The Need for Dive Gauges

Dive gauges tell the diver three things that are vital to successfully performing a dive: depth, air consumption, and time. It is important to be aware of all three of these aspects of the dive gauge in order to safely dive in the ocean.

Some divers believe that it is not important to have a gauge if they are experienced divers and feel that having one will interfere with the natural feel they have for the dive. They rely on their instincts and do not feel the need to have a computer telling them what they already know. This can be very risky, however, and it is not recommended to ever go without diving depth gauges.

In order to manage the flow of nitrogen and air in the diver's tank, it is important to always know the depth and time of the dive. Knowing the depth and time of the dive will allow for the diver to judge the need for decompression stops and the number of residual dives that can be performed. It is also important for the diver to always know how much air is left in the scuba tank. The air pressure gauge will tell the diver how much air is left in the tank. The diver must always be watching the air pressure gauge in order to determine how much air is left and if the equipment and hoses are all working properly, which then tells the diver how much more time they can spend under water and when the best time to start ascending will be.

If everything is working properly and the diving depth gauges are in order, the dive gauges will only slowly move downward. If the gauge moves quickly or dips with each breath, than there is a problem with the equipment or hoses and action must be taken immediately. It is also important to stop diving while there is still air left in the tank, or the diver can risk the tank eventually being taken with mold, mildew, rust, and bacteria. Once the air has left the tank, water is able to get into the tank. Water is not clean, especially from the ocean, and contains many bacteria and other contaminants. If the water is left in the tank mold and mildew will build and it will become rusty. The only way to prevent this from happening is to completely empty out the tank and dry and sterilize the inside before refilling it again. This is a risky process and can not always be done properly.

There are many different types of dive gauges and it is important to find the one that will work best for the diver that is using it. Although some divers may believe that diving depth gauges are not needed, it is important for the safety of the diver and those that are accompanying the diver to always have a gauge in order to determine the depth, air consumption, and time of the dive.