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7.2. REDUCED GRADIENT BUBBLE MODEL,
SUUNTO RGBM
The Suunto Reduced Gradient Bubble Model (RGBM) is a modern algorithm for
predicting both dissolved and free gas in the tissues and blood of divers. It was
developed in a co-operation between Suunto and Bruce R. Wienke BSc, MSc.
PhD. It is based on both laboratory experiments and diving data, including data
from DAN.
It is a signifi cant advance on the classical Haldane models, which do not predict
free gas (microbubbles). It incorporates consistency with real physical laws for gas
kinetics. The advantage of Suunto RGBM is additional safety through its ability to
adapt to a wide variety of situations. Suunto RGBM addresses a number of diving
circumstances outside the range of just dissolved gas models by:
• Monitoring continuous multiday diving
• Computing closely spaced repetitive diving
• Reacting to a dive deeper than the previous dive
• Adapting for rapid ascents which produce high micro-bubble (silent-
bubble) build-up.
