When should divers be expected to remove their equipment after surfacing to aid in their recompression?

Divers should be expected to remove their equipment within 3 and a half minutes after surfacing to effectively aid in their recompression. This timeframe is critical for preventing complications related to decompression sickness. The initial period after surfacing is a sensitive time when the body begins to off-gas nitrogen that has been absorbed during the dive. Delaying the removal of equipment can lead to increased retention of inert gases, potentially exacerbating the risk of decompression illness.

The recommended duration aligns with established safety protocols that emphasize rapid degearment for optimal safety. Adhering to this guideline helps to ensure that divers are not only safely transitioned back to the surface environment but also able to minimize the physiological stresses on their bodies as they begin to normalize after the increased pressures experienced underwater.