Sukellusmittari

Sukellusmittari is a Finnish term that translates to depth gauge in English. It is a crucial instrument for scuba divers, providing essential information about the depth they are currently at during a dive. Understanding depth is vital for several reasons, including managing air consumption, avoiding decompression sickness, and staying within safe diving limits.

Depth gauges typically display the current depth in meters or feet. Early versions were mechanical, using a Bourdon tube mechanism or a diaphragm to indicate depth pressure. Modern depth gauges are often integrated into dive computers, which provide a wider range of data, including maximum depth reached during the dive, dive time, and ascent rate.

The accuracy of a depth gauge is paramount for diver safety. Divers rely on this instrument to ensure they do not exceed recommended depths for their training and experience level, and to manage their nitrogen absorption. Some depth gauges also feature a bottom timer function, which tracks the elapsed time spent at a particular depth, further aiding in dive planning and safety. Regular calibration and maintenance of depth gauges are recommended to ensure their continued reliability. Divers may use a standalone depth gauge or one that is part of a submersible pressure gauge (SPG) console or a dive computer.