PADI Divemaster Certification Practice Exam

What is a potential downside of relying solely on dive computers?

1. They can malfunction and provide incorrect information.

2. They negate the need for any planning.

3. They can't store dive history.

4. They always require manual adjustments for deeper dives.

The correct answer is: They can malfunction and provide incorrect information.

Relying solely on dive computers does come with the potential downside of malfunctioning, which can lead to incorrect information being displayed. Dive computers are sophisticated devices that depend on sensors and software algorithms to calculate no-decompression limits, current depth, and dive time based on the diver's profile. If these devices experience technical failures or software errors, it can result in the diver receiving misleading information, which potentially increases the risk of decompression sickness or other dive-related issues. Understanding that dive computers can fail emphasizes the importance of having backup methods, such as depth gauges and dive tables, to ensure safe diving practices and proper situational awareness underwater. This ensures that divers are not solely dependent on the technology and can rely on their training and knowledge in case of any issues.