[Hellvet]

Thanks for the opinions so far - don't worry - i'm not going to sea dive anyway before i see Dr Wilmshurst next week, but i'm just trying to see if there is any theory behind these opinions as to "padding" my stops, cos if i can keep diving till i get it fixed i obviously want to minimise the risks of getting bent!

In answer to a previous question i am currently a BSAC ocean diver with a no stop dive limit and a depth limit to 20m, plus a medical certificate restriction to 20m, nitrox on air tables, slow ascents, and 1dive/day. The DDRC set these limits and have assumed a shunt when setting them. I am training as a Sports diver, but am not going to do any of the training which involves exertion, until cleared to do so!

I have been recommended by various people to do things such as no exertion after diving, avoid carrying kit, breathe nitrox for as long as possible on the surface, don't push dive times, don't get cold, and pad my stops.

No-one seems to want to give me any theory as to how and why to pad my stops though, other than saying its a good idea - my feeling is that i would stay as long as possible at my "ordinary" stops, extending their length rather than adding extra stops at deeper depth, but i'm not sure why or if this is any better than adding in deep stops?!

I know i will continue to off-gas at the surface, and better if i continue to breathe nitrox, but am just wondering if its better to add a few deeper stops to assist with off gassing by giving a less steep bubble gradient on the ascent, by slowing the ascent, or to increase the time spent off gassing at each depth.

I am not going to dive in the sea until i see Dr Wilmshurst anyway as its only another week, and i'm ok waiting now i can at least dive in the pool! Hopefully he'll have some advice as to whether one is better than the other...

Thanks anyway,
Helen