What is the recommended surface interval when making repetitive dives with enriched air?

The recommended surface interval when making repetitive dives with enriched air is indeed 1 hour. This duration is suggested to allow sufficient time for nitrogen off-gassing, which is important for reducing the risk of decompression sickness (DCS). During repetitive dives, the body's nitrogen stores can build up, and longer surface intervals help ensure that nitrogen levels decrease before the next dive.

A 1-hour interval strikes a balance; it's long enough to promote safe desaturation while still being practical for divers who may want to conduct multiple dives within a day. Shorter surface intervals may not provide adequate time for complete off-gassing, which can increase the risk of DCS if divers descend too soon after prior dives. Conversely, excessively long intervals could lead divers to miss opportunities for additional dives without tangible benefits in safety. Therefore, a surface interval of 1 hour is a recognized standard in the practice of enriched air diving.