How do dive tables assist in air diving?

Dive tables play a critical role in air diving by providing divers with essential information to minimize the risk of decompression sickness and ensure safe diving practices. These tables are designed to help divers determine the maximum time they can safely spend at specific depths while accounting for the effects of nitrogen absorption in the body.

By using dive tables, divers can effectively calculate maximum dive durations, which inform them of how long they can remain underwater at various depths before needing to start their ascent. This is crucial because staying beyond the recommended time can lead to an increased risk of nitrogen buildup, which can cause decompression illness when ascending.

Additionally, dive tables also aid divers in planning safe ascent rates. After a dive, adhering to recommended ascent rates allows the body to expel excess nitrogen safely, reducing the chances of bubbles forming in the bloodstream or tissues, which can lead to serious health issues.

The other options do not address the primary purpose of dive tables in the context of air diving. While buoyancy control, visibility measurements, and water temperature are important aspects of diving, they are not the primary functions served by dive tables. Thus, the focus of dive tables is primarily on timing and ascent calculations rather than these other factors.