Operating instructions

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Safety Considerations

You must carefully read this entire manual before using your Matrix.

WARNING: Diving has many inherent risks. Decompression

sickness is among the most serious of those risks. Even if you

follow the instructions in this manual carefully, it is possible

that you may be seriously injured or die from decompression

sickness, or some other inherent risk of SCUBA diving. Unless

you are fully aware of these risks and are willing to personally

accept and assume responsibility for those risks, do not use the

Matrix!

The Matrix is a sophisticated decompression tool to assist a trained and certified

SCUBA diver in making decisions concerning dive planning and execution. As with any

tool, the Matrix may be misused if the following safety and operational precautions are

not strictly followed. If they are followed, careful use of the Matrix can increase your

diving enjoyment and reduce the risk of decompression sickness; if they are not

followed, you will be placing yourself at serious risk for decompression sickness.

Pay special attention to

warnings and cautions, which

are denoted by this symbol

WARNINGS are used before a

procedure or situation that may

result in serious injury or

death.

CAUTIONS are used before

any situation or technique that

will result in damage to the

product.

MATRIX MANUAL

The Matrix is a technically advanced tool based on a biophysical model of decompression theory. However, neither it nor

any other diving computer (or table) can actually monitor the physical changes that occur in your body as you dive. Each

diver varies in his or her susceptibility to decompression sickness, and that susceptibility may vary from day to day.

Decompression modeling is an inexact science; it is based, at least partly, on certain unproven assumptions. Therefore,

you must dive responsibly and to carefully follow all standard safe diving practices as well as the warnings and cautions

contained in this manual.

Guidelines for Using the Matrix

The following guidelines for using the Matrix are derived from the latest medical research and the recommendations of

the American Academy of Underwater Sciences for diving with dive computers. Following these guidelines will greatly

increase your safety while diving, but cannot guarantee that decompression sickness will not occur.

1. In accordance with the recommended maximum diving limit of all instructional agencies, do not dive deeper than

130 feet (40 meters).

2. Do not use the Matrix for planned decompression diving. The decompression algorithm contained in the Matrix

should be used only for emergency or unintended decompression.

3. On all no-decompression dives with the Matrix, make a safety stop for three to five minutes between 10 and 30

feet (3 and 12 m) before surfacing.

4. Never use the Matrix for repetitive, “square” dives deeper than 60 feet (18 meters). A square dive is a dive that is

performed for its duration at a uniform depth.

5. Always make the deepest dive of the day first when repetitive dives are planned, and for each successive dive make

sure that the deepest portion of that dive is done at the beginning of the dive.

6. The Matrix is designed for dives made with compressed air only. Do not use the Matrix for dives made with nitrox or

other mixed gases.

7. All divers using dive computers to plan dives and indicate or determine no-decompression/decompression status

must use their own computer.

8. If the Matrix fails at any time during the dive, the dive must be terminated and appropriate procedures (including a

slow ascent and a 3 to 5 minute safety stop) should be initiated immediately (see page 38).

9. On any given dive, all divers in a buddy group must follow the most conservative dive computer for that particular

dive.

10. Do not dive for 24 hours before using the Matrix for the first time.

11. You MUST follow the ascent rates as indicated by the Matrix. If the computer fails, ascend to surface no faster than

60 ft/min (18 m/min).

Summary of content (14 pages)

PAGE 1
MATRIX MANUAL Safety Considerations You must carefully read this entire manual before using your Matrix. WARNING: Diving has many inherent risks. Decompression sickness is among the most serious of those risks. Even if you follow the instructions in this manual carefully, it is possible that you may be seriously injured or die from decompression sickness, or some other inherent risk of SCUBA diving.
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12. You MUST be familiar with all signs and symptoms of decompression sickness before using the Matrix! Seek IMMEDIATE treatment for decompression sickness should any of these signs or symptoms occur after a dive! There is a direct correlation between effective treatment and the delay between the onset of symptoms and the treatment for decompression sickness. 13. Always observe the optical alarm signals of the Matrix.
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Introduction Congratulations on the purchase of your Matrix dive computer. Our designers have condensed all the crucial dive information into a user-friendly dive instrument. By combining a color-coded system with bold alphanumerics, we have created an easy-to-use computer that provides dive data at a glance. As with all life support diving equipment, it is crucial to understand the features and functions of the Matrix. Before using the Matrix, it is essential to read this manual in its entirety.
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Operating the Matrix ATTACHING THE MATRIX TO YOUR REGULATOR If you have purchased the Matrix in the Pivot® console, have your Authorized U.S. Divers Dealer attach the console to your first-stage regulator. If this is not possible, follow the steps below to do it yourself: 1. Remove the high pressure (HP) port plug from your first-stage regulator using the appropriate wrench. The HP port on all U.S. Divers first-stage regulators is clearly marked with the letters “HP.
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Altitude Diving The mathematical model in the Matrix accounts for the reduced no-decompression time available at higher elevations based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) guidelines. When diving in high altitude lakes or rivers (from 3,000 to 14,000 ft; 915 to 4267 m), the Matrix automatically adjusts to these conditions providing correct depth and reduced no-decompression times.
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1. If a diver had less than two hours total accumulated dive time in the last 48 hours, then a 12 hour surface interval before flying is recommended. 2. Following any dive that requires a decompression stop, flying should be delayed for at least 24 hours, and if possible, for 48 hours.
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e. Compartment Loading Bar Graph (CLBG). As you dive, the Matrix monitors the nitrogen absorption of 12 tissue groups simultaneously and displays the controlling tissue group via the CLBG. The CLBG has three sections: The green zone means you are within the no-decompression limits; the yellow zone means you are approaching decompression and should start your ascent; the red zone means you’ve exceeded the no-decompression stop limits and must perform a decompression stop.
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VIOLATION MODES The Matrix enters one of three different Violation Modes when you dive the computer beyond its normal operating limits, because continued exposure is outside the mathematical model used to calculate decompression status. These modes are explained in detail in the next chapter, “Extreme Situations.” GAUGE MODE If the Matrix enters a Permanent Violation Mode, it will only operate in Gauge Mode on subsequent dives. The Matrix removes all displays that relate to decompression.
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EMERGENCY DECOMPRESSION After entering decompression, the prescribed decompression stop depths may move quickly through the 10, 20, 30 and 40 foot (3, 6, 9, 12 m) displays. Once you enter decompression, it is imperative that you ascend toward the required stop depth immediately. If you continue the dive at a greater depth, you increase decompression risk and may also exceed the operating limits of the computer to such an extent that the computer will cease to provide ascent information.
PAGE 10
Delayed Violation Mode ■ ■ Spending more than five minutes above the decompression stop depth. If you stay shallower than the required decompression stop depth for more than five minutes, the Matrix enters Delayed Violation Mode (figure 14). Immediately after entering Delayed Violation Mode, the Compartment Loading Bar Graph starts to flash and the total ascent time continues to flash (continued from Conditional Violation Mode).
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ues to count down from 12 - 0 hrs. It also displays a single dash (a) which denotes that the computer has been violated and, if turned on, will only work in Gauge Mode. Caution Zone The yellow caution zone offers you a convenient way to monitor how close you are to the no-decompression limit. U.S. Divers strongly recommends that you leave the water with CLBG well inside the green zone. WARNING: Never exit the water with the Compartment Loading Bar Graph in the red decompression zone.
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CARE & MAINTENANCE The Matrix is a robust instrument designed to withstand the rigors of SCUBA diving. However, you still need to protect it from shock, extreme heat, chemical attack, and tampering. Even though the Matrix’s material is tough and durable, it is susceptible to chemical attack and scratches. Chemical attack can be in the form of spray propellants, gasoline fumes in your garage or boat, and alcohol. U.S. Divers can replace scratched gauge faces.
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OPERATING TEMPERATURE The Matrix operates normally between 32oF to 140oF (0oC to 60oC). You may notice the liquid crystal display (LCD) becoming sluggish at extremely low temperatures. This is normal and will not affect the computer’s accuracy. It is possible to damage the electronics if left exposed to direct sunlight or in a hot, confined space (like a car trunk). After the dive, cover the computer and keep it out of the sun.
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4. Run your finger around the outer edge of the top battery in a circular motion until one edge of the battery pops up. Remove the top battery. Turn the unit over so the bottom battery drops out into your hand. Discard the used batteries, regardless of age or amount of use. Closely examine the metal contacts inside the battery compartment; check for signs of bending, breakage or corrosion, which indicates the entrance of moisture into the battery compartment.