Dive Rite NiTek He User Guide

NiTekHeDiveComputer

NiTekHeDiveComputer

UserGuide

Dateofpurchase:

www.diverite.com

Content

DEVELOPED
BY

COPYRIGHT
NOTICE

WARRANTY
INFORMATION

Dive Rite
175 NW Washington Street
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.DiveRite.com

Copyright © 2003 Lamartek, Inc. dba Dive Rite
This manual is copyrighted by Lamartek, Inc. dba Dive Rite.

You may not reproduce, translate, transcribe, or transmit any
part of this manual without express, written permission from
Lamartek, Inc. dba Dive Rite.

Dive Rite will—at its sole discretion—repair or replace NiTek
He components proved to be damaged by faulty manufacture
or material, at no cost, for a period of up to one year (365
days) from the date of purchase.

This warranty applies only to the original retail purchaser. It
does not cover commercial or rental use, nor does it extend to
units purchased from other than an authorized Dive Rite
dealer.

This warranty specifically excludes battery depletion or other
conditions resulting from misuse, negligence, alteration,
accident, or unauthorized repair.

To make a claim under this warranty, the owner must have
registered his/her warranty using Dive Rite’s website
(www.diverite.com). He or she must then return the damaged
items to Dive Rite, along with a copy of the original purchase
invoice or receipt. No warranty service will be performed for
other than registered owners.

This warranty becomes void if NiTek He components are
damaged by anything other than normal recreational diving
use, or if they have been serviced or repaired by other than
authorized Dive Rite dealers.

Repairs made under this warranty will not extend the warranty
period.

All further claims, especially for damage after diving accidents,
are excluded from coverage under this warranty.

Dive Rite has no obligation to honor any extension of this
warranty.

This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, express or
implied. No other person or representative is authorized to
assume for Dive Rite any other liability in connection with the
sale of this product.

NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual i

Content

Table of contents

Chapter 1 Introduction • 1

Overview • 2
Features and functions • 3
Specifications • 5
Warnings • 6

Chapter 2 Using the NiTek He • 9

Getting started • 10
Accessing display modes and screens • 11
Surface mode • 12
Time display and set mode • 13
Dive option set and display mode • 15
Plan mode • 24
Computer mode • 26
Gauge mode • 35
Log mode • 36
Profile mode • 39
PC transfer mode • 41
Surface mode (upon surfacing from a dive) • 43
Altitude operation • 45

Chapter 3 Care and maintenance • 47

Proper handling techniques • 48
Low battery warning • 50

Index 51

ii NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual

Chapter 1

Introduction

Summary

This chapter provides an overview of the NiTek He, lists the
NiTek He’s features and functions, and covers warning
information that should be read before using your NiTek He.

Content

Overview • 2
Features and functions • 3
Specifications • 5
Warnings • 6

When diving… • 7

NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual 1

Introduction

Overview

Congratulations on your purchase of the NiTek He dive
computer. The NiTek He is a sophisticated and comprehensive
dive computer that was designed to offer you the latest in dive
computer technology, safety, and reliability.

The NiTek He dive computer is a multifunctional computer for
recreational diving, providing information on depth, dive times,
no-decompression and decompression times, and nitrogen and
helium absorption and elimination during all dive phases,
including ascent, surface interval times, and subsequent dives.

This information is displayed on an easy-to-read display,
providing simple and direct communication between the diver
and the computer. With an easy-to-read display, the diver has no
problem following and reading the displayed information.

The NiTek He comes standard with a number of modes,
including a time mode, dive set mode, dive plan mode, log
mode, profile mode, PC transfer mode, and dive mode.

Note: It is extremely important that you carefully read and

understand this manual. Make sure you fully understand how the
NiTek He operates before diving with it.

This manual has been divided into three chapters:

• Introduction: Covers the features and functions,

specifications, and warnings for the NiTek He

• Using the NiTek He: Covers the operation of each mode for

the NiTek He

• Care and maintenance: Covers how to properly care for

and maintain the NiTek He and change the battery

2 NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual

Introduction

19,685

Features and functions

The NiTek He incorporates a number of important modes and
features:

• The NiTek He turns on automatically upon descent

• On the surface, the NiTek He constantly displays a minimum
of date and time

• The NiTek He uses easily accessible and highly reliable push
buttons instead of exposed electrical contacts

• The NiTek He can be programmed to monitor exposure to
seven different gas mixtures during a dive. Gas mixtures
including combinations of oxygen, helium, and nitrogen can
be programmed. Underwater, NiTek He users can switch
between mixes at the push of a button.

• The NiTek He is capable of functioning up to a depth of 394
feet (120 meters) when in dive computer mode and 656 feet
(200 meters) when in gauge mode

• The NiTek He automatically adjusts for altitudes up to
19,680 feet (6,000 meters)

• The NiTek He displays a variety of data underwater
including: date, time of day, current and maximum depths,
no-decompression dive time elapsed and remaining, and
water temperature

• The NiTek He displays data specifically related to the use of
Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) including: fraction of oxygen
(FO2) setting, partial pressure of oxygen (PO2), and an
oxygen limit index (OLI) representing the cumulative effect
of a diver’s exposure to elevated PO2s (the theoretical “CNS
clock”) as a bar graph

• Through a combination of audible and visible alarms, the
NiTek He helps to alert the diver to a number of possibly
hazardous situations including: violation of ascent rate, no­decompression state, and whether mandatory decompression
stops are necessary or if the diver has ascended above a
mandatory stop ceiling. Nitrox specific warnings occur when
the diver approaches or exceeds a limiting PO2 of 1.4 or 1.6

NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual 3

Introduction

atmospheres depending on what is set, and when cumulative
exposure to elevated PO2s exceeds recommended limits.

• The NiTek He can be programmed to display data in
Imperial or metric units

• Dive depth can be displayed in fresh or salt water
equivalents

• Special mode indicators makes it easy to determine what
display mode or screen you are in at any time

• The NiTek He has a back light to illuminate the screen,
while in dive mode

• The NiTek He’s memory capability enables it to hold and
display log data on up to 30 hours of dive time or 60 dives

• Detailed dive-profile information can be stored for each dive
through user-programmable sample intervals of 15 or 30
seconds (longer intervals allow data for a greater number of
dives)

• Dive data can be uploaded and stored in a dive log format on
a desktop or laptop computer using the NiTekLogic™
software and optional PC interface

4 NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual

Introduction

8 oz.

699

during dive mode

19685

Specifications

Algorithm: Buhlmann ZH-L16
Sample tissues: 16
Tissue half-lives: from 5 to 640 minutes
Size and weight

Length: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
Height: 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
Weight: ounces ( g)

Display face

Backlight illumination
Low battery indicator
Two user buttons
Water immersion switch

Depth sensor

Sea and fresh water calibration
Measuring range: 0 to 394 feet (0 to 120 m) measured every second
(Gauge mode 656 feet (200 m)
Accuracy: +/- 3% + 2 feet (0.5 m)
Surface interval time: from 0 to 48 hrs
Diving time: from 0 to 599 minutes
Ascent rate warning: 26 to 59 feet per minute (8 to 18 m)

Thermometer

Measuring range: 23 °F to 104 °F (-5 to 40 °C)
Accuracy: +/- 4 °F (2 °C)
Measurement interval: Every minute

Clock

Accuracy: +/- 30 sec on average per month
24-hour display

Altitude

Altitude function monitoring: from 0 to 19,680 feet (6,000 m) measured
every 10 minutes
Measurement interval: Every 10 minutes

Battery

Li/MnO2 CR 2032 3V button battery
Average battery life: About 3 years (50 dives/year)
Replacement: User replaceable

Breathing gas

Mixes: 7 gas settings
O2 setting range: 8 to 99 percent
O2 setting: 1% increments
He setting range: 0 to 92 percent
He setting: 1% increments

Dive log

Dive logging: Maximum of 60 dives
Profile logging: Maximum of 30 hours
Profile sampling rates: 15 or 30 seconds

NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual 5

Introduction

Warnings

This information has been developed for your safety. Please read
and understand this manual completely before using your NiTek
He dive computer.

Important safety information:

• Before using your NiTek He, it is extremely important that
you read the following points—as well as similar warning
and caution notices that appear throughout this manual.
Failure to do so could result in damage to or loss of
equipment, serious personal injury, or death.

• The NiTek He is designed for use by certified divers who
have maintained a sufficient level of knowledge and skill
proficiency through a combination of formal training,
ongoing study, and experience. It is not intended for use by
persons who lack these qualifications and thus, may not be
able to identify, assess, and manage the risks scuba diving
entails. Use of the NiTek He in conjunction with Enriched
Air Nitrox (EANx) or Trimix requires that divers be trained
and certified for Nitrox diving.

• The NiTek He is not intended for use by commercial or
military divers whose activities may take them beyond the
commonly accepted depth limits for recreational or technical
diving.

• Although the NiTek He is capable of calculating
decompression stop requirements, users must remember that
dives requiring mandatory stage decompression carry
substantially greater risk than dives made well within no­decompression limits.

• The NiTek He is designed for use by one diver at a time.
Divers should not share a single NiTek He—or any other
dive computer—on the same dive. Additionally, no diver
should lend their NiTek He to anyone else until it calculates
that no measurable residual nitrogen remains after previous
dives and no longer displays the “desaturation time”
indicator while in time mode. Further, no diver should use
their NiTek He for repetitive dives—unless that same
properly functioning NiTek He has accompanied them on all

6 NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual

Introduction

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previous dives in the same repetitive dive series and is thus,
accurately monitoring the diver’s total exposure to oxygen,
helium, and nitrogen.

• Neither the NiTek He—nor any other dive computer—
physically measures the amount of nitrogen present in body
tissues or the rate at which nitrogen is being absorbed or
released. The NiTek He monitors depth and time, and uses
this data to work a mathematical formula designed to
emulate how individuals in good general health and whose
physical characteristics do not place them among those at
higher risk of decompression illness (DCI) are assumed to
absorb and release nitrogen from body tissues. Thus, the
NiTek He cannot compensate for factors such as age,
obesity, dehydration, cold, or exertion, which experts believe
place divers at greater risk of DCI. If these, or similar factors
apply to you, use the NiTek He—and other dive computers
or dive tables—with even greater caution.

• Experts still know surprisingly little regarding the exact
nature and causes of decompression illness (also known as
decompression sickness, DCI, or DCS). Susceptibility to
DCI may vary substantially from person to person and from
day to day. Neither the NiTek He—nor any other dive table
or computer—can guarantee that you will not suffer
decompression illness. Even though you use these items
correctly, you may still suffer DCI. Use your NiTek He
conservatively and in conjunction with other dive planning
devices, such as dive tables. Do not rely on the NiTek He, or
any similar device, as your sole means of avoiding
decompression illness.

When diving…

• Do not “push” the no-decompression limits (NDLs). Make
safety stops before ascending. If you exceed the no­decompression limits, check your breathing gas supply at all
stop depths.

• The NiTek He does not monitor breathing gas supply. You
must monitor this yourself, on every dive, using a
submersible pressure gauge or equivalent device.

NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual 7

Introduction

• Do not rely solely on this or any other dive computer. Take a
back-up dive computer or dive tables (along with a separate
means of monitoring depth and dive time).

• Be aware that the NiTek He makes assumptions regarding
residual nitrogen based on altitude settings. Avoid making
abrupt changes in altitude following a dive, as doing so may
be very dangerous.

8 NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual

Chapter 2

Using the NiTek He

Summary

This chapter provides topics about using, setting, and
understanding each of the modes and options of the NiTek He.

Content

Getting started • 10
Accessing display modes and screens • 11

Button operation • 11

Surface mode • 12

Entering surface mode from another
mode • 13

Time display and set mode • 13

Setting the time and date • 13

Dive option set and display mode • 15

Using computer mode • 15
Setting Mix1 through Mix7 gas
percentages • 17
Setting the maximum depth alarm • 18
Setting the dive time alarm • 18
Setting the dive profile sampling rate • 19
Setting for fresh or salt water use • 20
Setting the computer for metric or Imperial
operation • 21
Understanding default mode • 21

Using gauge mode • 22
Plan mode • 24
Computer mode • 26

Primary underwater screen • 26

Second underwater screen • 27

Changing gas mixes underwater • 28

Warnings while in diving mode • 29
Gauge mode • 35
Log mode • 36
Profile mode • 39
PC transfer mode • 41

Before transferring the dive log • 41
Surface mode (upon surfacing from a dive) • 43
Altitude operation • 45

NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual 9

Using the NiTek He

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Getting started

The NiTek He has many modes and screens and a number of
options that can be changed depending on your dive location and
profile. The following is a checklist of general things that you
should pay attention to before, during, and after a dive.

Before a dive

• Check that the proper time and date are set. If you traveled,
your NiTek He may be set to your home time zone.

• Check that the proper mixes are set. If you are using gauge
mode, make sure it is set to “GAGE.”

• Make sure that you review the dive plan mode for maximum
depths and times for the mixes you are using

During a dive

• Monitor the NiTek He throughout your dive for depth and
time

• Monitor the PGT and O2 loading bar graphs

• Pay attention to any alarms, such as an ascent rate warning

• Follow the no-decompression limits or complete the required
decompression displayed

After a dive

• Monitor surface interval time if making another dive

• Follow the no-fly requirements

• Review your dive using the log mode and profile mode

• Download the dive log to your PC if you have the optional
PC interface

10 NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual

Using the NiTek He

A (mode)

button

B

button

Accessing display modes and screens

There are some display modes that the NiTek He enters and/or
exits automatically. For example, by taking the NiTek He
underwater, the dive mode automatically turns on. Upon
surfacing, the NiTek He automatically enters the surface mode.

To access other modes or screens, requires the use of the NiTek
He’s buttons.

Button operation

The NiTek He has two buttons (A (mode) and B), which are
used to access the different modes and screens. To use the
buttons, simply press the button once or hold the button down
depending on what you are trying to do. The correct procedure to
use is clearly defined in each topic throughout the manual.

• A (mode) button: This button is used to select and scroll
through the different modes, such as time mode and locks in
setting values when setting options

• B button: This button is used to set an option’s setting, such
as setting the date

The front of the NiTek He, showing the two buttons that are used
to access and setup the different modes and options

NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual 11

Using the NiTek He

2

Surface mode

Surface mode is the NiTek He’s default mode, with “SURF”
displayed on the screen. The computer returns to this mode
automatically upon surfacing from a dive and from other modes
when two to three minutes of inactivity have passed.

The NiTek He may display additional information concerning
exposure to nitrogen and oxygen, desaturation time, surface
interval time, and altitude. These items are covered in “Surface
mode (upon surfacing from a dive)” and “Altitude operation.”

1

(1) Date: This is the month and day. The first digit is the month
and the second digit is the day. For example, 1-24 represents the
twenty-fourth day of January.

(2) Time of day: This is the time of day expressed in hours and
minutes. Time can be displayed in 24-hour (military) format or
12-hour format. When in 12-hour format, an AM or PM appears
on the screen.

Entering surface mode from another mode

When you are using other modes, it is very easy to return to
surface mode. Simply, press and hold button A for two to three
seconds or press button A until “SURF” is displayed.

12 NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual

Using the NiTek He

4

3

Time display and set mode

Time display and set mode is used to set and view the time of
day and date. When you enter this mode, “TIME” is displayed
on the screen.

1

2

(1) Date: This is the month and day. The first digit is the month
and the second digit is the day. For example, 1-24 represents the
twenty-fourth day of January.

(2) Year: This is the year.
(3) Time of day: This is the time of day expressed in hours and

minutes. Time can be displayed in 24-hour (military) format or
12-hour format. When in 12-hour format, an AM or PM appears
on the screen.

(4) Seconds: This is the seconds for the time of day.

To display the time and date:

1. Press and hold button B while in surface mode.

2. Release button B to return to surface mode.

Setting the time and date

Setting the time and date are done in the time set mode. You can
enter or change the year, month, day, hours, minutes, and
seconds in this mode.

NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual 13

Using the NiTek He

To set the time and date:

1. Press and hold button B for four to five seconds while in
surface mode.

The “seconds” field flashes.

2. Press button B to “00” the seconds field or press button A to
select another field, such as the minutes field.

3. Using buttons A and B, set the year, month, day, hour,
minutes, seconds, and whether you want the time displayed
in 24-hour format.

For example, 1:00 PM would be 13:00.

4. When finished, press button A for two to three seconds to
return to surface mode.

14 NiTek He Dive Computer User Manual