What major factor should divers consider when planning deep dives?

Decompression limits are a critical consideration for divers planning deep dives because they directly relate to the safety and physiological well-being of the diver. As a diver descends deeper into the water, the pressure increases, which affects how nitrogen is absorbed by the body. At greater depths, longer durations, or both, divers risk experiencing decompression sickness if they ascend too quickly without allowing sufficient time for nitrogen to safely leave their bodies.

Understanding and adhering to decompression limits helps manage the risk of these complications, ensuring that divers ascend at a safe rate and potentially perform safety stops at prescribed depths to allow for proper off-gassing of nitrogen. This knowledge is vital for maintaining diver health and safety during and after deep dives. Planning according to these limits includes referencing dive tables or dive computers, which provide specific guidance based on the dive profile.

While factors such as water temperature, visibility conditions, and marine life encounters are important for overall dive planning, they do not pose the same level of immediate risk to diver safety that decompression limits do. Thus, prioritizing decompression limits is essential for preventing serious underwater hazards.