Bargain Scuba Gear

Technology has come on leaps and bounds since Jacques Cousteau invented the aqualung an Scuba divers have benefited enormously from the electronics and miniaturization advances. The prime example of this is the dive computer.

A dive computer is a wristwatch-like device that measures time and ambient pressure, temperature and sometimes other variables. Its primary purpose is to make measurements and calculations that provide the diver with recommendations for safe ascent. With a dive computer strapped on, the chances of suffering decompression sickness – the bends – is drastically reduced.

Of course in Jacques day the raptures of the deep were very feared and dive tables were used to plan a safe dive so dive computers are really helpful as they can adjust to your actual dive.

A dive computer will display the safe rate of ascent based on estimates of the amount of nitrogen absorbed during the dive. It does this by a combination of direct measurement of ambient pressure and time, along with a calculated depth and in-built algorithms about nitrogen absorption.

Of course you still need to be careful and make sure you don’t become distracted from diving the plan as can easily be done if you rely too heavily on the technology.