Deco Dive Planner
Buhlmann ZHL-16C with gradient factor visualization
Warning: This planner is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for proper decompression software, dive tables, or formal technical diving training. Never plan real dives with this tool alone. Always use validated planning software (MultiDeco, Shearwater Desktop, Subsurface) and carry redundant computers.
Dive Parameters
Profile
Bottom Gas
44
CCR Settings
Diluent
44
Travel Gas (required for hypoxic bottom gas)
--
Breathe travel gas from surface until bottom gas is safe (PPO2 ≥ 0.16)
Deco Gases (optional)
Gas Analysis at Depth
Gradient Factors
GF Low applies at the deepest stop; GF High at the surface. Lower = more conservative = more deco but greater safety margin.
Common Presets
Conservatism Level
Moderate-Conservative
A balanced approach. Adds meaningful safety margin without excessive deco.
Runtime
--
min
Deco
--
min
Deepest Stop
--
ft
CNS
--
%
Max END
--
ft
Decompression Schedule
| Depth | Stop | Runtime | Gas | PPO2 |
|---|
Dive Profile
Tissue Compartment Loading
How close each tissue is to its tolerated pressure limit
Body Map
Your Settings
GF 30/85
Deco: -- min (-- stops)
GF 100/100 (No Conservatism)
GF 100/100
Deco: -- min (-- stops)
Dive Playback
Understanding Gradient Factors
The Buhlmann ZHL-16C algorithm models your body as 16 theoretical tissue compartments, each absorbing and releasing inert gas at different rates. The fastest compartment (4-minute half-time) saturates quickly. Think blood. The slowest (635-minute half-time) represents tendons and fat.
Each compartment has an M-value, the maximum inert gas pressure it can theoretically tolerate at a given ambient pressure. Gradient Factors add conservatism by only using a percentage of the available gradient between ambient pressure and the M-value.
- GF Low controls how close to the M-value you get at your deepest stop. Lower = deeper first stop.
- GF High controls how close to the M-value you are at the surface. Lower = more shallow stop time.