Dekompressiokäyrät

Dekompressiokäyrät, or decompression curves, are graphical representations used in diving to illustrate the relationship between depth and time for safe ascent. They are essential tools for divers to plan and execute dives without incurring decompression sickness, commonly known as "the bends."

These curves are derived from extensive research and physiological studies on how inert gases, primarily nitrogen, dissolve into and then release from the body's tissues under pressure. As a diver descends, nitrogen from the breathing gas is absorbed by the tissues. The deeper the dive and the longer the bottom time, the more nitrogen accumulates.

During ascent, the surrounding pressure decreases, causing the dissolved nitrogen to come out of solution. If the ascent is too rapid, the nitrogen can form bubbles in the tissues and bloodstream, leading to decompression sickness. Dekompressiokäyrät provide a visual guide showing the maximum allowable bottom time at a specific depth to ensure that the accumulated nitrogen can be safely released during a slow, controlled ascent, often involving mandatory decompression stops at specific depths.

Different diving gas mixtures, such as enriched air nitrox, have their own decompression curves because they contain less nitrogen. These curves are fundamental to dive planning and are typically found in dive computers, tables, and dive planning software. Understanding and adhering to the limits set by dekompressiokäyrät is crucial for diver safety.