Gas density tables are an important source of safety information for deeper diving (>40m).
The BSAC gas density tables show in tabular form:
- Breathing gas densities for a variety of gas mixtures including air, nitrox, trimix and heliox at depths of 5m increments from 35 metres to 130 metres
- Equivalent narcotic depths (END) for each gas mixture and depth increment
There are three tables in total. Two tables are for open circuit gas mixtures. One is based upon a partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) of 1.4 bar. This table is for use by open-circuit divers choosing safe dive gas. The other open-circuit table is based on a PO2 of 1.6 bar and is intended for use by open-circuit divers choosing accelerated decompression gases and rebreather divers choosing open-circuit bailout gases.
Each table shows a range of breathing gas mixtures for each depth increment that come within the safe gas density parameters for that depth. Each table also has a much smaller table of “ideal” gas mixtures for the depth increments.
