Editing Dive computer (section)

== Purpose ==
[[File:IDive DAN decompression requirement P3050604.JPG|thumb|iDive DAN personal dive computer display showing decompression requirement and other data during a dive The central band shows time to surface from current depth, stop depth and stop time.]]
[[File:Dive decompression tables plus a diving watch plus a diving depth gauge.jpg|thumb|The dive computer eliminated the previously mandatory interconnected use of three pieces of equipment: diving watch (top right), depth gauge (bottom right) and waterproof decompression table (left).]]
The primary purpose of a decompression computer is to facilitate safe [[Decompression (diving)|decompression]] by an underwater diver breathing a suitable gas at ambient pressure, by providing information based on the recent pressure exposure history of the diver that allows an ascent with acceptably low risk of developing [[decompression sickness]]. Dive computers address the same problem as [[decompression tables]], but are able to perform a continuous calculation of the theoretical [[partial pressure]] of inert gases in the body based on the actual [[dive profile|depth and time profile]] of the diver and the decompression model used by the computer.<ref name=aaus/> As the dive computer automatically measures depth and time, it is able to warn of excessive ascent rates and missed [[decompression stop]]s and the diver has less reason to carry a separate [[dive watch]] and [[depth gauge]]. Many dive computers also provide additional information to the diver including ambient temperature, partial pressure of oxygen in the breathing gas at ambient pressure, accumulated [[oxygen toxicity]] exposure data, a computer-readable dive log, and the [[pressure]] of the remaining [[breathing gas]] in the [[diving cylinder]]. This recorded information can be used for the diver's personal [[Dive log|log]] of their activities or as important information in [[Forensic pathology|medical review]] or [[legal case]]s following  [[Investigation of diving accidents|diving accidents]].<ref name=Caruso2006 /><ref name=Concannon2007 /><ref name="Azzopardi and Sayer 2010" />

Because of the computer's ability to continually re-calculate based on changing data, the diver benefits by being able to remain underwater for longer periods at acceptable risk. For example, a recreational diver who plans to stay within "no-decompression stop" limits can in many cases simply ascend a few feet each minute, while continuing the dive, and still remain within reasonably safe limits, rather than adhering to a pre-planned bottom time and then ascending directly. [[Multi-level dive]]s can be pre-planned with traditional dive tables or personal computer and smartphone apps, or on the fly using waterproof dive tables, but the additional calculations become complex, and the plan may be cumbersome to follow, and the risk of errors rises with profile complexity. Computers allow for a certain amount of spontaneity during the dive, and automatically take into account deviations from the dive plan.<ref name="Adventures in Diving" />

<blockquote>Dive computers are used to safely calculate decompression schedules in recreational, scientific, and military diving operations. There is no reason to assume that they cannot be valuable tools for commercial diving operations, especially on multi-level dives.<ref name="Validation workshop" /></blockquote>