What Are Dive Computers?

Decompression sickness is something that scuba divers need to worry about. During a dive, pressure builds up around the diver. The deeper the dive, the more pressure twill build up. If a diver ascends too rapidly, nitrogen bubbles can occur in the blood and cause serious health damage. In order to help prevent this, dive computers are used. These can calculate a number of different factors in order to tell a diver how much time he has to ascend.

Function

Dive computers can read the pressure around a diver, the elapsed time of the dive and ascension, and can warn a diver when she is ascending too quickly. Some dive computers also read the temperature of the water and the amount of air left in a diver's oxygen container.

Audible Warning

Since divers cannot be expected to view their dive computers all the time, an audible warning is given at certain times. This occurs during missed decompression spots, exceeded oxygen toxicity limits, and when maximum operation depth has been reached.

Identification

Dive computers look like watches and are worn on the wrist. They display everything digitally and are composed of materials able to withstand high pressures.

Significance

Dive computers allow divers to plan even the most complicated dives. They greatly reduce the risk of harm that could otherwise occur if divers do not keep track of time, oxygen levels or rates of ascent.

Warning

Many divers perform dives well out of the range of their expertise by relying heavily or completely on the dive computer. If a dive computer stops working during a dive, the diver must know how to safely ascend on his own.

Who Can HelpSponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!