Which aspect of dive tables helps ensure a diver's safety during a dive?

The aspect of dive tables that helps ensure a diver's safety during a dive is the time limits based on depth. Dive tables provide critical information that indicates how long a diver can spend at a particular depth without exceeding safe limits for nitrogen absorption. When divers descend to greater depths, the pressure increases, which affects nitrogen uptake into the body's tissues. If a diver stays too long at depth, they risk developing decompression sickness, commonly known as "the bends," due to the release of excess nitrogen as they ascend.

By adhering to the time limits specified in the dive tables, divers can manage their exposure to pressure and nitrogen while ensuring they ascend in a safe manner. These guidelines are vital in preventing the complications that can arise from improper ascent rates and time spent underwater, ultimately promoting overall dive safety.