Hazards of Diving
Diving has allowed the public to discover the many underwater wonders of the world. However, visiting these majestic sites underwater hides a risk that is often a trade-off between the wonders and the risks of diving. It isn't sharks or boats or anything else that may exist on or in the water. The real danger to divers is decompression sickness sometimes referred to as Caissons disease or the bends.
Also known as the bends, the disease can afflict anyone who goes from a high pressure to low pressure environment. The illness results from Henry's law, which says in short that when the pressure goes down, gas will form bubbles in a fluid. In the case of the bends, the fluid is the blood and the gas is typically nitrogen.
In an airplane cabin, the same process takes place but at a much slower rate. Therefore the lungs are able to remove the gas before the bubbles have any chance of forming. In the case of a diver coming up too fast, the process is quickened resulting in skin rashes and itching, joint pains, paralysis and possibly death.
The Solution
Preventing the bends requires the diver to ascend slowly, allowing the gas to naturally de-gas. The number of variables to consider when calculating the time needed for slow surfacing makes it very difficult to determine. That is why the dive computer was invented. With its specialized timers and sensors, it can determine how deep the diver is and how long the diver was at that depth. Diving computers conduct its calculations in real time and determine how much time the diver needs to spend at a particular level to surface safely and prevent the bends.
A dive computer in just about every brand and model is able to sense the exact duration of divers being at certain depths. The diving computer can then estimate the blood gas level of the diver and figure out: the time period in which the diver can surface without having to worry about the bends; the duration of the divers stop at each depth in order to surface safely and the maximum depth the diver can reach amongst other things.
Integrated Diver Display
Visual displays which should be read clearly and visible while diving, are present on many forms of divers computer. To ensure that the diver does not experience information overload, the dive computer display should be uncluttered. Better models of diving computers, in addition to the information provided above, will display information such as the speed at which the diver is rising, the temperature of the water and the time of decompression at each depth. For analysis afterwards, many high end models can transmit the entire dive onto a computer.
Certain defining features can really set a dive computer ahead of the pack. By the time a diver has surfaced, high end dive watches will display the time before a diver can board an airplane. One of the quickest ways to get the bends is to board an airplane too soon. High end models are also able to keep track of the air supply in the scuba tanks.
When it comes to shopping for a dive computer, the consumer should identify how much information is provided on the display and if the display is clear and readable. They should also see what other features there are and what is being kept track of in terms of diving quantities. An excellent example of a quality divig computer would be the Suunto D9. - 16928
Diving has allowed the public to discover the many underwater wonders of the world. However, visiting these majestic sites underwater hides a risk that is often a trade-off between the wonders and the risks of diving. It isn't sharks or boats or anything else that may exist on or in the water. The real danger to divers is decompression sickness sometimes referred to as Caissons disease or the bends.
Also known as the bends, the disease can afflict anyone who goes from a high pressure to low pressure environment. The illness results from Henry's law, which says in short that when the pressure goes down, gas will form bubbles in a fluid. In the case of the bends, the fluid is the blood and the gas is typically nitrogen.
In an airplane cabin, the same process takes place but at a much slower rate. Therefore the lungs are able to remove the gas before the bubbles have any chance of forming. In the case of a diver coming up too fast, the process is quickened resulting in skin rashes and itching, joint pains, paralysis and possibly death.
The Solution
Preventing the bends requires the diver to ascend slowly, allowing the gas to naturally de-gas. The number of variables to consider when calculating the time needed for slow surfacing makes it very difficult to determine. That is why the dive computer was invented. With its specialized timers and sensors, it can determine how deep the diver is and how long the diver was at that depth. Diving computers conduct its calculations in real time and determine how much time the diver needs to spend at a particular level to surface safely and prevent the bends.
A dive computer in just about every brand and model is able to sense the exact duration of divers being at certain depths. The diving computer can then estimate the blood gas level of the diver and figure out: the time period in which the diver can surface without having to worry about the bends; the duration of the divers stop at each depth in order to surface safely and the maximum depth the diver can reach amongst other things.
Integrated Diver Display
Visual displays which should be read clearly and visible while diving, are present on many forms of divers computer. To ensure that the diver does not experience information overload, the dive computer display should be uncluttered. Better models of diving computers, in addition to the information provided above, will display information such as the speed at which the diver is rising, the temperature of the water and the time of decompression at each depth. For analysis afterwards, many high end models can transmit the entire dive onto a computer.
Certain defining features can really set a dive computer ahead of the pack. By the time a diver has surfaced, high end dive watches will display the time before a diver can board an airplane. One of the quickest ways to get the bends is to board an airplane too soon. High end models are also able to keep track of the air supply in the scuba tanks.
When it comes to shopping for a dive computer, the consumer should identify how much information is provided on the display and if the display is clear and readable. They should also see what other features there are and what is being kept track of in terms of diving quantities. An excellent example of a quality divig computer would be the Suunto D9. - 16928
About the Author:
Ed J Price has had a marked interest in scuba diving for a long time. For more information on a recommended diving computer like the Suunto D9 dive computer, visit his online resource site now.
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