New "Ratio Deco for CCR" class

Gang

I wanted to fill you guys in with a little overview background of a new class we have and the correlating publication. It is "Ratio Deco for CCR divers."

As some of you may already know, Ratio deco is a simple "on the fly” decompression strategy that applies the best of all your knowledge and experience to develop a consistent decompression strategy that will work for all your diving needs including while on your CCR and then if you need to Bailout or dive Open Circuit. As a side note: You can consider open circuit as the bailout method for your CCR diving as long as you configure the CCR with the standardize UTD CCR Configuration and Gases. See UTD CCR Configuration discussion in the classroom.

The Ratio Deco rules are derived from a combination of the best of different theories, software profiles and ideologies, combined into one easy to use “on the fly” methodology. Ratio deco is applicable to any environment, with Open Circuit using standardized mixes, Semi Closed Circuit using standardized gases or Fully Closed Rebreather with a constant PPO2 set to 1.0 or higher.. This strategy should also be consistent through your range of diving and most importantly simple to use by the diver, especially during the dive and/or bailout; if any changes occur to the planned depth or bottom time the deco can easily be adjusted quickly. The ratio deco for CCR class is designed to teach these principles and is based on Standard Mixes (that become segments), Deep Stops, Oxygen Windows, free phase gases and dissolved gases. The in water times for decompression are similar to a Buhlmann profile set to a conservative factor of 30/90 and/or a V-planner profile (RGBM/VPM-B) set to a conservative factor of +2. You will find, however, that the shape is very different from anything produced by a computer software model or by a computer strapped to your arm. Ratio deco shape takes into account the best theory and practical experience as we know it today. The rules have evolved and will continue to evolve slightly as we learn more and more about decompression.

Dive Safe
Andrew