For a deep diver specialty, what is the minimum surface interval required after a 110 foot dive for 15 minutes followed by a 75 foot dive for 23 minutes?

In deep diving practices, surface intervals are crucial for allowing any absorbed nitrogen from the dives to off-gas and to minimize the risk of decompression sickness. The bottom times and depths of the dives in this question are significant factors in determining the necessary surface interval.

For a dive to 110 feet for 15 minutes, the no-decompression limits and the nitrogen uptake at that depth will determine the first part of the surface interval. After completing this dive, the diver moves to a subsequent dive at a shallower depth (75 feet) for a longer duration (23 minutes). The increased time at a depth of 75 feet compounds the nitrogen exposure from the first dive and necessitates careful consideration of the total nitrogen exposure when calculating surface intervals.

The appropriate calculation typically involves using dive tables or a dive computer to assess the cumulative nitrogen loading and the minimum recommended surface interval. Diving organizations often provide guidelines that recommend surface intervals based on the depth and time spent at depth.

In this scenario, the correct answer accounts for the combined effects of these two dives and adheres to the established standards to ensure diver safety. The calculated surface interval of 2 hours and 10 minutes provides a sufficient period for the body to off-gas nitrogen and is based on the