A&D Monitor 3 User Manual

Owner's Manual

This owner's manual is copyrighted, all rights reserved. It may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electron medium or machine readable form without prior consent in writing from U.S. Divers Co., Inc.

Trademark Notice

U.S. Divers® and Aqua-Lung® are registered tradmarks of U.S. Divers Co., Inc.

Warranty

U.S. Divers Co., Inc. guarantees the Monitor 3 Air under the U.S. Divers 30-Day Satisifaction Guarantee and makes available the T wo year W arranty 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with the performance of this product for the first 30 days after purchase, return it to your U.S. Divers Pro-Line Dealer for an exchange of equal U.S. Divers Co., computer products. It does require a proof of purchase receipt to be returned with the product.

Two-Year Limited Warranty

After receipt of a completed warranty card, U.S. Divers will extend a two year limited warranty. U.S. Divers Co., Inc. warrants this product to be free of material defects and/or craftsmanship under normal, recreational SCUBA use (non-commercial or non-military use) and with annual maintenance described within this manual. Should the Monitor 3 Air prove to be defective, it will be repaired or replaced, at U.S. Divers’ discretion, free of charge, excluding shipping and handling charges.

Limitations

This warranty specifically does not extend to the plastic computer face, battery, accidental damage, abuse, modification or tampering. The original warranty card must be on file at U.S. Divers to be eligible for the two-year coverage and any warranty service. This card is supplied in this manual and must be mailed within 15 days of purchase. Warranty is nontransferable and applies to the original owner only. Warranty service does not include the price of labor. It covers replacemen t or repair of parts only.

Warranty Conditions

Product must have been purchased from an Authorized U.S. Divers Pro-Line Dealer. If this product is obtained from any other source, you are considered the second owner, in which case the warranty is void. This warranty only applies to non-commercial use. Warranty does not apply to commercial, military, or rental use. The manufacturer will replace or repair any unit containing a manufacturing or materials defect if notified within 24 months from the date of purchase by the original owner. It is the buyer’s responsibility to establish with U.S. Divers or an Authorized U.S. Divers Pro-Line Dealer that the unit has such a defect, and for returning it to the service center post-paid and well protected against damage in transit, accompanied by proof of the original purchase date and details of the fault noted. Servicing, or tampering by unauthorized parties will invalidate the warranty. The buyer shall not subject the unit to “dry” pressure testing. Any such testing must be carried out with the unit submersed in water. Repair under warranty will not apply to any unit which has been subjected to sever shock or abuse, and not maintained in accordance with the care instructions.

Disclaimer of Liability

U.S. Divers Co., its distributors, and retailers MAKE NO WARRANTIES, either expressed or implied, with respect to the Monitor 3 Air, the programs contained therein, or this instruction manual except for those stated in the preceding paragraph. IT IS EXPRESSLY UNDERSTOOD that by buying or using the Monitor 3 Air, the owner, or any other person who uses it, accepts it “AS IS” with the entire risk as to its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose being with the buyer or user. This excludes replacement of defective parts to the original owner, in the first two years after purchase under the conditions set forth in the preceding limited warranty section. BY PURCHASING THE MONITOR 3 AIR, IT IS AGREED AND UNDERSTOOD THAT IN NO EVENT WILL U.S. DIVERS CO., ITS DISTRIBUTORS, OR RETAILERS BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURIES FROM ITS OPERATION, OR FOR ANY OTHER DAMAGES WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL, EVEN IF U.S. DIVERS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF SUCH DAMAGES. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or liabilities for incidental damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

Monitor 3 Air Owner's Manual, Part Number 7454-95

Pay special attention to warnings and cautions, which are denoted by this symbol:

WARNINGS alert you to any procedure or situation that may result in serious injury or death.

CAUTIONS alert you to any situation or technique that will result in damage to the product.

Safety Considerations

You must carefully read this entire manual before using your Monitor 3 Air.

WARNING: Diving has many inherent risks. Decompression sickness is among the most serious of those risks. Even if you follow the instructions in this manual carefully, it is possible that you may be seriously injured or die from decompression sickness, or some other inherent risk of SCUBA diving. Unless you are fully aware of these risks and are willing to personally accept and assume responsibility for those risks, do not use the Monitor 3 Air!

The Monitor 3 Air is a sophisticated decompression tool to assist a trained and certified SCUBA diver in making decisions concerning dive planning and execution. As with any tool, the Monitor 3 Air may be misused if the following safety and operational precautions are not strictly followed. If they are followed, careful use of the Monitor 3 Air can increase your diving enjoyment and reduce the risk of decompression sickness (DCS); if they are not followed, you will be placing yourself at serious risk for DCS.

The Monitor 3 Air is a technically advanced tool based on a biophysical model of decompression theory. However, neither it nor any other diving computer (or table) can actually monitor the physical changes that occur in your body as you dive. Each diver varies in his or her susceptibility to decompression sickness, and that susceptibility may vary from day to day. Decompression modeling is an inexact science; it is based, at least partly, on certain unproven assumptions. Therefore, you must dive responsibly and to carefully follow all standard safe diving practices as well as the warnings and cautions contained in this manual.

Guidelines for Using the Monitor 3 Air

The following guidelines for using the Monitor 3 Air are derived from the latest medical research and the recommendations of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences for diving with dive computers. Following these guidelines will increase your safety while diving, but cannot guarantee that decompression sickness will not occur.

1 . In accordance with the recommended maximum diving

limit of all instructional agencies, do not dive deeper than 130 feet (40 meters).

2 . Do not use the Monitor 3 Air for planned decompres-

sion diving. The decompression algorithm contained in the Monitor 3 Air should be used only for emergency or unintended decompression.

3 . On all no-decompression dives with the Monitor 3 Air,

make a safety stop for three to five minutes between 10 and 30 feet (3 and 12 m) before surfacing.

4 . Never use the Monitor 3 Air for repetitive, “rectangular”

dives deeper than 60 feet (18 meters). A rectangular dive is a dive that is performed for its duration at a uniform depth.

5 . Always make the deepest dive of the day first when

repetitive dives are planned, and for each successive dive make sure that the deepest portion of that dive is done at the beginning of the dive.

6. The Monitor 3 Air is designed for dives made with compressed air only. Do not use the Monitor 3 Air for dives made with nitrox or other mixed gases.

7 . All divers using dive computers to plan dives and

indicate or determine no-decompression/decompression status must use their own computer.

8 . If the Monitor 3 Air fails at any time during the dive,

the dive must be terminated and appropriate procedures (including a slow ascent and a 3 to 5 minute safety stop) should be initiated immediately.

9 . On any given dive, all divers in a buddy group must

follow the most conservative dive computer for that particular dive.

10 . No dive computer can account for dives made without

it. Do not dive for a period of at least 24 hours before starting a dive series with the Monitor 3 Air,

11. You MUST follow the ascent rates as indicated by the Monitor 3 Air. If the computer fails, ascend to surface no faster than 60 ft/min (18 m/min).

12 . You MUST be familiar with all signs and symptoms of

DCS before using the Monitor 3 Air! Seek IMMEDIATE treatment for decompression sickness should any of these signs or symptoms occur after a dive! There is a direct correlation between effective treatment and the delay between the onset of symptoms and the treatment for decompression sickness.

13. Always observe the optical alarm signals of the Monitor 3 Air. Avoid situations of increased risk for DCS which are marked with a warning sign in this manual.

14. Never dive the Monitor 3 Air to its limits, as well as other dive computers and tables. Give yourself a margin of safety by always leaving a few minutes of nostop time before making an ascent.

15. Avoid repeated ascent and descents (yo-yo diving) while using the Monitor 3 Air.

16 . DO NOT perform repetitive decompression dives. Doing

so increases the risk of DCS.

17. Carefully inspect your Monitor 3 Air computer for any signs of damage or malfunction before every dive.

Table of Contents

Safety Considerations ..............................................................i

Guidelines for Using the Monitor 3 Air .....................................ii

Introduction 1

What is a “Dive Computer” ....................................... 2

Definition of Compartments .................................................... 2

Multi-Level Diving ................................................................... 2

Diving Responsibly ................................................................ 3

Features of the Monitor 3 Air....................................4

The Computer Screen ............................................................ 4

The Electrical Contacts .......................................................... 4

The T ransmitter ...................................................................... 6

Preparation 7

Attaching the Transmitter to Your Regulator .............8

Pairing the Wrist Unit to the Transmitter................... 9

Using the Monitor 3 Air Without the Transmitter.....12

Checking the Battery Power...................................12

Diving with the Monitor 3 Air 13

Preparation for the Dive .........................................14

Functions During the Dive ......................................16

Current Depth........................................................................16

Dive time ...............................................................................17

Maximum depth.....................................................................17

Ascent Rate ..........................................................................18

No-Stop Time ........................................................................19

Cylinder Pressure .................................................................20

Antenna Symbol ....................................................................20

Graphic Air Time Remaining..................................................21

Digital Air Time Remaining ....................................................21

High Air Consumption Warning.............................................. 22

Decompression Stop Information ..........................................23

T otal Ascent Time ..................................................................24

SOS Mode ............................................................................24

Functions at the Surface ........................................25

Upon surfacing ......................................................................25

Surface Mode ........................................................................25

Surface mode icon ................................................................25

Wait-to-fly Time .....................................................................26

Desaturation Time .................................................................27

Surface Interval Time ............................................................27

Microbubble W arning.............................................................28

Diving at Altitude.....................................................29

Altitude sectors .....................................................................29

Exceeding the Altitude Limit ..................................................30

Summary of Attention Messages and Alarms .........31

Attention Messages...............................................................31

Alarms...................................................................................33

Memory Mode 35

Care & Maintenance 49

Overview ................................................................50

Care Before the Dive..............................................50

Care During the Dive..............................................50

Care After the Dive.................................................51

Annual Dealer Inspections & Factory Service ........51

Overview ................................................................36

Downloading the Memory to a PC..........................36

Activation................................................................38

Scrolling through Logged Dives..............................39

Exiting Memory Mode.............................................39

Pre-Dive Planning Mode 41

Overview ................................................................42

Activation from Ready-Mode ..................................42

Activation from Surface Mode ................................44

Planning a Decompression Dive ............................46

Operating Temperature...........................................52

Replacing the Battery .............................................52

Reference 53

Technical Specifications .........................................54

ZH-L8 ADT Algorithm .............................................55

U.S. Divers Online..................................................57

Warranty Registration.............................................59

Introduction

Congratulations on the purchase of your Monitor 3 Air dive computer. Our designers have condensed important dive planning information into a user-friendly dive instrument. By combining graphics with bold alphanumerics, we have created an easy-to-use computer that provides dive data at a glance.

As with all diving equipment, it is important to understand the features and functions of the Monitor 3 Air. Before using the Monitor 3 Air, it is essential to read this manual in its entirety. Contained within this easy to read manual are illustrations to aid you in the complete understanding of the computer.

Section 1 instructs you on preparing the Monitor 3 for its first use. Section 2 explains all the functions and screen displays while on a dive. Section 3 shows you how to recall the dive memory. Instructions on planning a future dive are given in Section 4. Care & Maintenance tips are covered in Section 5. Lastly, the reference section contains the technical specifications and a description of the algorithm.

What is a “Dive Computer”

DEFINITION OF COMPARTMENTS

A dive computer is an instrument that mathematically simulates the absorption and release of nitrogen by hypothetical tissue types in the human body. These hypothetical tissues are commonly referred to as “compartments.” Each compartment absorbs and releases nitrogen at different rates. The Monitor 3 Air tracks these compartments constantly, providing you with up-to-the-minute decompression information.

MULTI-LEVEL DIVING

If you use, or have used, dive tables you know the total amount of time you can stay under water is based on the maximum depth reached during the dive. Dive tables, such as the U.S. Navy dive tables, assume that you immediately descend to a single depth, stay at that depth for the duration of the dive, then immediately surface from that depth. This type of dive profile is referred to as a rectangular dive profile (figure 1). In reality, however, most recreational divers go to the deepest depth first and make a gradual ascent to the surface. This type of dive profile is referred to as a multilevel dive profile (figure 2).

Introduction

Multilevel diving is where the Monitor 3 Air excels. By continuously calculating the nitrogen absorption/release of all the compartments, the computer updates the amount of no-decompression time (NDT) you have left. As you ascend to shallower depths, the computer credits you with more allowable NDT; if you go deeper, it reduces the NDT available.

Figure 2

Multi-Level Profile

Figure 1

Rectangular Profile

DIVING RESPONSIBLY

Years of research and thousands of dives have gone into the mathematical formulas used by the Monitor 3 Air. However, the computer does not have special sensors attached to your body; it doesn’t know if you are tired, dehydrated, overweight, or out of shape. For this reason, U.S. Divers recommends that you never push the no-decompression limits of the computer. Always leave a comfortable safety margin in respect to no-decompression time, air time and ascent speed. Let the computer assist you in making your dive plan. Do not let it control your dive.

WARNING: Using the Monitor 3 Air will not prevent the possibility of decompression sickness, but using it sensibly reduces this risk. Any sport diver, however, must accept that there is no device or procedure which will totally prevent the possibility of a decompression accident.

Features of the Monitor 3 Air

The Monitor 3 Air is made up of two compact units: the computer/display unit which is usually worn on the wrist, and the high pressure (HP) transmitter which is screwed into the regulator first-stage HP port.

THE COMPUTER SCREEN

The Monitor 3 Air has a large liquid crystal display (LCD) and features large numbers and graphics. The screen is luminous for easy reading during low light dives, including night dives and cave dives.

The screen is organized into four zones (see figure on opposite page): The MODE zone, DEPTH zone, TIME zone and AIR zone. The Mode Zone has five icons which indicate altitude, low battery, Pre-dive Planning Mode, Memory Mode, and Surface Mode.

Next to the Mode Zone is the Depth Zone. This grouping of numbers includes the current depth, maximum depth decompression stop depth, and ascent rate information.

Beside the Depth Zone is the Time Zone. The Time Zone shows total dive time, total ascent time, no stop time, and, while in decompression, decompression stop time.

To the far right of the screen is the Air Zone. The Air Zone shows current cylinder pressure, a graphical representation

of air time remaining and a digital readout of remaining air time. In addition, their are two warning icons: one for interrupted transmission and the other for high breathing rate.

THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS

All surface operations and mode changes are made by the use of four electrical contacts placed around the Monitor 3 Air's screen. These contacts are identified as A, B, C and D (see figure on opposite page). As a rule, contact A is always touched in conjunction with one of the other three contacts. After entering different modes, such as Memory Mode or Pre-Dive Planning Mode, contact B always decreases a value, and contact C always increases a value (always in combination with A). To make contact, simply moisten your fingertips and touch the appropriate pair of contacts at the same time. Release the contact as soon as the operation has been activated, usually no more than one second.

Monitor 3 Air display

zones and contact letter

designations

Introduction

THE TRANSMITTER

The compact transmitter module screws into a standard

/16" HP port. The transmitter automatically activates when it senses pressure from the cylinder. Once activated, it sends pressure information via a low frequency radio wave to the wrist unit.

One of the unique features of the transmitter is that it sends along a special code each time it transmits pressure information. The computer "listens" to the code, and, if it is the correct code, accepts the pressure information. This feature allows more than one Monitor 3 Air system to be used without information becoming mixed up, i.e. you reading your dive buddy's air information.

The Transmitter

In this section:

☛

Attaching the Transmitter to the Regulator

☛

Pairing the Wrist Unit with the Transmitter

☛

Using the Monitor 3 Air Without the Transmitter

☛

Checking battery power

Section 1: Preparation

Attaching the Transmitter to Your Regulator

Upon purchasing the Monitor 3 Air have your Authorized U.S. Divers Dealer attach the transmitter to your first-stage regulator. If this is not possible, follow the simple steps listed below to do it yourself:

STEP 1

If your regulator is attached to a charged SCUBA cylinder, turn the valve handle to the closed position and vent any air in the regulator by pressing the second-stage purge button. Remove the regulator from the cylinder. If you currently have a gauge attached to your firststage regulator, remove it using the appropriate sized wrench, otherwise remove the high pressure (HP) port plug from your first-stage regulator using the appropriate size wrench. The HP port on all U.S. Divers regulators is clearly marked with the letters “HP”.

NOTE: The transmitter has 7/16" threads. On

some early model first-stages the HP port is only

/8". If this is the case with your regulator, you

need to get a 7/16" female to 3/8" male HP

adapter (U.S. Divers part number 1017-85) from

your U.S. Divers dealer.

STEP 2

STEP 3

Thread the transmitter into the HP port of the first-stage until finger-tight. Using a 3/4" openend wrench, tighten the hose fitting until snug. DO NOT overtighten.

Attach the first-stage to a charged SCUBA cylinder. Slowly turn the cylinder valve on-off handwheel counterclockwise until the valve is completely open. Submerge the first stage in water and check for any leaks. If you detect leaks, take your regulator and transmitter to your U.S. Divers dealer and have the O-ring inspected and/or replaced. Then have the U.S. Divers dealer attach the transmitter to your regulator.

Section 1: Preparation

CAUTION: DO NOT use the transmitter as a carrying handle. Doing so may damage the transmitter requiring its replacement. If the first-stage is attached to a cylinder, make sure to secure the cylinder so it doesn’t fall over and damage the transmitter (or regulator). A transmitter damaged due to user neglect is not covered under the warranty.

Pairing the Wrist Unit to the Transmitter

For a transmitter and a wrist unit to work together they must be first “paired”. Once paired, they will continue to work together until such time the transmitter is introduced to another wrist unit. When the transmitter sends a packet of data to the wrist unit, it sends along a special code that only the paired wrist unit recognizes. If the code is correct, then the wrist unit accepts the data packet. This way you will never get erroneous information from a nearby Monitor 3 transmitter (i.e. your dive buddy’s transmitter).

To pair a transmitter to a wrist unit, follow this step-bystep procedure:

STEP 1

STEP 2

Fit your regulator to a charged SCUBA cylinder. DO NOT open the valve yet.

Activate the Monitor 3 Air by touching contacts A&D.

Section 1: Preparation

STEP 3

Place the Monitor 3 Air wrist unit directly against the transmitter. Turn on the cylinder valve. Within six seconds the message “PAIr” will appear flashing in the upper tank pressure display.

STEP 4

Touch contacts A and D as soon as “PAIr” appears (within 5 seconds). The computer will confirm

with a beep and ‘PAIr” will stop flashing.

Section 1: Preparation

STEP 5

The first cylinder pressure reading will be displayed within 15 seconds.

If the procedure is not successful, a FAIL message will appear. If this happens, close the cylinder valve, purge all air from the regulator and repeat the procedure.

Section 1: Preparation

Once paired, the Monitor 3 Air will always display the tank pressure of the cylinder to which the transmitter is connected, whenever it is in range.

Note: The pairing procedure only needs to performed once,

before the first use. After that, the only time you need to

perform the pairing procedure is when you use a new

transmitter, new computer, or have the battery changed.

Always check the cylinder pressure before every dive.

For best possible reception, it is best to fit the transmitter on the same side of the regulator first-stage where you will wear the wrist unit. For example, if you wear the computer on your left wrist, mount the transmitter on the left side of the regulator.

Using the Monitor 3 Air Without the Transmitter

If, for any reason, you are unable to use the transmitter, you can still use the wrist unit as a dive computer. It will provide all the normal information found in the MODE, DEPTH and TIME zones. However, the influence of breathing rate and work load will not be taken into account in the decompression calculations. The AIR ZONE will remain blank and you will need to monitor your cylinder pressure using a conventional gauge.

Checking the Battery Power

You can manually check the battery power of the Monitor 3 Air. While in Ready Mode or Surface Mode, touch contacts A&D. The word "bat" will be displayed along with the battery power. Battery power is given as a percentage, with 99% being the highest percentage displayed. Its a good idea to check the battery power before you start a series of dives.

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