What settings are included in dive planning software?

In dive planning software, the level of conservatism is crucial as it allows divers to adjust their dive profiles to include additional safety margins. This setting relates to how aggressively the software calculates allowable nitrogen absorption based on the planned depth and time of a dive. A higher level of conservatism implies more conservative, potentially safer dive profiles, which might include shorter times at depth or a more gradual ascent. This feature helps divers account for individual factors such as previous dives, physical fitness, and any underlying medical conditions, ensuring that safety remains a priority during diving activities.

While the type of equipment used, number of divers, and environmental conditions all have their importance in dive planning, they are typically aspects that the software integrates but do not fundamentally drive the safety parameters as prominently as the level of conservatism does.