PADI Divemaster Certification Practice Exam

True or False: Each compartment in a Haldanean model is assigned a halftime for inert gas absorption and release.

1. True

2. False

3. Depends on the type of gas

4. Only in deep dives

The correct answer is: True

In the Haldane model of decompression, each compartment represents a different tissue type in the body, and these compartments are assigned specific halftime values for the absorption and release of inert gases, such as nitrogen. The halftime refers to the time required for a tissue compartment to absorb or eliminate approximately 50% of the gas it contains. This concept is essential for understanding how divers manage the risks of decompression sickness (DCS) during ascent and when re-surfacing from a dive. By assigning specific halftime values to each compartment, dive tables and computer algorithms can predict how quickly inert gases are taken up during descent and released during ascent. This model allows for safer dive planning and the formulation of decompression schedules. Therefore, the assertion that each compartment has a halftime for inert gas absorption and release is accurate within the context of the Haldanean model.