms
- • Joint pain ("bends")
- • Skin rash/itching
- • Fatigue/weakness
- • Neurological symptoms
- • Breathing difficulties
Setting Dive Objectives
- Maximum depth and bottom time
- Entry and exit points
- Underwater navigation plan
- Emergency procedures
Gas Planning
Rule of Thirds:
- 1/3 for outbound journey
- 1/3 for return journey
- 1/3 for emergency reserve
Turn Pressure Calculation
Formula:
Turn Pressure = Starting Pressure - (Starting Pressure ÷ 3)
Example: 200 bar - (200 ÷ 3) = 133 bar turn pressure
NDL Time Limits
| Depth | NDL Time |
|---|---|
| 18m (60ft) | 56 min |
| 24m (80ft) | 29 min |
| 30m (100ft) | 20 min |
| 36m (120ft) | 14 min |
Out-of-Air Protocols
- Stay Calm - Don't panic
- Signal Buddy - Cut throat signal
- Share Air - Use alternate air source
- Ascend Together - Maintain contact
- Safety Stop - If air permits
Emergency Swimming Ascent (CESA)
Last Resort Only:
- Exhale continuously while ascending
- Look up and swim toward surface
- Ascend no faster than your smallest bubbles
- Keep airway open (say "Ahhhh")
Equipment Emergencies
- Mask Flood: Look up, press top, exhale through nose
- Regulator Loss: Retrieve, clear, or use backup
- BCD Inflation: Disconnect inflator, vent manually
- Weight Loss: Use buoyancy control, ascend slowly
Emergency Numbers
- DAN Emergency: +1-919-684-9111
- Local Emergency: 911/112
- Coast Guard: Channel 16 VHF
Marine Ecosystem Protection
Coral reefs support 25% of marine life despite covering less than 1% of ocean floor. They're extremely fragile and take decades to recover from damage.
Buoyancy Control for Conservation
- Never touch, kick, or stand on coral
- Maintain neutral buoyancy at all times
- Keep fins well above the reef
- Control your movements and equipment
Leave No Trace Principles
- Take only pictures, leave only bubbles
- Don't collect marine life or artifacts
- Properly dispose of all waste
- Use reef-safe sunscreen
Protected Areas
- • Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
- • No-take zones
- • Seasonal restrictions
- • Species protection laws
- • Cultural heritage sites
Climate Impact
Ocean temperatures rising 0.6°C since 1970. Help by reducing carbon footprint and supporting conservation efforts.