What is the best practice for managing dive time during night dives?

Managing dive time during night dives is crucial for diver safety and overall dive experience. The best practice involves closely monitoring both air supply and bottom time. Night dives present unique challenges, including decreased visibility and altered perceptions of time due to darkness. By keeping a careful eye on air supply, divers can ensure they have enough air to safely complete their dive while allowing for a sufficient ascent and safety stop if necessary. Additionally, monitoring bottom time helps divers avoid exceeding no-decompression limits and ensures they can return to the surface safely without rushing.

Considering the other options, ignoring air supply could lead to dangerous situations, as it increases the risk of running out of air unexpectedly. Estimating time based on visibility is not reliable because visibility can change rapidly underwater and does not provide a clear indication of how much time has passed. Focusing solely on depth instead of time overlooks crucial aspects of dive safety, such as air consumption and dive limits. Therefore, monitoring air supply and bottom time is the most responsible approach for ensuring a safe and enjoyable night dive experience.