Diving
Computers-Watches
Diving computers-watches measure the time
and depth of dives to calculate a safe ascent in
substitution of simple watches, depth gauges and diving tables or diving
planners.
Some diving computers or watches also
replace the pressure gauges when connected
to the
high-pressure hose or with an adapter for the first stage. You see them
in the regulator’s
consoles
and in wristbands.
Perhaps
the most important new feature in
several computers is the ability to download the actual profile of your
dive
into a personal computer (PC).
Buying a
Diving Computer-Watches
TIP # 1: Never rely on
one instrument,
your underwater diving
computer-watches could fail when you need it most. By using analog
gauges
together with diving
computers, your dive will be safer.
TIP # 2: Look
for a diving computer
with a noise or buzzer that will alert you of any problems; like
surfacing too
fast or if you forgot about the decompression stop, etc.
TIP # 3: The
diving computer’s face should be scratch-resistant and made
from a
non-corrosive
material, the buttons must be big enough to be handled by a diver
wearing
gloves.
TIP # 4: Back lighting is
helpful for night diving or cloudy days
underwater.
TIP # 5: You must
know your diving computer-watches or you will spend the
whole dive trying to understand it.
TIP # 6: Never rely on
your
partner’s computer to calculate your decompression, use your
own or use
diving planners.
TIP # 7: Check
that the dive
computer turns off automatically or next time you use it, it will be
out
of batteries.
TIP # 8: Always follow the
instructions in the manual for changing the batteries.
Time
To Choose One
  |
Diving
Watches: Are
watches that are activated when underwater to calculate the time and
depth. Others could also provide more information. |
 
|
Wrist
Computers:
only active when underwater or wet to save batteries. Can be removed
from
the wristband and put on the console. |
 |
Computer
with Adapter:
to measure the pressure on the cylinder. |
 |
Console
with pressure gauge and
computer: by just removing the depth gauge from the
console and the computer from the wristband.
|
 |
Computer/Pressure
gauge:
conected to the high pressure hose will tell you how much air is left
in
the tank. |
  |
The
DATA-MASK: with a LCD inside your mask will provide the
same data as
a diving computer: current depth, elapsed dive time, cylinder pressure,
and dive time remaining. |
|
