Dive Computers, Helping Scuba Divers Go Deeper and Stay Down Longer
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Dive Computers

The Smart Choice for Safe Scuba Diving






Wrist dive computer with sending module Dive computers, or scuba computers, have evolved at what seems like light speed. They have become easier to read, easier to understand, and easier to use for their intended purpose-to provide information to monitor your depth and time underwater on every dive. This information is critical to help divers avoid decompression sickness. These functions used to be done by using a depth gauge, a dive watch, and manual dive tables. Now these functions and many more can be done by a dive computer.


The main functions of a scuba computer are to monitor dive time and depth and calculate safe dive profiles. They do this by combining a timer and a depth gauge along with intelligent software to compute absorption of gases and decompression. Most basic models will also monitor a diver's ascent rate. All divers learn about nitrogen absorption, decompression and manual dive tables in their open water certification class. A scuba computer can make your diving experience more fun by automatically managing your nitrogen.


Dive Computers vs. Dive Tables


Even though scuba computers are more flexible than dive tables, it is still the diver's responsibility to plan their dive in accordance with safe diving guide lines. I can still hear my open water instructor saying "plan your dive and dive your plan". The job of the computer is to keep track of depth and time spent underwater, compute the amount of nitrogen in the diver's body and to alert the diver when these levels are getting too high. The computer also tells the diver when to make necessary decompression stops.


Traditional dive tables use only two things to track a dive, depth and time. Tables assume a dive goes straight to the maximum depth, stays there for a certain amount of time, and then bobs back to the surface. Most dives are not "square dives". Most of the time a diver will descend slowly, swim up and down and around to navigate the bottom or reef formations, then ascend slowly to the surface. Because of their "square thinking", dive tables calculate nitrogen consumption more conservatively. Because computers use a more accurate curved profile when tracking depth and time, they allow diver to go deeper and stay down longer. With a good computer, a diver can get more out of their diving.


Another nice feature of scuba computers is most models will come with a computer interface. This enables divers to download their dive profiles on to their PCs and create dive logs.

Wrist Dive Computer



Types of Dive Computers


Because there are many types of divers, there are many types of computers. Some of the basics types are:

  1. MULTI-GAS. This type of computer can calculate dive profiles for several different mixtures of breathing gas, from normal air to various oxygen-enriched blends of nitrox.

  2. CONSOLE-INTEGATED. This computer is built into the diver’s console which is attached to the high-pressure hose from the 1st stage of the regulator. Because of this it also displays remaining air supplies.

  3. WRIST-MOUNTED. This type is typical of a basic level, watch-style computer. It provides data on depth, dive time, ascent rate, and safe dive profiles, and is for use with normal breathing air.

  4. RADIO-UPDATED. This wrist-mounted computer also displays how much air remains in the diver's tank by means of radio updates from a module screwed into the high-pressure port of the 1st stage of the regulator.


Wrist Dive Computer



Buying a Dive Computer


With so many features on scuba computers these days, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to choose the right one. Here are some things to consider when buying a scuba computer:

  • Is the display easy to read and is it backlit?

  • Are the buttons far enough apart so they can be easily pressed when wearing dive gloves?

  • Can the battery be changed without sending it back to the manufacturer? Does the computer have decompression management and a "time-to-fly" feature?

  • Will the computer handle breathing gases other than air, like nitrox?

  • Is the manufacturers information easy to understand and do they have a good warranty?

  • Does the computer have a digital interface?



Computer Safety


One of my dive instructors would always tell us there is not a dive computer on the market that can replace good old common sense. Never rely solely on a scuba computer. Always practice calculating dive profiles using dive tables and make sure you carry back up devices like a dive watch, depth gauge, and a submersible pressure gauge.


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