What feature must a jacket-style buoyancy compensator have for decompression diving?

A jacket-style buoyancy compensator must include D-rings for attaching stage cylinders when engaging in decompression diving. D-rings provide a secure attachment point for extra tank stages that divers often use during decompression stops. These stage cylinders contain either additional air supply or a different gas mixture suited for the phase of the dive, which enables a safe and controlled ascent.

Prioritizing the D-rings as a feature is essential in decompression diving, as the use of multiple gas mixtures and staged decompression are common practices to avoid decompression sickness. This means divers must have a reliable way to secure their additional tanks, making D-rings an integral part of their equipment.

While extra pockets can be useful for carrying additional gear and built-in weights can help in buoyancy adjustment, they do not specifically address the requirement for safely managing additional gas supplies during decompression dives. Integrated dive computers are valuable instruments for monitoring diving parameters, but they do not directly relate to the physical attachment and management of equipment necessary for successful decompression diving.