You cannot see nitrogen, but you can manage it with a handful of good habits that quickly become second nature. Decompression sickness is almost entirely preventable with conservative diving, and the rules are not complicated. They are the same rules our PADI instructors follow on every one of the 29 dive sites around Isla Fuerte, whether it is a shallow reef or a deeper wall.
The golden rules
Keep these five habits on every single dive and you stack the odds heavily in your favor:
- Ascend no faster than 18 meters per minute, slower than your smallest bubbles
- Make a 3-minute safety stop at 5 meters at the end of each dive
- Stay comfortably within your dive computer's no-decompression limits
- Keep a generous air reserve so you never rush your ascent
- Take a long surface interval between dives to off-gas nitrogen
None of these cost you anything. They simply turn a good dive into a safe one.
Plan the deepest part first
A simple habit that keeps your nitrogen load low is to visit the deepest point early in the dive and then work your way shallower. This lets you off-gas gradually while you are still underwater enjoying the reef.
On a multi-dive day we also order the sites sensibly: the deeper profile, such as Bushnell, goes first, and the shallow, relaxed reefs come later in the day when your body already carries more residual nitrogen.
Extra caution when your body needs it
Some factors make you more susceptible, so add a margin of safety when any of them apply:
- Being tired, dehydrated or having slept poorly
- Feeling cold, even in our warm Caribbean water
- Recent hard exercise or a hangover
- Being older, carrying extra weight or recovering from illness
On those days, dive a little shallower, a little shorter, and rest more between dives.
Never fly too soon
Flying lowers the cabin pressure, which can pull residual nitrogen back into bubbles. Wait at least 18 hours after a single dive and 24 hours after multiple dives or several days of diving before you fly or drive to high altitude.
Plan your trip so your last dive is not the morning of your flight. If you are visiting us in Isla Fuerte, our team will happily help you time your final dive and check courses and dives against your travel plans.
Important
This is general educational information, not medical advice. Always complete the medical questionnaire honestly, dive within your training and, if in doubt, consult a diving physician or contact DAN (Divers Alert Network). In an emergency in Colombia, the nearest hyperbaric chamber is in Coveñas.
