What can a dive computer do?
A dive computer provides the real-time dive information you need to dive well. A dive computer takes depth and time information and applies it to a decompression model to track the dissolved nitrogen in your body during a dive. Your computer continuously tells you how much dive time you safely have remaining.
Who needs a dive computer?
For many people, an ascent rate monitor may be the most important reason to buy a dive computer. Every diver – and even none-divers – knows the dangers of coming up too quickly, and every diver does all they can to keep within the safe limits.
What is Nitrox computer?
Most modern Nitrox dive computers allow you to set the percentage of oxygen in your breathing mix anywhere between 21 percent and 50 percent oxygen. A few will even allow richer mixtures. However, most require that the percentage of oxygen in the mixture be set before you enter the water.
Why should you not turn off a dive computer between dives?
4. Don’t turn your computer off between dives. Most won’t let you, but if you take out the battery or shut the computer down, it loses its memory of your previous dives and your residual nitrogen. You’ll have to allow all residual nitrogen to leave your body before resuming use of the computer.
How deep can you dive with Trimix?
The commercial diving industry commonly uses heliox in place of trimix. This mixture of helium and oxygen can be used at depths of up to 984 feet (300 m). Any deeper than that requires divers to replace helium with hydrogen.
How long should you wait between dives?
Surface Interval Time (SIT) must be at least 10 minutes between dives. If your SIT is less than 10 minutes, you must consider your second dive as a continuation of the first dive. NAUI recommends a SIT of at least one hour between dives.
What wrist do you wear a dive computer on?
You do need to closely monitor your depth during ascents/descents, safety stops / deco stops, and you often need to operate the inflator/dump to contro your depth at the same time…. that is why “computer on the right wrist” is most common. Best wishes.
What is the most important rule in scuba diving?
Never hold your breath. This is undoubtedly by far the most crucial of all safety rules for diving because failure to adhere could result in fatality. If you hold your breath underwater at the depths at which scuba divers reach then the fluctuating pressure of air in your lungs can rupture the lung walls.
What should I do if my dive computer fails?
If the computer malfunctions, and you are only diving an NDL (No Decompression Limit) profile, and you know that you are well within your NDL, simply abort the dive. Even though your dive buddy may be wearing a dive computer, there is no way of being sure that your profile was the same as his.
Why do divers breathe trimix?
And, finally, there is the so-called “helium penalty.” Current decompression theory suggests that breathing trimix increases decompression obligation. This is due to helium’s propensity to enter body tissues quickly (due to its lightness) and exit them quickly on ascent.
Are scuba tanks filled with pure oxygen?
Recreational scuba tanks are filled with compressed, purified air. This air contains about 20.9% oxygen. Several risks are associated with the use of pure oxygen in diving.
Can you drink alcohol the night before scuba diving?
Avoid drinking to excess anytime, but particularly before diving or while on a diving vacation. Avoid alcohol for at least 8 hours before diving (the same rule the FAA imposes on pilots). If you drank the night before, avoid diving if you feel a hangover, as you’re likely to be significantly dehydrated.