| Computers offer the diver a safer and much more
convenient way of monitoring decompression limits. Dive
computers calculate nitrogen loading according to the diver's
depth and time, allowing a profile that is much more flexible
than the square profiles provided by dive tables. Today's
computers display current depth, maximum depth, dive time, and
records the dive information for recall later in a logbook mode.
Some computers require that the user push a button to activate
while others activate automatically when you enter the water.
Computers go into a sleep mode or turn off if not used within a
certain period of time. Computers can be mounted in a console,
on the wrist in a wrist boot, or on the hose in a hose boot. How
a computer is mounted is dependent on the divers preference and
the computer's configuration. Some models have a pressure gauge
integrated into the unit. These computers are able to display
the amount of remaining air and calculate how long your air will
last based on current breathing rate. Why Nitrox: "All
other conditions being equal, a diver on Nitrox 36 will consume
about 12 percent less gas than a diver on normal air." -
according to Scuba Lab. Nitrox computers offer all the same
features as the air computers, but also allow the use of Oxygen
Enriched Air. Once a diver's Nitrox is programmed in the
computer, decompression limits are adjusted accordingly.
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