libbuhlmann

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. Description
3. Requirements
4. Usage
5. Development

Overview

Description

The Bühlmann decompression algorithm is a mathematical model (algorithm) of the way in which inert gases enter and leave the human body as the ambient pressure changes. It is used to create Bühlmann tables. These are decompression tables which allow divers to plan the depth and duration for dives and show decompression stops when necessary.

The algorithm was developed by Swiss physician Dr. Albert A. Bühlmann, who did research into decompression theory at the Laboratory of Hyperbaric Physiology at the University Hospital in Zürich, Switzerland. The results of Bühlmann's research that began in 1959 were published in a 1983 German book whose English translation was entitled Decompression-Decompression Sickness. The book was regarded as the most complete public reference on decompression calculations and was used soon after in dive computer algorithms.

Requirements

To compile

- Automake
- Autoconf

To test

- python
- matplotlib

Usage

STDIN

Here's an example of decompression calculation from STDIN:

➥  python test/gen_dive.py -d 20 -t 5 | src/dive 
   [...]

To display the result on a nice interactive graph:

➥  python test/gen_dive.py -d 20 -t 5 | src/dive | python tools/visoutput.py

remember to run the output visuatlisation on a Virtual python environment.

➥  cd tools && virtualenv venv && source venv/bin/activate
➥  pip install -r requirements.txt

Development

Feel free to contribute on GitHub.

References

Erik C. Baker - Understanding M-Values