Roni Essex
Freediver, Spearo, Creator
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Roni Essex
Freediver, Spearo, Creator
Are you a passionate spearfisher looking to improve your performance and safety while diving? One of the most important tools to have in your gear arsenal is a freediving computer. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the essential factors to consider when selecting a freediving computer for spearfishing. From features and durability to battery life and price, we'll help you make an informed decision that suits your needs and budget.
Freediving computers, which are akin to watches, have the ability to record dive details automatically while you are underwater. Prior to beginning your dive, the computer will track the duration of your surface interval in minutes and seconds. During the dive, the device will start measuring the depth of your dive in meters, along with the duration of your underwater excursion in minutes and seconds. As you ascend to the surface, the computer will automatically count down the meters. Once you reach the surface, the device will resume counting your surface interval. By simply checking your dive watch, you can obtain crucial information such as the duration of your surface interval, the time spent underwater, the depth of your dive, and the number of dives you completed on that particular day. All this data is automatically saved by the computer for future reference.
Owning a dive computer comes with a multitude of advantages. Firstly, it is an essential tool for measuring progress in your diving. Certain models allow you to view your dive data in graph format on a computer, which makes it easy to identify any improvements or declines in dive times and depths. Freediving computers also enable you to track your progress over the course of a day. For instance, you can monitor whether you are able to stay underwater for longer and reach greater depths in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Thus, a dive computer can serve as a valuable tool for gauging your success and improvement in the water.
Secondly, dive computers are critical for ensuring your safety during a dive. Spearfishing is a risky sport, with more deaths occurring due to blackouts than from shark attacks or any other cause. Blackouts occur when there is an accumulation of CO2 in your system, which can be prevented by spending an adequate amount of time on the surface, allowing your oxygen levels to build up while purging the CO2 from your system. To ensure proper CO2 elimination, spearfishers and freedivers must spend three times as long on the surface as they do underwater. Many dive computers offer the option to set alarms that beep when you have dived too soon, alerting you to the risk of a blackout. It is crucial to always have a dive buddy with you and wear a dive computer to prevent fatalities from blackouts.
Lastly, dive computers also function as watches. In normal mode, they display the date and time, which is useful for tracking changes in tides, among other things. For example, if you are shore diving and aware that high tide is at 9am, you may want to return to shore by 11am before the tide/current becomes too strong. Timing your dive against the current can make it easier to swim back to shore.
When it comes to selecting a freediving computer for spearfishing, there are numerous options available, and it is important to take several factors into consideration. The first thing to think about is whether the dive watch has all of the features you require. Does it make it simple to track surface time, dive time, depth, and the number of dives? Does it automatically store this information, and can you review your dives later on? How many dives can the dive computer save before it reaches capacity? Does it have additional functions, such as a stopwatch?
The dive watch's brand is another important consideration. Is it built with strong materials that can withstand the wear and tear of diving, including waves, rocks, and rough handling? You should also take into account the size of the watch face. Is the writing easy to read, bold, and large enough? Is the face big enough to read without being obtrusive? Furthermore, is it easy to change the dive watch battery, or do you need to send it away or take it to a shop? What kind of batteries does it use, and how long do they last?
Lastly, you should factor in the price. It is important to choose a dive computer that has all the necessary functions but is not excessively expensive. A reasonable price for a dive computer is about $300, though many models cost around $500. Be sure to assess the benefits and drawbacks of various dive computers, as cheaper versions will often provide the same functions.