7.3. Repetitive dive planning

The Suunto HelO2 includes a dive planner that allows you to review the no-decompression limits on a subsequent dive, taking the residual nitrogen loading of previous dives into consideration. The dive plan mode is not meant for technical dive planning which the Suunto Dive Planner PC software is meant for. However, the dive plan mode can be used to plan short recreational dives.

The PC software takes the residual inert gas of the previous dives into consideration when the dive profile is downloaded from the dive computer. It is also possible to check how the planned air consumption corresponded to the actual air consumption. The Dive Planning mode is explained in Section 7.5.1. Dive Planning mode (PLANnodec).

7.4. Flying after diving

In DIVE mode, the no-fly time is shown in the center window next to the airplane image. In TIME mode, the airplane image is shown in the top left corner.The no-fly time and the surface time are shown in TIME mode as well. Flying or traveling to a higher altitude should be avoided at any time when the computer is counting down the no-fly time.

The no-fly time is always at least 12 hours, or equivalent to the so-called desaturation time (if longer than 12 hours). For desaturation times lower than 70 minutes, no no-fly time is given.

In the Permanent Error mode and GAUGE mode, the no-fly time is 48 hours. The Divers Alert Network (DAN) recommends the following on no-fly times:

A minimum surface interval of 12 hours would be required in order to be reasonably assured a diver will remain symptom free upon ascent to altitude in a commercial jetliner (altitude up to 2,400 m/8,000 ft)

Divers who plan to make daily, multiple dives for several days, or make dives that require decompression stops, should take special precautions and wait for an extended interval beyond 12 hours before a flight. Further, the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) suggests divers using standard air cylinders and exhibiting no symptoms of decompression illness wait 24 hours after their last dive to fly in an aircraft with cabin pressure up to 2,400 m/8,000 ft. The only two exceptions to this recommendation are:

If a diver has less than 2 hours total accumulated dive time in the last 48 hours, a 12 hour surface interval before flying is recommended

Following any dive that required a decompression stop, flying should be delayed for at least 24 hours, and if possible, for 48 hours

Suunto recommends that flying is avoided until all the DAN and UHMS guidelines, as well as the dive computer’s no-fly conditions, are satisfied

7.5. PLAN mode

The PLAN mode includes a dive planner (PLANnodec).

7.5.1. Dive Planning mode (PLANnodec)

The Dive Planning mode displays no-decompression times for a new dive, taking into ac- count the effects of previous dives. No-decompression times are calculated by using the bottom gas.

When entering the PLANnodec mode, the display first briefly shows the remaining desat- uration time and no-decompression time at the depth of 9 m/30 ft before going into plan mode.

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Suunto HELO2 manual Repetitive dive planning, Flying after diving, Plan mode, Dive Planning mode PLANnodec