What tool is often used to assist divers in calculating dive limits and safety stops?

The use of the RDP, or Recreational Dive Planner, is essential for divers in calculating their dive limits and safety stops. The RDP is a systematic chart that allows divers to determine their allowable bottom time at various depths while taking into account factors like residual nitrogen from previous dives. This is crucial for planning multiple dives within a day and ensuring that divers avoid the risk of decompression sickness by adhering to the no-decompression limits.

In contrast, a dive computer continually calculates dive times, depths, and no-decompression limits in real-time, making it a useful tool for managing diving safety. However, the original question specifically asks about a tool often used for manual calculations, which the RDP excels at.

Other tools like pressure gauges primarily measure air pressure in the tank, providing important data for remaining dive time but not specifically for depth and time limits. A buoyancy control device is used to assist with buoyancy and surface floatation, not for calculating dive limits. Understanding how to effectively use the RDP not only enhances dive planning but also promotes safer diving practices overall.