NiTek Dive Computer User Guide Date of purchase: www.diverite.
Content DEVELOPED BY Dive Rite 175 NW Washington Street Lake City, FL 32055 Phone: 386.752.1087 Fax: 386.755.0613 Web: www.DiveRite.com COPYRIGHT NOTICE Copyright © 1997-2004 Lamartek, Inc. dba Dive Rite WARRANTY INFORMATION Dive Rite will—at its sole discretion—repair or replace NiTek components proved to be damaged by faulty manufacture or material, at no cost, for a period of up to one year (365 days) from the date of purchase. This manual is copyrighted by Lamartek, Inc. dba Dive Rite.
Content Table of contents Chapter 1 Introduction • 1 Overview • 2 Features and functions • 3 Specifications • 5 Warnings • 6 Chapter 2 Using the NiTek • 9 Getting started • 10 Accessing display modes and screens • 11 Surface mode • 12 Dive plan mode • 14 Understanding FO2 default • 17 Dive mode • 19 Surface mode (upon surfacing from a dive) • 27 Log mode • 29 Profile mode • 31 PC transfer mode • 32 Altitude operation • 34 NiTek mode flow chart • 36 Chapter 3 Care and maintenance • 37 Proper handling t
Chapter 1 Introduction Summary This chapter provides an overview of the NiTek, lists the NiTek’s features and functions, and covers warning information that should be read before using your NiTek.
Introduction Overview Congratulations on your purchase of the NiTek dive computer. The NiTek is a sophisticated and comprehensive dive computer that was designed to offer you the latest in dive computer technology, safety, and reliability.
Introduction Features and functions The NiTek incorporates a number of important modes and features: • The NiTek turns on automatically upon descent • On the surface, the NiTek constantly displays a minimum of date and time • The NiTek uses easily accessible and highly reliable push buttons instead of exposed electrical contacts • The NiTek can be programmed to monitor exposure to either air or a Nitrox mixture from EAN22 to EAN50 during a dive • The NiTek is capable of functioning up to a depth o
Introduction • Special mode indicators make it easy to determine what display mode or screen you are in at any time • The NiTek’s memory capability enables it to hold and display log data on up to 10 dives • Detailed dive-profile information is stored for each dive through a one-minute sample interval • Dive data can be uploaded and stored in a dive log format on a desktop or laptop computer using the NiTekLogic™ software and optional PC interface • The NiTek can calculate decompression stop requi
Introduction Specifications Algorithm: Buhlmann ZH-L16 Sample tissues: 9 Tissue half-lives: from 5 to 640 minutes Size and weight Diameter: 2.5 in (62 mm) Height: 1.0 in (25 mm) Weight: 4 ounces (115 g) Display face Low battery indicator Two user buttons Water immersion switch Depth sensor Measuring range: 0 to 328 feet (0 to 100 m) measured every second Accuracy: +/- 3% + 2 feet (0.
Introduction Warnings This information has been developed for your safety. Please read and understand this manual completely before using your NiTek dive computer. Important safety information: • Before using your NiTek, it is extremely important that you read the following points—as well as similar warning and caution notices that appear throughout this manual. Failure to do so could result in damage to or loss of equipment, serious personal injury, or death.
Introduction • Neither the NiTek—nor any other dive computer— physically measures the amount of nitrogen present in body tissues or the rate at which nitrogen is being absorbed or released. The NiTek monitors depth and time, and uses this data to work a mathematical formula designed to emulate how individuals in good general health and whose physical characteristics do not place them among those at higher risk of decompression illness (DCI) are assumed to absorb and release nitrogen from body tissues.
Introduction abrupt changes in altitude following a dive, as doing so may be very dangerous.
Chapter 2 Using the NiTek Summary This chapter provides topics about using, setting, and understanding each of the modes and options of the NiTek.
Using the NiTek Getting started The NiTek has many modes and screens and a number of options that can be changed depending on your dive location and profile. The following is a checklist of general things that you should pay attention to before, during, and after a dive. Before a dive • Check that the proper time and date are set. If you traveled, your NiTek may be set to your home time zone.
Using the NiTek Accessing display modes and screens There are some display modes that the NiTek enters and/or exits automatically. For example, by taking the NiTek underwater, the dive mode automatically turns on. Upon surfacing, the NiTek automatically enters the surface mode. Accessing other modes or screens requires the use of the NiTek’s buttons. Button operation The NiTek has two buttons (A and B), which are used to access the different modes and screens.
Using the NiTek Surface mode Surface mode is the NiTek’s default mode. The computer returns to this mode automatically upon surfacing from a dive and from other modes when a period of time has passed without the buttons being pressed. The arrow at the bottom of the display points to SURF. 1 2 3 (1) Date: This is the date in month and day format. (2) Time: This is the time of day in 24-hour (military) format. (3) Altitude: This is the current altitude you are at.
Using the NiTek 3. Using button’s A and B, set the year, month, day, hour, minutes, seconds. The time is based on a 24-hour format. For example, 1:00 PM would be 13:00. 4. When finished, press button A to return to surface mode. Setting the computer for metric or Imperial operation The NiTek can calculate and give you values in Imperial units or metric units. When in Imperial, depth values are expressed in feet and temperatures are expressed in Fahrenheit (°F).
Using the NiTek Dive plan mode Dive plan mode enables you to determine how long you can stay at various depths while remaining within the no-decompression limits. The no-decompression time limits are based on the gas percentage that is set. If you are making a dive within 24 hours of a previous dive, the no-decompression time limits are based on the residual nitrogen remaining.
Using the NiTek exceed a limiting PO2 of 1.6 atmospheres, a series of horizontal lines appears in place of the no-decompression limit. To enter dive plan mode: 1. Press button A. The arrow at the bottom of the display points to PLAN. 2. Press button A to increment the depth. The no-decompression time limits change automatically based on the depth. 3. When finished, press and hold button A for three seconds to return to surface mode.
Using the NiTek To set the FO2 gas percentage: 1. Press buttons A and B simultaneously for six seconds. The FO2 gas percentage flashes. 2. Press and release button B to increase the percentage. Press and hold button B to increase the percentages rapidly. 3. When finished, press button A to return to dive plan mode. 4. To return to surface mode, press button A for three seconds. Note: If a Nitrox mixture is set, the NITROX symbol is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Using the NiTek Understanding FO2 default In your entry-level Enriched Air Nitrox training, you learned that among the greatest risks Nitrox (EANx) use poses is CNS oxygen toxicity. CNS oxygen toxicity can occur if Nitrox is breathed at depths where the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) exceeds safe limits. The NiTek is designed to help divers avoid such situations by presenting information and warnings regarding current PO2 levels and cumulative exposure to elevated PO2s.
Using the NiTek When and how FO2 default occurs One factor in determining if and when your NiTek’s FO2 setting is in default, is whether you set it for air or Nitrox. • If you set the mix for air (an FO2 of 21 percent), the computer assumes that subsequent dives will be made using air. This means that the mix set for air remains set for air, dive after dive, without defaulting. • If you set the mix for Nitrox (FO2s of 22 to 50 percent), the computer assumes that subsequent dives will be made on Nitrox.
Using the NiTek Dive mode Dive mode is automatically entered when the computer enters the water. It begins performing its dive calculations once you descend below 5 feet (1.5 meters). Caution: Prior to diving, always check to ensure that the FO2 setting is correct and that the computer is not in FO2 default. While in dive mode, the computer calculates and displays information about your dive and prompts you with safety stop information and warnings if needed.
Using the NiTek used 100 percent of your “CNS” clock. This graph increases when you descend due to higher partial pressures and may decrease when you ascend. (4) Depth: This is the current depth. (5) Residual nitrogen (N2) bar graph: This is how much nitrogen the computer assumes your body has absorbed. There are a maximum of nine bars. When all bars are displayed, it means that you are at or have exceeded the no-decompression limits. (6) Max depth: This is the maximum depth reached during the dive.
Using the NiTek Warnings while in dive mode While in dive mode, there are several warnings that you should be alert to. Decompression warning If you exceed the no-decompression limits, the computer enters decompression mode. An audible alarm sounds for three seconds indicating that you have decompression stop requirements. Caution: Decompression diving is considered to substantially increase your risk of decompression illness more than dives made within no-decompression limits.
Using the NiTek (5) Nitrogen (N2) bar graph: All nine bars are displayed, indicating that you are at or have exceeded the nodecompression limits and have entered decompression. Default warning If the gas mix is in default at the beginning of a dive, an audible alarm sounds and the O2 bar graph and PO2 LIMIT symbols flash. If you ascend and set the mix percentage, you can restart the dive.
Using the NiTek PO2 limit warning The PO2 warning indicates that you have exceeded the 1.6 atmospheres for the gas you are breathing. When you reach 90 percent of the PO2 limit of 1.6 atmospheres, an audible alarm sounds for three seconds and PO2 LIMIT and depth flashes for three seconds. If you continue to descend and exceed a PO2 of 1.6 atmospheres, the audible alarm sounds again for three seconds and the PO2 LIMIT and depth flash until you ascend to a safer depth.
Using the NiTek Note: Should the OLI and PO2 warnings activate at roughly the same time—and at relatively shallows depths, early in the dive— you most likely have not exceeded your actual oxygen limits. What has happened, is that you forgot to set the FO2 percentages prior to the dive and the computer has FO2 defaulted. See “Understanding FO2 default” for more information.
Using the NiTek Out-of-range warning The following can cause the out-of-range warning: • Descend below the computer’s maximum operating depth of 328 feet (100 meters) • Exceed an actual bottom time of 599 minutes • Accrue decompression stops depths of greater than 49 feet (15 meters) The out-of-range warning consists of: • The audible alarm sounds for ten seconds • Dashed lines appear in place of the current and maximum depth • The entire screen flashes WARNING: A NiTek displaying an out-of-ra
Using the NiTek 26 NiTek Dive Computer User Manual
Using the NiTek Surface mode (upon surfacing from a dive) Once you surface from a dive, the NiTek automatically switches to surface mode. In addition to the normal information displayed in surface mode such as time of day, there is other information that is displayed that pertains to the dive you just completed.
Using the NiTek (3) Oxygen OLI bar graph: This indicates CNS toxicity level at the end of the dive. This drops as your surface interval time increases. (4) Nitrogen (N2) exposure bar graph: This is the amount of residual nitrogen in your body at the end of the dive. This drops as your surface interval time increases. WARNING: It is recommended that you wait at least 24-hours following any dive before flying in an aircraft or driving to altitude.
Using the NiTek Log mode For each dive (up to ten total), the NiTek stores information, such as depth, time, temperature, etc. in a log. This stored log information can be viewed directly from the NiTek’s screen when in log mode. Because of the amount of information the NiTek stores, there are two pages that you can toggle between for each dive. Each dive has a date and is assigned a number, beginning with one, for the day.
Using the NiTek (5) Nitrogen (N2) exposure bar graph: This is the amount of residual nitrogen in your body at the end of the dive. (6) Oxygen OLI bar graph: This indicates CNS toxicity level at the end of the dive. (7) Dive number: This is the dive number for the day (first dive of the day, second dive of the day, etc.). (8) Dive time: This is the actual in water time for the dive. (9) FO2 gas percentage: This is the FO2 gas percentage that you entered for the dive.
Using the NiTek Profile mode Profile mode enables you to see a record of the depths you reached at various points during a dive. You can display a detailed profile of each dive stored in the log. When a dive is selected, the computer automatically displays the depth and the time in the dive when you reached that depth until it reaches the end of the dive. Dive profile information is stored in one-minute intervals during a dive.
Using the NiTek PC transfer mode You can transfer the stored dive log information to your personal computer using the optional NiTekLogic software and a PC interface. Before transferring the dive log You must complete the following before transferring the dive log. • Install the NiTekLogic software onto your PC. Open the program > click Options > and check the Uploader tab. Make sure the COM port selection in the NiTekLogic software matches the COM port you are connecting to on your PC.
Using the NiTek • If there is an error reported after the dialog box says “transfer,” check for a loose or dirty connection between the NiTek and the interface module. To enter PC transfer mode: 1. Press button B. The arrow at the bottom of the display points to LOG. 2. Press button A for five seconds. The arrow at the bottom of the display points to PF. 3. Press buttons A and B simultaneously for five seconds. The arrow at the bottom of the display points to TRN. 4.
Using the NiTek Altitude operation The NiTek adjusts automatically for diving at altitudes of up to 19,685 feet (6,000 meters). To show that the NiTek has made the altitude adjustment, it displays the altitude settings using numbers.
Using the NiTek (6,000 meters), which is beyond the NiTek’s ability to function accurately. • Do not place the NiTek in dive mode when making sudden, substantial changes in altitude, such as when flying in an airplane. This can be caused by storing the NiTek with wet dive gear, which can touch its external electrical contacts and cause it to enter dive mode. This can interfere with the computer’s ability to function accurately.
Using the NiTek NiTek mode flow chart 36 NiTek Dive Computer User Manual
Chapter 3 Care and maintenance Summary This chapter provides care and maintenance and battery information for the NiTek.
Care and maintenance Proper handling techniques The NiTek is constructed to withstand the most demanding diving conditions. It is, however, a high precision instrument, which requires proper care. Caution: Failure to follow these handling techniques may result in damage to the NiTek. • Do not store the computer in hot and/or humid environments. The pressure transducer is sensitive to both heat and humidity. If impaired, it may cause incorrect altitude or depth readings.
Care and maintenance • Do not use compressed air to dry the NiTek • Do not use the NiTek in hyperbaric chambers if the device is not fully submerged in water • Always rinse the computer with freshwater after use • Store the NiTek in a cool, dry location. After diving, wipe the computer dry and store it in a location separate from other damp items.
Care and maintenance Low battery warning The battery that comes with the NiTek is designed to last for up to three years under normal use. You may get more or less use from the battery depending on how often it is used and how it is cared for. When the low battery symbol is blinking, the NiTek is capable of entering PC transfer mode, but it cannot enter dive mode. When the battery symbol stops blinking, the NiTek cannot enter PC transfer mode or dive mode.
Index A accessing modes and screens · 11 alarms · 3 algorithm · 5 altitude · 3, 5 altitude operation · 34 altitude symbol · 34 ascent rate warning · 22 ascent time · 21 B battery · 5 low battery warning · 40 replacing · 40 Buhlmann · 5 button operation · 11 default warning · 22 depth · 3 current depth · 20 maximum depth · 20 depth sensor · 5 desaturation time · 27 dive log · 4, 5 dive mode · 19 primary screen · 19 secondary screen · 20 dive plan mode · 14 dive profile · 4 dive time · 19 log mode · 30 divin
Index I oxygen limit index warning · 23 Imperial · 3 P L log · 4 log mode · 29 viewing · 30 M maximum depth log mode · 29 metric · 3 metric or Imperial description · 13 setting · 13 mix · 15 mix1 and mix2 · 20 mode flow chart · 36 N NDL · 14, 19 nitrogen log mode · 30 no-decompression limit · 14, 19 O O2 setting · 5 OLI · 20, 28 log mode · 30 out-of-range warning · 25 oxygen log mode · 30 oxygen limit index · 20, 28 42 PC transfer mode · 4, 32 entering · 33 PO2 limit warning · 23 profile · 4 profile mod
Index time and date · 12 time and date setting · 12 time mode setting time and date · 12 W warnings · 6 ascent rate · 22 NiTek Dive Computer User Manual decompression stop violation warning · 24 decompression warning · 21 default warning · 22 dive mode · 21 low battery warning · 40 out-of-range warning · 25 oxygen limit · 23 PO2 limit warning · 23 43
Index 44 NiTek Dive Computer User Manual
