After a 2:45 surface interval as a group D diver, what is your new group designation?

To determine the new group designation after a specific surface interval, divers refer to the tables or guidelines that outline how surface intervals affect a diver's group status. In this case, a surface interval of 2 hours and 45 minutes allows for the off-gassing of nitrogen that was absorbed during the previous dive.

For a diver grouped in category D, the purpose of the surface interval is to minimize the risk of decompression sickness when beginning the next dive. The time duration between dives is significant because it directly influences how nitrogen is released from the body. Based on typical dive tables, a surface interval of 2 hours and 45 minutes usually allows a diver to move to a group designation that indicates less residual nitrogen, making it safer for subsequent dives.

In this particular situation, a group D diver with a surface interval of this duration effectively reduces their nitrogen load enough to transition to group B, demonstrating an improvement in their diving status. Group B reflects a reduced risk associated with earlier nitrogen saturation. Hence, after such a surface interval, a diver initially classified as group D would successfully be reclassified to group B, illustrating the effectiveness of a proper surface interval in managing decompression practices.