What is the role of surfacing intervals in relation to Nitrox diving?

Surfacing intervals play a crucial role in allowing the body to off-gas absorbed nitrogen before the next dive. When a diver ascends from a dive, particularly when using enriched air nitrox, nitrogen absorbed by body tissues needs to be released safely to mitigate the risk of decompression sickness. This process takes time, and surfacing intervals create a necessary pause after a dive, giving the body the opportunity to eliminate the dissolved nitrogen.

During this time, the diver can allow their tissues to return to normal levels of nitrogen saturation. This is particularly important in Nitrox diving because although using nitrox reduces the amount of nitrogen absorbed in comparison to regular air, careful management of surfacing intervals still helps to ensure that divers remain within safe limits for subsequent dives, especially when multiple dives are planned. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the importance of these intervals in managing nitrogen levels effectively and maintaining diver safety.