The minimum surface interval required to avoid stage decompression after a dive to 88 ft for 18 minutes, followed by a dive to 78 ft for 23 minutes is _____.

To determine the minimum surface interval required to avoid stage decompression after a specific dive profile, divers often refer to dive tables or dive computer calculations that take several factors into account, including the depth and duration of the dives, as well as the no-decompression limits.

In the scenario presented, the diver first descends to 88 feet for 18 minutes. This dive may place the diver into a certain subsection of tables that indicate how long the diver needs to wait at the surface in order to safely eliminate nitrogen absorbed during that dive. The second dive to 78 feet for 23 minutes further compounds the nitrogen loading because it occurs after the first dive, necessitating a longer surface interval to allow the body to expel the accumulated nitrogen without exceeding safe limits.

The correct answer indicates that the minimum surface interval required is 3 hours and 25 minutes. This amount of time allows the diver's body to off-gas any nitrogen absorbed from both dives thoroughly, thereby preventing the risk of decompression sickness, which can occur if the diver ascends too quickly or does not allow sufficient time at the surface to off-gas. Such careful consideration is critical in planning subsequent dives, especially when multiple deep or prolonged dives are undertaken closely together.

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