Editing Dive computer (section)

== Operational considerations for use in commercial diving operations ==
Their acceptance of dive computers for use in [[commercial diving]] varies between countries and industrial sectors. Validation criteria have been a major obstacle to acceptance of diving computers for commercial diving. Millions of recreational and scientific dives each year are successful and without incident, but the use of dive computers remains prohibited for commercial diving operations in several jurisdictions because the algorithms used cannot be guaranteed safe to use, and the legislative bodies who can authorise their use have a duty of care to workers. Manufacturers do not want to invest in the expensive and tedious process of official validation, while regulatory bodies will not accept dive computers until a validation process has been documented.<ref name="Validation" />

''Verification'' is the determination that a dive computer functions correctly, in that it correctly executes its programmed algorithm, while ''validation'' confirms that the algorithm provides the accepted level of risk.<ref name="Validation" />

If the decompression algorithm used in a series of dive computers is considered to be acceptable
for commercial diving operations, with or without additional usage guidelines, then there are
operational issues that need to be considered:<ref name="Validation workshop" />
# The computer must be simple to operate or it will probably not be accepted.
# The display must be easily read in low visibility conditions to be effectively used.
# The display must be clear and easily understood, even if the diver is influenced by nitrogen narcosis, to reduce the risk of confusion and poor decisions.
# The decompression algorithm should be adjustable to more conservative settings, as some divers may want a more conservative profile.
# The dive computer must be easy to download to collect profile data so that analysis of dives can be done.