It is increasingly common for divers to rely on dive computers for their decompression safety, even (and perhaps more so) with extreme and complex exposures. While numerous decompression algorithms are available, they all rely on the pressure-time profile and mathematical strategies to estimate decompression status. Dive computers do not yet measure or integrate a multitude of factors that can alter decompression stress. This presentation will consider critical variables, those with the greatest impact and those most able to be influenced. Practical strategies to optimize decompression safety will be discussed.