To minimize the risk of decompression sickness, divers should adhere to what guideline?

To minimize the risk of decompression sickness, divers should adhere to the guideline of no decompression limits. This guideline is designed to allow divers to ascend to the surface without performing decompression stops, thus reducing the likelihood of nitrogen bubbles forming in the bloodstream, which can lead to decompression sickness.

No decompression limits indicate the maximum time a diver can spend at a certain depth without needing to perform staged decompression during ascent. By staying within these limits, divers can safely return to the surface without accumulating excessive nitrogen in their tissues, which is a primary cause of decompression sickness.

While shorter dive times and regular surface intervals can also help mitigate risks, they serve as complementary practices rather than the fundamental guideline concerning decompression. Low-altitude ascents, on the other hand, are not directly related to decompression limits; divers must prioritize adhering to no decompression limits during their dives to minimize the risk effectively.