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Suunto D5 User Guide

Personal setting

Suunto Fused™ RGBM 2 algorithm provides 5 personal setting options (+2, +1, 0, -1, -2). These options refer to decompression models. +2 and +1 can be considered conservative, while -2 and -1 can be considered aggressive. 0 is the default setting and is neutral, for ideal conditions. Generally speaking, conservative means safer. In practice it means that a dive at a given depth is shorter due to the decompression obligation (the no decompression time is short).

Conservative also means that the time the diver needs to spend on decompression is longer. For recreational divers, a conservative model means less time in the water in order to avoid decompression requirements. For technical divers, however, conservative means more time in the water because of the longer decompression requirements imposed during ascent.

Aggressive models, on the other hand, increase the potential health risks of a dive. For recreational divers, an aggressive model allows more time at depth, but may significantly increase the risk of decompression sickness (DCS).

The default setting for the Suunto Fused™ RGBM and Fused™ RGBM 2 is to use a compromise (0 setting) between conservative and aggressive. With the personal setting, you can select gradually more conservative or more aggressive calculations.

There are several risk factors that can affect your susceptibility to DCS like your personal health and behavior. Such risk factors vary between divers, as well as from one day to another.

The personal risk factors which tend to increase the possibility of DCS include:

  • exposure to low temperature – water temperature less than 20 °C (68 °F)
  • below average physical fitness level
  • age, particularly over the age of 50
  • fatigue (from over exercising, lack of sleep, exhausting travel)
  • dehydration (affects circulation and may slow down off-gassing)
  • stress
  • tight fitting equipment (may slow down off-gassing)
  • obesity (BMI that is considered obese)
  • patent foramen ovale (PFO)
  • exercise before or after dive
  • strenuous activity during a dive (increases bloodflow and brings additional gas to tissues)
WARNING:

SET THE CORRECT PERSONAL SETTING! Whenever it is believed that risk factors that tend to increase the possibility of DCS exist, it is recommended that you use this option to make the calculations more conservative. Failure to select the correct personal setting will result in erroneous dive and planning data.

The five-step personal setting can be used to adjust the algorithm conservatism to fit your DCS susceptibility. You can find the setting under Dive settings » Parameters » Personal.

Personal levelExplanation
More aggressive (-2)Ideal conditions, excellent physical fitness, highly experienced with a lot of dives in the near past
Aggressive (-1)Ideal conditions, good physical fitness, well experienced with dives in the near past
Default (0)Ideal conditions (default value)
Conservative (+1)Some risk factors or conditions exist
More conservative (+2)Several risk factors or conditions exist
WARNING:

Personal adjustment setting 0, -1 or -2 causes a high risk of DCS, or other personal injury, and death.

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