Decompression illness
Any of a variety of maladies resulting either directly or indirectly from the
formation of nitrogen bubbles in tissues or body fluids, as a result of inad-
equately controlled decompression. Commonly called "the bends" or
"DCI".
Dive series
A group of repetitive dives between which the dive computer indicates
some nitrogen loading is present. When nitrogen loading reaches zero
the dive computer deactivates.
Dive time
Elapsed time between leaving the surface to descend, and returning to
the surface at the end of a dive.
EAD
Abbreviation for equivalent air depth.
EAN
Abbreviation for enriched air nitrox.
Enriched air nitrox
Also called nitrox or Enriched Air = EANx. Air that has some oxygen ad-
ded. Standard mixes are EAN32 (NOAA Nitrox I = NN I) and EAN36
(NOAA Nitrox II = NN II).
Equivalent air depth
Nitrogen partial pressure equivalent table.
Floor
The deepest depth during a decompression stop dive at which decom-
pression takes place.
Half time
After a change in ambient pressure, the amount of time required for the
partial pressure of nitrogen in a theoretical compartment to go half way
from its previous value to saturation at the new ambient pressure.
He%
Helium percentage or helium fraction in the breathing gas.
Heliox
A breathing gas mix of helium and oxygen.
MOD
The maximum operating depth of a breathing gas is the depth at which
the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) of the gas mix exceeds a safe limit.
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