Modern diving decompression computers or dive computers are a diver’s best friend in the depths of the deep blue sea. Dive computers, using Micro LCD displays and magnifying lens that display data that appears as if on a 32” TV screen even 12” away, have come a long way from the 1950’s and 60’s diving gauges that were the size of kidney bladders.
From wrist watch styled digital diving and depth gauges, to the modern arm and wrist strapped dive computers, to the new model dive computers mounted on the diver’s rebreather mouthpiece, modern underwater dive computers now normally show a multitude of data such as:
* Current depth.
* Maximum depth reached with each individual dive.
* Time remaining at current depth without the need for decompression stops on ascent.
* Dive time measured from the end of the last longer surface interval.
* Required decompression stop depth and time.
* Water temperature.
* Ascent rate and total ascent time.
* Dive profile (though not displayed on a dive computer, data is transmitted to a laptop).
When connected to a diving oxygen cylinder pressure sensor, display information may also include:
* Gas pressure.
* Estimated Remaining Air Time (RAT) based on available oxygen, rate of consumption, and ascent time.
Because of the complication of dive computers as with standard diving equipment, dive computers and their manufacturers must first be approved the U.S. and Canadian Diving Control Board. Once purchased, divers should own their own unit, and may not lend theirs nor borrow from others.
It should be noted that since the stamp of excellence in dive computers should be those simple to use, easy to read underwater, yet still retain the highest technology possible, modern dive computer manufacturers like Shearwater regularly attend scientific symposiums and conferences around the world related to diving and decompression theory.
Thus, all of the above features and more are found in Shearwater products such as the Shearwater NERD (Near Eye Remote Display), Petrel OC/CC EXT, and Petrel OC/CC Standalone.
From wrist watch styled digital diving and depth gauges, to the modern arm and wrist strapped dive computers, to the new model dive computers mounted on the diver’s rebreather mouthpiece, modern underwater dive computers now normally show a multitude of data such as:
* Current depth.
* Maximum depth reached with each individual dive.
* Time remaining at current depth without the need for decompression stops on ascent.
* Dive time measured from the end of the last longer surface interval.
* Required decompression stop depth and time.
* Water temperature.
* Ascent rate and total ascent time.
* Dive profile (though not displayed on a dive computer, data is transmitted to a laptop).
When connected to a diving oxygen cylinder pressure sensor, display information may also include:
* Gas pressure.
* Estimated Remaining Air Time (RAT) based on available oxygen, rate of consumption, and ascent time.
Because of the complication of dive computers as with standard diving equipment, dive computers and their manufacturers must first be approved the U.S. and Canadian Diving Control Board. Once purchased, divers should own their own unit, and may not lend theirs nor borrow from others.
It should be noted that since the stamp of excellence in dive computers should be those simple to use, easy to read underwater, yet still retain the highest technology possible, modern dive computer manufacturers like Shearwater regularly attend scientific symposiums and conferences around the world related to diving and decompression theory.
Thus, all of the above features and more are found in Shearwater products such as the Shearwater NERD (Near Eye Remote Display), Petrel OC/CC EXT, and Petrel OC/CC Standalone.