P E R S O N A L D I V E CO M P U T E R S A F E T Y A N D R E F E R E N C E M A N UA L
CONTENTS THIS MANUAL.............................................................................................................................................................5 COPYRIGHT NOTICE..................................................................................................................................................5 SYMBOLS..................................................................................................................................................................
RESPONSIBLE COMPUTER DIVING • • • • • • • • Always Plan Each Dive. Always Limit Your Dive to the Level of Your Training and Experience. Always Make Your Deepest Dive First. Always Make The Deepest Part of Every Dive First. Check Your Dive Computer Often During the Dive. Do a Safety Stop on Every Dive. Allow an Adequate Surface Interval Between Each Dive. Allow Adequate Surface Intervals Between Each Day of Diving (12 Hours or Until Your Dive Computer Clears of residual nitrogen).
THIS MANUAL The intent of this manual is to consolidate information that is common to the various models of Oceanic PDCs (PDC = Personal Dive Computer). It is imperative that you read and understand this manual, as well as the OPERATING MANUAL for your specific model PDC prior to diving with it. NOTE: In the event that information provided in the OPERATING MANUAL varies from information provided in this Safety and Reference Manual, the OPERATING MANUAL shall be the overriding document to refer to.
SYMBOLS Symbols used in this manual and the PDC operating manuals to bring your attention to information having various degrees of importance are NOTE: Represents important information. CAUTION: Denotes instances that if not handled properly could result in damage to the PDC. WARNING: Emphasizes conditions and procedures that could result in serious injury or death if not corrected or followed properly.
INTRODUCTION Welcome to Oceanic and thank you for choosing one of the finest dive computers available Worldwide ! Oceanic PDCs have a wide array of features and functions that are described in detail in the Operating Manual for the specific model that you have. It is extremely important that you read the Operating Manual and understand it completely before attempting to use your new Oceanic PDC. Each numeric and graphic display represents a unique piece of information.
WARNINGS and SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS Relating to INTENDED USE • Oceanic PDCs are intended for use by recreational divers who have successfully completed a recognized course in SCUBA diving, and have knowledge of the potential risks and hazards of SCUBA diving. • Oxygen features are intended for use by divers who have successfully completed a recognized course in diving with enriched nitrogen-oxygen (Nitrox) mixtures, and have knowledge of the potential risks and hazards of diving with Nitrox.
DIVE COMPUTER PERFORMANCE • Algorithm - Pelagic Z+ and/or Pelagic DSAT. • No Deco Limits - closely follow PADI RDP. • Decompression - in agreement with Buhlmann ZHL-16c and French MN90. • No Deco Deep Stops - Morroni, Bennett. • Deco Stops (not recommended) - Blatteau, Gerth, Gutvik. • Altitude - Buhlmann, IANTD, RDP (Cross). • Altitude corrections and Oxygen limits - based on NOAA tables.
WARNINGS and SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS relating to ALTITUDE • Diving at high altitude requires special knowledge of the variations imposed upon divers, their activities, and their equipment by the decrease in atmospheric pressures. Oceanic recommends completion of a specialized Altitude training course by a recognized training agency prior to diving in high altitude lakes or rivers. • Altitude compensation provided takes place at 1000 foot (305 meter) intervals beginning at 3001 feet (916 meters) elevation.
ALTITUDE DIVING Atmospheric pressure decreases as Altitude increases above sea level. Weather systems and ambient temperature also affect barometric pressures. Consequently, Depth reading instruments that do not compensate for the decrease in ambient pressure indicate Depth readings shallower than the Depth they are actually at. Oceanic PDCs automatically compensate for decreased ambient pressures for Altitudes between 3,000 (915 meters) and 14,000 feet (4,270 meters).
WARNINGS and SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS relating to OPERATION • Ensure that you read and understand the Operating Manual for your specific PDC prior to diving with it. • Current model Oceanic PDCs will automatically activate Dive Mode upon descent to 5 FT (1.5 M), unless the Wet Activation feature is set OFF. • If a PDC is activated at a depth deeper than 5 FT (1.
TLBG (TISSUE LOADING BAR GRAPH™) The TLBG offers you a convenient way to consistently monitor how close you are coming to the No Decompression Limit. As you use your dive computer and become familiar with the TLBG, you will notice that it displays fewer segments for shorter dive times and shallower depths. Use this feature to adjust conservatism to your diving needs. Select models also feature a Setting that allows a Conservative Factor to be added that reduces No Decompression Times.
WARNINGS and SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS relating to DIVE PLANNING • The Pre Dive Planning Sequence provides predicted times for subsequent dives. You may actually have less time available than indicated because of breathing air quantity and consumption, or oxygen accumulation. • Oceanic strongly recommends that you review the PDPS prior to every dive to help you Plan your dive as required to avoid exceeding no decompression or oxygen exposure limits.
NO DECOMPRESSION LIMITS Refer to the tables in the Operating Manual provided with your specific PDC for No Decompression Limits for various altitudes. Note that the NDLs do not extend beyond the limit to which the range of the specific PDC's Pre Dive Planning Sequence, a maximum of either 160 FT (48 M), or 190 FT (57 M).
WARNINGS and SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS relating to OXYGEN • Maximum limits for exposure to oxygen should not be exceeded, and the consequences of CNS (Central Nervous System) oxygen toxicity can be severe, resulting in Gran Mal convulsions and drowning. • Conducting repetitive dives using enriched nitrogen-oxygen mixtures (Nitrox) can lead to oxygen buildup, increasing oxygen saturation and the risk of pulmonary oxygen toxicity.
No Decompression Time Remaining (NDC) NDC is the maximum amount of time that you can stay at your present depth before entering decompression. It is calculated based on the amount of nitrogen absorbed by hypothetical tissue compartments. The rates each of the compartments absorb and release nitrogen is mathematically modeled and compared against a maximum allowable nitrogen level. Whichever one is closest to this maximum level is the controlling compartment for that depth.
Air Time Remaining (ATR) - integrated model PDCs only ATR is the time you can remain at your present depth and still surface with the tank pressure reserve (End Gas Alarm Set Point) that you set prior to the dive. ATR is calculated using a patented algorithm that is based on the diver's individual air consumption rate and depth. Tank pressure is measured once each second and an average rate of consumption is calculated over a 90 second period.
When ATR decreases to 5 minutes, an alarm strikes which means that only 5 minutes remain before your air supply will be reduced to the minimum level necessary to perform a safe ascent, including any planned (Deep and Safety) stops and required (Deco) stops, and still provide a tank pressure reserve upon surfacing. When ATR decreases to 0 (min), an alarm will strike again.
No Deco Deep Stop Most all current Oceanic PDCs are configured with a Deep Stop feature that can be set On or Off prior to your dives. When it is set On, it will trigger during No Deco dives when you descend to 80 FT (24 M) and calculate (and continually update) a Stop Depth equal to 1/2 the Max Depth. While 10 FT (3 M) deeper than the calculated DS, you will be able to access a Preview screen that will display the current Deep Stop Depth (calculated) and Stop Time.
No Deco Safety Stop If you have not entered Deco, a Safety Stop made between 10 and 20 FT (3 and 6 M) is strongly recommended as a standard procedure before completing your ascent. Depending on the model PDC that you have, the Safety Stop feature could provide a fixed Stop Depth and Time, or you may be able to set them for a preferred depth and Time. Some current models also allow you to select a Timer for use at a depth convenient to your activities such as abord a charter vessel.
Timer use set On: Upon ascending to 20 FT (6 M) on a No Deco dive in which Depth exceeded 30 FT (9 M), a Run Timer will appear displaying 0:00 (min:sec) until started. If you descend deeper than 30 FT (9 M), the No Deco Main will replace the Timer screen which will reappear upon ascent to 20 FT (6 M). If you ascend above 10 FT (3 M), or enter Deco, or a High O2 alarm condition occurs (100%), while the Timer is active, the Timer will be disabled for the remainder of that dive.
Managing Decompression Stops You should stay slightly deeper than the required Deco Stop Depth indicated until the next shallower Stop Depth appears. Then, you can slowly ascend to, but not shallower than, that indicated Stop Depth. The amount of decompression credit time that you receive while at a decompression stop is dependent on depth, with slightly less credit given the deeper you are below the stop depth indicated.
While above the Stop Depth, no off gassing credit will be given. Once off gassing credit begins (you descend below the Stop Depth), required Deco Stop Depths and Time will decrease toward zero, then operation will revert to the No Deco Mode. Delayed Violation # 1 - above a required Deco Stop Depth for more than 5 minutes.
Violation Gauge Mode (VGM) Five minutes after reaching the surface from a dive in which a Delayed Violation occurred, operation will enter VGM. It will also enter VGM during a dive, if a Deco Stop of 70 FT (21M) or greater is required. This situation would be preceded by entering Delayed Violation. The PDC would then operate only as a digital depth gauge/timer without any nitrogen or oxygen calculations or displays. After surfacing, VGM does not provide the FO2, PDPS, Time to Fly, and Desat features.
FLYING AFTER DIVING In 1990 the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) published a set of guidelines aimed at minimizing the possibility of decompression sickness due to flying too soon after diving. The UHMS suggests* that divers using standard air cylinders and exhibiting no symptoms of decompression sickness wait 24 hours after their last dive to fly in aircraft with cabin pressures up to 8,000 feet. (2,440 meters).
Both the UHMS and DAN agree that “There can never be a flying after diving rule that is guaranteed to prevent decompression sickness completely. Rather, there can be a guideline that represents the best estimate for a conservative . . . surface interval for the vast majority of divers. There will always be an occasional diver whose physiological makeup or special diving circumstances will result in the bends”.
Desat Time is not displayed after a Gauge or Violation dive. Desaturation requiring times greater than 24 hours will display 24 (or 23:50)*. until the time decreases to the maximum the display will allow depending on the configuration of the model PDC being used. Generally, the Desat countdown will reach 0:00 prior to the Fly countdown reaching 0:00.
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE A PDC must be protected from shock, excessive thermal conditions, chemical attack, and tampering. The housing, made of an impact resistant resin, is extremely shock resistant but susceptible to chemical attack and scratches. Protect the lens against scratches with an Oceanic Instrument Lens Protector. Small scratches will naturally disappear underwater.
Annual Inspections Your PDC should be inspected annually by an Authorized Oceanic Dealer who will perform a factory prescribed function check and inspection for damage or wear. To keep the 2 year limited warranty in effect, this inspection must be completed one year after purchase (+/- 30 days). Oceanic recommends that you continue to have this inspection performed every year to ensure your dive computer is working properly.
WARNINGS and SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS relating to EXTREMES • Special training, equipment, and support are necessary for diving deeper than the maximum recommended depth limit for recreational diving, generally agreed to be 130 FT (39 M) by most diving instruction authorities. • Decompression diving, or diving deeper than 130 FT (39 M), will greatly increase your risk of decompression sickness.
WARNINGS and SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS relating to DECOMPRESSION • There are few legitimate excuses for making unplanned Decompression dives, and the consequences of this type of diving can be severe. By making an unplanned Decompression dive without the necessary preparation and training, you will have placed yourself in an unnecessarily dangerous situation. • Allow a surface interval of at least 24 hours before reentering the water in the event a dive requires emergency decompression.
WARNINGS and SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS relating to VIOLATIONS • An Oceanic PDC enters a Violation Mode when a situation exceeds its capacity to predict an ascent procedure. These dives represent excursions into decompression that are beyond the boundaries and spirit of the PDC's design. If you are following these dive profiles, Oceanic advises that you should not use an Oceanic PDC. • If you exceed certain limits, the PDC will not be able to help you get safely back to the surface.
WARNINGS and SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS relating to FLYING AFTER DIVING • The longer you wait to fly (or travel to higher elevations) after diving, the more you will reduce your exposure to (risk of) decompression sickness. WARNINGS and SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS relating to MAINTENANCE and SERVICE • Never, under any circumstances, poke any object through any slots or holes of the PDC. Doing so may damage the depth sensor, possibly resulting in erroneous depth and/or dive time remaining displays.
GLOSSARY Air Dive - A dive conducted using air (approximately 21% oxygen & 79% nitrogen) as the breathing gas. Air Time Remaining ‑ A graphic display of remaining dive time based on a calculation of cylinder pressure and the diver's breathing rate and depth. Algorithm ‑ A step by step mathematical formula designed to accomplish a particular result (i.e., Dive Time Remaining). Altitude Dive ‑ A dive made at an elevation above sea level (> 3,000 feet / 915 meters elevation) with NDLs adjusted.
GLOSSARY (continued) Elapsed Dive Time ‑ The total time spent underwater during a dive between 5 FT (1.5 M) on initial descent to 2 FT (0.6 M) on final ascent. FO2 - The fraction (percent / 100) of oxygen (O2) in the breathing gas mixture. Graphic Diver Interface™ ‑ Feature of Oceanic dive computers that indicate the diver's status (bar graphics, icons, graphic displays). Icon - a small pictorial representation of an operational mode or information.
GLOSSARY (continued) Partial Pressure - The proportion of the total pressure contributed by a single gas in a mixture of gases. PDC - An Oceanic abbreviation for Personal Dive Computer. PO2 - Partial pressure of oxygen. The proportion of total pressure of a gas mixture contributed by oxygen. Pre Dive Planning Sequence™ (PDPS) ‑ A display of available dive times at 10 FT (3 M) intervals from 30 up to 190 FT (9 up to 57 M) used when dive planning.
EU (EUROPEAN UNION) DIRECTIVES ISO 9001:2000 is a distinguished global standard of quality management systems, not only in design and manufacturing, but virtually all aspects of company operations. Oceanic and its family of companies are proud of their ISO 9001:2000 certification. In European markets, certain product categories are required to pass rigorous testing standards. All Oceanic products that require testing have surpassed the CE standards.
