Diving Computers

If scuba diving is your hobby then you must be aware how important it is to find out the dept of dive and the time for which you are at that dept. diving computers or dive computers or decompression meter are devices which can help you with this.

What are diving computers?
The diving computers are the devices which are used by the professional scuba divers to find out the time and dept of the dive. This device displays the dept at which you are and the time for which you are at that dept so that you can time yourself deep under water.

How do these diving computers work and what information do these computers provide you?
The diving computers work continuously. They calculate and recalculate the time and the dept on the basis of the partial pressure of the inert gases in your body. These computers measure the surrounding pressure of the gases so as to estimate the partial pressure of the inert gases in the body of the diver. For this the computer uses the decompression algorithm in the diver's tissues to estimate accurately the partial pressure of the gases.

Thus these computers give you the accurate and updated information of the dive time, decompression and the depts. At which you are. This computer also warns you about the excessive ascent rates and the decompression stops that you missed.

The computer also tells you about the oxygen toxicity, the temperature of the water, the pressure of the gas remaining in the diving gas cylinder. All this is of utmost help so that you can plan your time under water.

The modern day diving computers have the LCD screen which display the information related to the depth at which you are under water, dive time, the ascent rate, the decompression stop depth time required, the gas pressure in the diving cylinder and the estimated time for which the remaining gas in the cylinder is available depending on the consumption rate.

Some diving computers also warm the diver about the excessive ascent rate, when the diver exceeds the oxygen toxicity limits and missed decompression stops. Some diving computers also calculate the decompression schedule of other gases other than oxygen.

Which type is best for you?
This depends on the type of diver you are. Decide on the basis of the under water expeditions that you take. if you are a professional them opt for an advanced computer which give you the detailed information but if you are the one who take this as a recreational activity then you can search for more basic devices which can make our diving safe and enjoyable.

But make sure that you do not rely completely on these devices. This is because in the end they are machines and they can also go nonfunctional. So, ensure that you have some other device which can give you a back up while you are deep under water exploring the fauna and flora.