What is the purpose of diving tables?

Diving tables are essential tools used primarily for planning dives and managing time/depth limits. They provide a structured framework that helps divers understand how long they can safely remain at various depths while avoiding the risk of decompression sickness. By using diving tables, divers can calculate their no-decompression limits, which helps ensure they ascend safely without spending unnecessary time at deeper depths that could lead to increased nitrogen absorption in the body.

The use of diving tables allows divers to plan their dive profiles ahead of time, taking into account factors such as the depth of the dive and the amount of time spent at that depth. This planning is crucial for safety, as it provides guidelines that help divers avoid exceeding their limits, thereby reducing the risk of potential accidents while underwater.

Other options refer to aspects that are important in diving but do not directly relate to the primary purpose of diving tables. While maintenance of equipment, record-keeping for insurance, and evaluating physical fitness are vital components of dive safety and preparedness, they do not encompass the main role of diving tables, which centers specifically around the planning and monitoring of dive activities in relation to depth and time constraints.