PADI Divemaster Certification Practice Exam

What is one primary function of a dive computer during a dive?

1. To calculate the amount of air left in the tank.

2. To monitor the diver's heart rate.

3. To track depth and time spent underwater.

4. To ensure compliance with legal diving regulations.

The correct answer is: To track depth and time spent underwater.

One primary function of a dive computer during a dive is to track depth and time spent underwater. This is vital for several reasons, including ensuring that the diver remains within safe depth limits and avoiding the risk of decompression sickness by managing bottom time and ascent profiles. The dive computer continuously calculates the current depth and time elapsed since the dive began, updating this information in real-time. By providing crucial data about the dive profile, a dive computer helps divers make informed decisions about when to ascend and how long to remain at any given depth. It often includes features that alert the diver when they are approaching certain limits, contributing to safe diving practices. While monitoring other factors like air consumption, physiological responses, or legal regulations can be essential for a comprehensive understanding of dive safety, the specific function of tracking depth and time is foundational to the operation of the dive computer and is its primary role during a dive.