What is the maximum minutes of decompression allowed in the Decompression Diving program?

In the Decompression Diving program, the maximum allowable decompression time is 15 minutes. This limit is established based on the physiological understanding of nitrogen absorption and elimination in the body during and after dives.

Decompression stops are essential for allowing the dissolved nitrogen that has accumulated in divers' tissues during ascent to safely off-gas, thereby preventing decompression sickness, also known as "the bends."

Limiting decompression time to 15 minutes helps in planning safe dives while also ensuring that divers can adhere to these safety protocols under various dive profiles. Exceeding this duration could increase the risk of complications from nitrogen narcosis or other related diving disorders, which is why the strict limit is enforced in the program. Keeping the decompression within established protocols ensures the safety and well-being of divers as they ascend from greater depths.