How to Use a Diver Watch

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Diving watches used to be a critical piece of diving equipment, but with the spread of dive computers, they have become less necessary. They can still be useful, however, and remain a nice fashion touch for the serious scuba diver. Their features can be used alone or in combination with analog regulator gauges.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Analog regulator water Air-pressure gauges
Analog regulator water
Air-pressure gauges

Step 1

A Seiko dive watch.

Turn the bezel to begin the dive start time just before you get into the water. The principle function of the dive watch is to serve as a timer, and its standard feature (after being waterproofed at depth) is an adjustable indicator band on the watch's bezel. Lock it into place if there is a locking mechanism.

Step 2

Many dives are planned on the basis of multiple depth stages. If your dive is, check the depth gauge and the watch when you reach the lowest point of your dive and then again when you ascend to the next depth stage Keeping track of how long you spend between 120 and 100 feet, for example, will prove useful in working with the pressure table after the dive and determining your decompression group. This can be especially useful to avoid the bends when you are working on two or three dive days.

Step 3

Make another depth and timing reading, similar to Step 2, whenever you move to another major stage of the dive.

Step 4

Check the watch whenever you look at the gauge to see how much air is remaining in the tank. This will give you a good idea of your air consumption over a period of time.

Step 5

Many dive watches come with a thermometer built it. If yours has one, take a look at the thermometer if the water feels colder, just to see how cold it is. This can be useful for judging how stark the difference between thermoclines are. Also, as air consumption increases to help warm the body, dropping into water that is colder than for what your wetsuit or drysuit is rated is a good warning of increased air consumption.

Step 6

Open the helium release valve on your final ascent to prevent gas expansion in the watch. This is a good idea for dives below 60 feet and necessary for dives below 130 feet.

Tips & Warnings

Even if you own a dive computer, a dive watch is a handy back-up tool. This is especially true for technical divers, who need all the redundancy they can get. Rinse the salt water off your dive watch after your diving day is concluded.

Even if you own a dive computer, a dive watch is a handy back-up tool. This is especially true for technical divers, who need all the redundancy they can get.

Rinse the salt water off your dive watch after your diving day is concluded.

Article Written By Edwin Thomas

Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.

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