Which physiological factor is essential for calculating decompression stops?

The physiological factor crucial for calculating decompression stops is tissue saturation levels of inert gases. During a dive, divers are exposed to increased pressures, which cause inert gases—primarily nitrogen and helium—to dissolve into bodily tissues. As a diver ascends, the surrounding pressure decreases, and these gases begin to come out of solution. If a diver ascends too quickly or does not perform adequate decompression stops, it can lead to bubbles forming in the tissues and bloodstream, which can result in decompression sickness.

The tissue saturation levels indicate how much inert gas is currently stored in the body's various tissues and allows for calculations that help to prevent decompression sickness by ensuring that the diver ascends to shallower depths at specified intervals (stops) to safely expel the excess gas. Understanding and tracking these saturation levels are fundamental in determining appropriate decompression schedules.