Shearwater Research has announced today that they are entering the recreational dive market with the launch of the Nitrox Recreational Mode for the Petrel dive computer.
The Nitrox Recreational Mode will be available free of charge, as a firmware update, on all Shearwater Petrels from mid to late April 2014.
We have been advised that this new Nitrox mode is clearer and easier to use than ever before. The new mode offers optional safety stops, obvious warnings and plenty of customisation, and will make the Petrel a useful computer for air and Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) diving. When divers are ready to take their diving to the next level, the Petrel will support their trimix and rebreather requirements.
Key Features of this new mode include:
- Big, Clear Displays
- Optional Safety Stops
- Decompression when you need it
- Configurable Bottom Row
- No-Decompression Limit Planner
- Simple Menu System
Apparently this new recreational mode has simple settings that allow the diver to use three air or nitrox breathing gas mixtures, whilst giving a greater emphasis on the no-decompression limits (NDL). A bar graph display will turn from green to red as the diver approaches their NDL. In addition a 3 minute countdown safety stop will start when the diver hits 6 metres / 20 feet on their ascent. If the Petrel goes into a mandatory decompression situation, the display turns red and displays, “DECO STOP” with the depth and time at that stop.
The Underwater Marketing Company 