DECO Theory
Decompression while diving
The topic that always concerns us the most is the deco theory: What happens to the inert gases in our bodies when we dive? How can we surface in a way that minimizes the risk of DCS? What calculation models are there? How do you use gradient factors? Is it better to stop deeper or shallower? What do we know about individual risk factors?
We discuss all these topics in great detail in our book “Decompression Theory – Decompression Diving”, published by Zeisig Verlag in 2025.
On the following pages, we want to make a small excerpt of the content available to the general public in a highly summarized form.
We also offer a complete decompression theory course. The course material includes some interactive tools as well as more in-depth explanations, and you always have a contact person for questions. In addition, at least once a year there is a series of live decotheory webinars online, with recordings of the last round in between.
We, the Punkfishes Dominik Elsässer and Veronika Sievers, wish you lots of fun reading and diving!
Why decompression theory?
Why are we actually interested in this topic? What is the risk of DCS during normal dives?
Saturation and desaturation
How does the body saturate and desaturate? What are the physical laws behind these processes? How do you model limits for diving from this? What are M values?
Gradient factors
How to modify saturation models?
What limits describe our risk when diving? How can we personalize them?
