When should divers particularly manage their dive times to avoid decompression sickness?

The correct answer highlights the importance of consistently managing dive times to avoid decompression sickness, specifically by staying within safe limits set out in dive tables. Decompression sickness, often referred to as "the bends," occurs when nitrogen absorbed in the body's tissues forms bubbles upon surfacing, which can lead to serious health issues. By avoiding maximum dive table limits, divers can mitigate the risks associated with ascending too quickly or spending excessive time at depths where the pressure is significantly greater.

This approach is crucial regardless of dive depth, as the dynamics of pressure change and nitrogen absorption can affect divers in various scenarios, not just during deep dives or when feeling fatigued. It emphasizes a proactive stance on safety by adhering to guidelines that have been established through extensive research in diving physiology.

Moreover, managing dive time is not just important at the end of a dive but throughout the entire dive profile. Awareness of pressure, time, and nitrogen loading levels is essential to preventing decompression sickness, making it a requirement that divers apply at all times during their diving activities.