Chapter 9 in the dive manual covers which topic?

• A. Ice and Cold Water Diving Operations
• B. Air Decompression
• C. Underwater Physiology and Diving Disorders
• D. Dive Medicine and Recompression Chamber Operations

Answer: (B)

Understanding how to manage ascent and off-gassing when breathing air is the focus here. Air Decompression covers the theory and the practical steps for planning and executing decompression stops, including no-decompression limits, ascent rates, and the duration of each stop using tables or a dive computer. This is what you rely on to prevent inert gas buildup from becoming decompression sickness as you return to the surface.

The reason this fits Chapter 9 best is that it centers on safe decompression procedures with air as the breathing gas—the core skill of decompression planning. The other topics are about different realms: ice and cold water diving addresses special conditions and gear for cold environments; underwater physiology and diving disorders covers how the body responds to pressure and common ailments; dive medicine and recompression chamber operations deals with medical treatment and chamber use. So, the chapter about managing decompression with air is the one that directly aligns with planning and executing safe decompression during a dive.