Cutting tables

[Essroc123]

Hello all,

When I hear the term, "cutting the tables" before a dive, what are people talking about?

Keep in mind guys that I am not certified yet, I am genuinely asking.

Safe Dives,

Will Johnson

 

[scubajoe]

I have never heard the term. But by posting here I'm sure I'll learn something.

Joe

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Before divers perform a dive involving exposures beyond no-decompression limits, they must plan their dive. One part of dive planning involves establishing the decompression schedule that will be used. In turn, this involves selecting which gasses will be used, at which depths, etc.

Many divers use software programs to assist them to derive the tables they will use on the dive. They enter the variables of the dive plan; the depth, duration, activity, degree of conservatism desired, etc., and the software will generate a set of tables indicating a decompression schedule. More than one set of tables will often be generated, typically other tables might indicate 'same depth but ten minutes longer than planned', or 'same time but 10' deeper than planned'. These are contingency decompression schedules for use if something interferes with the baseline plan.

This generation of different tables, which are then laminated and carried with the divers during the dive, may be known as 'cutting tables'.

One example of such software may be found here:
http://www.gue.com/decoplanner/

 

[Essroc123]

Thank you for the information doc.

 

[Atticus]

Excellent response from Doc Intrepid. I'd just like to add that there are a number of free / inexpensive programs that make tables. One common favorite is V-Planner which can be located at http://www.hhssoftware.com/v-planner/.