What should divers consider about residual nitrogen time (RNT) during dive planning?

When planning dives, residual nitrogen time (RNT) is a crucial factor because it indicates safety requirements for any subsequent dives. After a diver ascends to the surface and completes a dive, nitrogen levels in the body do not immediately normalize. Nitrogen absorbed during the dive takes time to be eliminated, and this residual nitrogen affects the diver's ability to safely conduct additional dives within a specific timeframe.

Because residual nitrogen can pose a risk of decompression sickness (DCS) if a diver descends again before sufficient time has passed for the nitrogen levels to decrease, understanding RNT begins to inform critical decisions about diving afterward. For instance, divers should follow established no-decompression limits and ensure appropriate surface intervals before undertaking a new dive.

Considering this, RNT is essential in dive planning to ensure safety and adherence to guidelines that prevent DCS. The focus is squarely on understanding the implications of nitrogen absorption in the body and how it affects diving safely rather than the rate of ascent or the impact of buoyancy or water currents.