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10. GLOSSARY
Altitude dive A dive made at an elevation greater than 700 m [2300 ft] above
sea-level.
Ascent rate The speed at which the diver ascends toward the surface.
ASC RATE Abbreviation for ascent rate.
Ascent time The minimum amount of time needed to reach the surface on a
decompression dive.
ASC TIME Abbreviation for ascent time.
Ceiling On a decompression dive the shallowest depth to which a diver
may ascend based on computer nitrogen load.
Ceiling Zone On a decompression dive the zone between the ceiling and the
ceiling plus 1.8 m [6 ft]. This depth range is displayed with the
two arrows pointing toward each other (the hourglass icon).
Compartment See Tissue group.
DCS Abbreviation for decompression sickness.
Decompression sickness
Any of a variety of maladies resulting either primarily or sec-
ondary from the formation of nitrogen bubbles in tissues or body
fluids, as a result of inadequately controlled decompression.
Commonly called bends or DCS.
