What factor affects the selected level of conservatism during the dive planning process?

The selected level of conservatism during the dive planning process is significantly influenced by predisposing personal factors. These factors can include a diver's health status, experience level, and individual susceptibility to decompression sickness. For instance, if a diver has a history of diving-related issues, pre-existing medical conditions, or is relatively inexperienced, they may need to adopt a more conservative approach to diving. This can involve limiting depth, shortening bottom times, or incorporating additional safety stops to minimize the risk of decompression sickness.

While equipment quality, water temperature, and depth of the dive are important considerations in dive planning, they do not directly pertain to the diver's personal attributes and how they might adjust their dive plan accordingly. Personal factors are unique to each diver and play a crucial role in determining the level of risk they are willing to take on during their dives.