Scuba Diving Computers and Gauges

Scuba diving is an amazing and life-changing experience but, as easy as it is to get sucked in (sometimes literally) by the amazing sights and sounds under the sea, it’s important to remember that the ocean’s depths also bring a huge range of hazards your way. 

This is why, before you can enjoy what scuba has to offer, every keen newbie needs to stock up on the equipment necessary to ensure the ease and safety that leaves them to marvel at all this wonder. Swimsuits and oxygen masks are an obvious aspect of this, but less apparent, scuba diving computers and gauges also make a huge difference to dive safety, and that’s precisely what we’re going to deep dive into here. 

What are scuba diving computers and gauges?

Gauges and computers enable divers to easily see crucial dive logistics at any given moment, each of which helps to avoid injury, sickness, or other problematic setbacks as follows –

• Gauges: Dive gauges are long-standing, simple pieces of dive equipment that provide crucial readings such as air tank pressure, and the current depth of a diver, using a needle and number gauge. 
• Computers: Computers are intelligent pieces of modern kit that automatically calculate a range of factors like depth and air tank pressure alongside further data including ascension rates, dive tables, and decompression stops that can be shared live with friends, and social diving networks. 

As can be seen from the Computer Aqualung i300C 3 Gauge, most modern diving products combine both capabilities to provide extensive reporting, and the safety it offers, during and after every single dive.

Why do you need computers and gauges?

While dive computers like the Aqualung Computer i33OR have brought a great many additional diving benefits including the ability to share progress updates, the condition oversight offered by these pieces of kit is predominantly a matter of safety, showing where and when you should be diving, as well as giving you crucial nudges if you’re getting a little too far out, ascending too quickly, or if your air tank suddenly has a shortage. Newly communicable computers with incorporated Bluetooth connections are also invaluable for ensuring that you can call for help in seconds as and if the need arises.

How to choose the right computers and gauges

While the information that computers and gauges collect is generally pretty universal, each does so in incredibly unique ways, and for incredibly varied diving requirements. For instance, while products like the Teric Dive Computer mimic watches, many other alternatives connect to your suit, and that’s before we consider the variations in functionality across the full spectrum of selection. Really, choosing the right computers and gauges is all about understanding your requirements and searching for the product that best ticks those boxes, with questions especially worth asking including –

1. What is your diving style?
2. What style of computer/gauge would work best for you?
3. How much are you willing to spend?
4. What kind of display is easiest for you to make sense of?

How to prep computers and gauges

Once you’ve settled on the ideal scuba diving computers and gauges for your needs, it’s important that you also understand how to prep this equipment for a safe, enjoyable dive that’s entirely free from those new equipment wobbles. Prep like this is especially essential for computers that offer wide-ranging functions that, left unexplored, can soon get out of hand and start misfiring when you’re already down deep. To make sure that doesn’t happen, take a few moments to tackle some preliminary steps, such as –

• Get your settings in order: First, you’re going to want to make sure that your computer and gauge of choice is set to all the right measurement settings for your taste so that all of your results come back to you in a format that you’re comfortable with and can easily understand. 
• Familiarise yourself with the modes: Most modern scuba diving computers offer a range of modes for customisable air/nitrox blends, as well as freediving modes and more. Read up on these, and make sure that your computer is set to your preferred mode choices.

Give it a whirl: Ultimately, the best possible prep for your computer and gauge is to simply get out there and give it a go. Start with a few small dives where you can really have fun with this new bit of kit. Then, when you feel like you’re ready, take it in at the deep end and get to grips with what it can truly do!

If you have any further questions about our equipment and the customising services we offer, please feel free to contact us today via email at info@scubaworld.com.au or on (07) 5444 8595.

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