Oceanic PRODIGY owner's guide

OCEANIC

Prodigy

owner's guide

RESPONSIBLE COMPUTER DIVING

• Always Make Your Deepest Dive First

• Always Make The Deepest Part Of Every Dive, First

• Check Your Computer Often

• Do A Safety Stop On Every Dive

• Adequate Surface Interval Between Each Dive

• Adequate Surface Interval Between Each Day Of Diving (12 Hours Or Until Your Computer Clears)

• Read And Understand This Owner's Guide Before Using the Prodigy

Pay special attention to items marked with this WARNING symbol

This owner’s guide is copyrighted, all rights are reserved. It may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated,

or reduced to any electronic medium or machine readable form without prior consent in writing from 2002 Design/Oceanic.

PRODIGY Owner’s Guide, Doc. No. 12-1880

TRADEMARK NOTICE

Oceanic, the Oceanic logo, Diving Essentials Redefined, Graphic Diver Interface, Tissue Loading Bar Graph, Pre Dive Planning Se-

quence, and Variable Ascent Rate Indicator are all registered and unregistered trademarks of Oceanic. All rights are reserved.

PATENT NOTICE

U.S. Patents have been issued, or applied for, to protect the following design features: Graphic Diver Interface, Pre Dive Planning Sequence, Dive Time Remaining, Data Sensing and Processing Device (U.S. Patent no. 4,882,678), Dive Time Remaining (U.S. Patent no. 4,586,136), and Variable Ascent Rate Indicator Bar Graph (U.S. Patent no. 5,156,055).

LIMITED TWO-YEAR WARRANTY

For details, refer to the Product Warranty Registration Card provided.

DECOMPRESSION MODEL

The programs within the PRODIGY simulate the absorption of nitrogen into the body by using a mathematical model. This model is not magic, merely a way to apply a limited set of data to a large range of experiences. The PRODIGY dive computer model is based upon the latest research and experiments in decompression theory. Still, using the PRODIGY, just as using the U.S. Navy (or other) No-decompression Tables, is no guarantee of avoiding decompression sickness, i.e. “the bends.” Every diver’s physiology is different, it even varies from day to day. No machine can predict how your body will react to a particular dive profile.

The PRODIGY is intended for use by divers who have successfully completed a nationally recognized course in scuba diving. It must not be used by untrained persons who may not have knowledge of the potential risks and hazards of scuba diving. You must obtain proper training before using the PRODIGY if you have not already done so. You also must read this owner’s guide completely before diving with the PRODIGY.

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CONTENTS

I. THE PRODIGY IS EASY TO USE .......................................... 1

Introduction......................................... 2

II. DETAILED OPERATION GUIDE .......................................... 10

Operational Modes ............................ 12 The PRODIGY At A Glance ..............26

Informational Displays ..................... 20

III. HANDLING THE EXTREMES ............................................... 27

Maximum depth ................................ 28 Gauge mode ........................................35

Emergency decompression................ 29 Caution Zone......................................35

Violation modes ................................. 30 What if your computer quits?............37

Conditional violation......................... 30 Temperature/Night diving ................38

Permanent violations ........................ 32 Sharing ...............................................39

IV. CARE & MAINTENANCE ..................................................... 41

Before the dive................................... 42 Low battery display............................46

During/after the dive......................... 43 Battery Replacement Procedure .......47

Annual inspections ............................ 44 Annual Inspection Record .................66

Obtaining factory service.................. 45

V. REFERENCE......................................................................... 49

Multiple tissue tracking .................... 52 Specifications......................................58

No-decompression limits................... 54 Glossary ..............................................60

Maximum No-D dive profile ............. 54

See the

index on page

63 to find a

specific

subject

THE PRODIGY

EASY TO USE

INTRODUCTION

The PRODIGY was designed to be extremely easy to use and understand. This owner’s guide is divided into five sections designed to make it easy to learn how to use the PRODIGY. The first two sections will show you how it performs in most diving situations. Section three describes extreme condition performance such as deep or decompression diving. Sections four and five present care & maintenance procedures and reference material. Start here to begin learning about the PRODIGY.

REGULATOR ATTACHMENT

If you have purchased the PRODIGY in a console version, you will need to have it attached to your regulator by an Authorized Oceanic Dealer.

ACTIVATING THE DISPLAY

You can activate the PRODIGY by pressing and releasing the button

under its display (Fig. 1a). After a diagnostic check (10 seconds), it enters “Surface Mode” signified by the Surface Display Icon (Fig. 1b).

Fig. 1 – Surface Mode

WARNING - Be sure to inspect your PRODIGY prior to every dive, checking for any signs of the entrance of moisture, damage to the button membrane, or damage to the LCD display. If these or other signs of damage are found, return the unit to an Authorized Oceanic Dealer or Oceanic Parts & Service. DO NOT attempt to use until it has received factory service

PLANNING YOUR DIVE

Surface mode shows the Surface Display Icon, the number of the most recent dive you have made, surface interval, and residual nitrogen. After 20 seconds, then once every minute, it alternates with another mode called the “Pre Dive Planning Sequence” (Fig. 2) signified by the Pre Dive Planning Identification Icon (Fig. 2a). When planning your next dive, the Pre Dive Planning Sequence (PDPS) provides adjusted no-decompression limits based upon previous dives made. The PDPS shows depths from 30 to 160 feet (9 to 48 meters) in 10 foot (3 meter) intervals and the available no-decompression time for each. This makes dive planning extremely simple because you know exactly how much time you can spend at each depth without making any table calculations.

MAKING A DIVE

Once you enter the water and descend to a depth below 5 feet (1.5 meters), the PRODIGY changes to the “No-decompression Dive Mode” (Fig.

3) signified by the No Decompression Identification Icon (Fig. 3a). This mode displays current depth, elapsed dive time (and Elapsed Dive Time Icon), nodecompression time remaining, maximum depth for this dive (and Max Depth Icon), nitrogen loading (and Tissue Loading Bar Graph) and ascent rate (and Variable Ascent Rate Indicator).

Fig. 2 – Pre Dive

Planning Sequence

Fig. 3 – No-decompression

Dive Mode

USING THE “GRAPHIC DIVER INTERFACE”

To make it easy to check your dive status on the PRODIGY, a color-coded system of graphic displays is used. This “Graphic Diver Interface” is made up of two bar graphs that have green, yellow and red markers to indicate normal, caution, and danger zones, respectively. The two graphic displays represent ascent rate and nitrogen loading.

When underwater, you can make quick status checks by glancing at the two bar graphs and making sure that they are “in the green.” With one quick glance you can make sure you’re not getting too close to the no-decom-

pression limit or ascending too fast.

ASCENDING TO THE SURFACE

A graphic representation of nitrogen absorption can be seen in the “Tissue Loading Bar Graph” (Fig 3b). This green, yellow, red bar graph

shows how close you are to the no-decompression limit. It “fills–up” with segments as your depth and bottom time increase, simulating the absorption of nitrogen. Upon ascent to shallower depths, the Tissue Loading Bar Graph (TLBG) will begin to recede giving a visual representation of nitrogen off– gassing. The TLBG also provides a way to easily manage decompression by indicating four red “ceiling” depths. This is discussed fully in the “Handling the Extremes” section beginning on page 27.

When rising towards the surface, the “Variable Ascent Rate Indicator™” (Fig. 3c) shows how fast you are ascending. The Variable Ascent Rate Indicator (VARI) will alert you with a flashing display if you enter the red zone, which represents ascent rates over 60 feet (18 meters) per minute. Immediately slow your ascent whenever this is seen.

If you have not entered decompression, a safety stop made between 15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters) is strongly recommended as a standard procedure before completing your ascent. Many divers do this to provide a wider zone of caution from the no-decompression limit. The TLBG gives a visual representation of just how close you are to the no-decompression limit with a yellow “Caution Zone” (Fig. 3d). This Caution Zone portion of the TLBG allows you to make a decision regarding safety stop duration or necessity. While you cannot provide a guarantee against the occurrence of decompression sickness, you may choose your own personal zone of caution based on age, physique, excessive weight, etc., to reduce the statistical risk.

EMERGENCY DECOMPRESSION

If your depth or bottom time is such that the TLBG enters the red zone, the PRODIGY will switch to the “Decompression Dive Mode” (Fig. 4) signified with the flashing Decompression Dive Identification Icon (Fig. 4a). A decompression stop “ceiling” will be indicated by the TLBG (Fig. 4b), digital display (Fig. 4c), and Stop Ceiling Icon (Fig. 4f). You must stay below the

Fig. 4 – Decompression

Dive Mode

Fig. 5 – Decompression

Dive Mode-Alternate

ceiling depth indicated or risk decompression sickness. Also indicated by digital displays are current depth, decompression time for current stop (Fig. 4d) and total decompression stop time (Fig. 4e). You must stay at or a few feet below the TLBG indicated ceiling depth until the bar graph recedes into the next shallower zone before ascending any further.

An alternate display (Fig. 5) appears automatically for 3 seconds at 12 second intervals during a decompression dive. The display replaces individual stop information with maximum depth (and Max Depth Icon, Fig.5a) and elapsed dive time (and Elapsed Dive Time Icon, Fig. 5b).

PLANNING FOR THE NEXT DIVE

After reaching three feet upon ascent, the Surface Mode will display once again. After 10 minutes, and at one minute intervals, it alternates with the Pre Dive Planning Sequence. The Pre Dive Planning Sequence will show

adjusted no-decompression limits based on the nitrogen absorbed during your last dive. The longer the surface interval, the more dive time available in the PDPS.

IT’S REALLY JUST THAT SIMPLE!

The PRODIGY is designed to help you stay out of trouble with quick visual reference during all modes of operation. Just “keep it in the green” and you’ll greatly reduce your exposure to decompression sickness.

WARNING – Using the PRODIGY, just as using the U.S. Navy (or other) No-decompression Tables, is no guarantee of avoiding decompression sickness, i.e. “the bends.”

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

The PRODIGY also helps you log your dives, dive at high altitudes, and know when the minimum allowable surface time has elapsed to be able to fly, according to UHMS guidelines. These special features are described on the following pages.

LOGGING YOUR DIVES

Immediately after a dive, various information is stored in the PRODIGY’s memory and can be accessed in the “Dive Log Mode.” Recalling this information gives you a chance to record it in your log book. Your latest 10 dives are stored and can be accessed by pressing the activation button.

Dive Log Mode signified by the Dive Log Identification Icon (Fig. 6a) will automatically scroll through the latest ten dives starting with the most

Fig. 6 – Dive Log Mode

recent dive first. The log displays dive number, surface interval, maximum depth (and Max Depth Icon), bottom time (and Elapsed Time Icon), and maximum ascent rate (VARI). It also displays end–of–dive tissue loading (TLBG). This is handy when making decisions about future dive plans.

ALTITUDE DIVING

The PRODIGY automatically compensates for decreased ambient pressure when activated at high altitudes up to 14,000 feet (4,268 meters). Its program contains a high altitude algorithm that reduces no-decompression limits to add a larger zone of caution. Whenever it is activated above 3,000 feet (915 meters), it will automatically recalibrate itself to measure depth in feet of fresh water.

KNOWING WHEN TO FLY

Due to the present lack of a complete data set derived from actual human testing, there are different recommendations cited by various scientific organizations for the amount of time a diver should wait before flying after diving. The PRODIGY follows one of the more conservative of these, cited by Divers Alert Network (DAN); that divers wait at least 12 hours before flying in pressurized commercial aircraft, and at least 24 or more if making repetitive multi-day or decompression dives. The PRODIGY easily tracks how much surface time has elapsed with the Time to Fly display.

The Time-to-Fly display (Fig. 7) begins a 24 hour countdown starting 10 seconds after a dive. During the last 12 hours, the countdown can be deactivated and subsequent diving continued by pressing the activation switch. This reactivates the PRODIGY and begins the Surface Display/Pre Dive Planning Sequence over again. After the timer reaches zero, 24 hours have elapsed. You may choose when to fly according to the type of diving you have done, consulting your PRODIGY to determine the amount of surface time that has elapsed. To learn more about flying after diving and DAN's guidelines, see page 24.

DETAILED OPERATIONS GUIDE

The next section describes the PRODIGY’s Operational Modes and Informational Displays in detail, describing exactly what you can expect to see above and under water. Refer to this section when you have specific questions about PRODIGY operation.

Fig. 7 – Time-to-Fly Mode

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DETAILED

OPERATIONS

GUIDE

Fig. 8 – Diagnostic Mode

OPERATIONAL MODES

The PRODIGY operates in ten different modes and the visual difference between them is quite evident. Mode Icons, described in detail beginning on page 19, identify the various displays to eliminate confusion.

DIAGNOSTIC MODE/ACTIVATION

Diagnostic Mode is displayed immediately following activation. After pressing and releasing the activation button, Diagnostic Mode will display all

M FT

“eights” followed by dashes, and then a countdown from 9 to 0. It will then enter Surface Mode signalling a successful diagnostic check. During the countdown, the PRODIGY checks its display functions and battery voltage to ensure everything is working properly. If battery voltage is below the level sufficient for a day's operation, the Battery Icon, located to the upper left of the Time Display, will be displayed and will flash continuously. After decreasing to 15% of rated voltage all graphic displays will shut off except the Battery Icon which will flash 15 final times prior to shutdown of the PRODIGY.

WARNING - Never activate the PRODIGY if the computer is underwater. This may result in inaccurate depth and no-decompression time displays. Activation is not possible deeper than ten feet underwater.

If two hours elapse after activation without making a dive, the PRODIGY will deactivate to save battery power. Be sure to check your computer

before entering the water to ensure it doesn’t need reactivation.

WARNING - If a Low Battery condition is indicated immediately upon activation, Oceanic strongly recommends that you DO NOT dive until you have obtained battery replacement, described on pages 47-50. Activating the External Access(EA) mode, described on page 59, when a Low Battery condition is initially indicated will cause the flashing Low Battery Icon to disappear implying satisfactory voltage. DO NOT dive until batteries are replaced.

SURFACE MODE

Surface Mode, identified by the Surface Display Icon to the left of the Surface Time display, immediately follows Diagnostic Mode after initial activation (Fig 9). It also appears after a dive when you ascend shallower than 3 feet (1 meter). Information provided includes, the number of the most recent dive made, elapsed surface time and tissue loading (TLBG), if any.

PRE DIVE PLANNING SEQUENCE™ (PDPS) MODE

Pre Dive Planning Sequence Mode, identified by the Pre Dive Planning Icon to the left of the Time Display, follows after 20 seconds in Surface Mode (Fig. 10). For 40 seconds this mode automatically scrolls through depths from 30 to 160 feet (9 to 48 meters), in 10 foot (3 meter) increments, showing theoretical no-decompression dive times based upon your previous dive

Fig. 9 – Surface Mode

Fig. 10 – Pre Dive

Planning Sequence

Fig. 11 – No-decompression

Dive Mode

profiles. The PDPS automatically replaces Surface Mode every minute. Information provided includes depths and no-decompression dive times.

WARNING – The Pre Dive Planning Sequence predicts only nodecompression times for subsequent dives. Depending on tank size and air consumption, you may have

less time available

than shown

in the PDPS because of air limitations.

PDPS no-decompression times are displayed only for depths where there is at least one minute available. This takes into account a descent rate of 75 feet per minute. Before a “clean” dive (no dives in 24 hours), the PDPS no- decompression limits are those found on page 54 in the Reference section.

NO-DECOMPRESSION DIVE MODE

No-decompression Dive Mode, identified by the No Decompression Icon to the left of the Time Display (Fig. 11a), appears when the diver descends deeper than five feet. Information provided includes current depth, elapsed dive time (and Elapsed Dive Time Icon-Fig. 11b), no-decompression dive time remaining, and maximum depth for this dive (and Max Depth Icon-Fig. 11c). The Graphic Diver Interface is also active, displaying nitrogen loading (TLBG) and ascent rate (VARI).

DECOMPRESSION DIVE MODE

The PRODIGY will help you to avoid, or easily manage, decompression.

Before explaining further, read the following warning.

WARNING - Oceanic recommends the application of responsible diving practices and does not recommend decompression diving, or diving deeper than 130 feet, as these practices will greatly increase your risk of decompression sickness.

Decompression Dive Mode, identified by the Decompression Dive Icon (Fig. 12a) located to the left of the Time Display, activates when the theoretical no decompression dive time/depth limits are exceeded causing the TLBG to enter a red decompression zone (Fig. 12). Information provided includes current depth, current decompression stop ceiling depth and time (and Stop Ceiling Icon - Fig. 12b), and total decompression stop time at all ceilings combined. The Graphic Diver Interface will continue to display the VARI bar graph and the TLBG, that now acts as a Decompression “ceiling” indicator showing the ceiling depth that you must stay below. An alternate display (Fig.

13) appears automatically for 3 seconds at 12 second intervals displaying individual stop information with maximum depth and elapsed dive time.

After entering decompression, you must immediately change the focus of your dive to getting back to the surface. Upon seeing the TLBG enter the 10 FT (3 M) STOP zone, you should immediately begin a 60 foot (20 meter) per

Fig. 12 – Decompression

Dive Mode

Fig. 13 – Decompression

Dive Mode-Alternate

minute or slower ascent to a depth slightly deeper than or equal to 10 feet (3 meters). The amount of decompression credit time you receive is dependent on depth, with slightly less credit given the deeper you are.

Still, you must never ascend shallower than your decompression

ceiling! Doing so will place the PRODIGY into a Conditional Violation Mode

(see page 30) and greatly increase your risk of decompression sickness. Often while coping with surge and swell, it is difficult to stay at a chosen depth. To ensure that you do not enter a violation mode you should stay close to, but no shallower than, the decompression ceiling depth. If the PRODIGY requires a

10, 20, 30, or 40 foot (3, 6, 9, or 12 meter) decompression ceiling, you should stay slightly deeper than the depth indicated until the TLBG recedes into the next shallower zone. When that occurs, you can ascend to, but not shallower than, the new indicated ceiling.

Once you have performed the required decompression, the PRODIGY will

switch to No-decompression Dive Mode allowing additional time underwater.

After Total Decompression Stop Time reaches zero and the TLBG recedes into the yellow Caution Zone (C.Z.), the diver can surface. However, to add a greater margin of protection, Oceanic strongly recommends that you wait until the TLBG segments are well within the green No Decom zone, unless a low air condition requires you to surface. At the end of all decompression dives, you must focus on reducing your tissue loading as much as possible

- by spending as much time as you can at your final safety stop and on the surface - before your next dive.

VIOLATION MODES

The PRODIGY enters one of three different Violation Modes when you exceed its ability to predict an ascent procedure. These modes are explained fully in the “Handling the Extremes” section beginning on page 27.

GAUGE MODE

If the PRODIGY enters a Permanent Violation Mode, it will operate only in Gauge Mode on subsequent dives. The PRODIGY removes displays that no longer provide correct information because of the violation (see page 35). No dives must be made for 24 hours for the PRODIGY to reset itself.

DIVE LOG MODE

Dive Log Mode, identified by the Dive Log Icon (Fig. 14a) located above the Surface Display Icon, can be accessed on the surface by pressing the button on the front of the PRODIGY (Fig. 14b). Pressing and releasing the button will start the Automatic Dive Log Sequence. Dive Log Mode displays information of your latest ten dives, and will retain the information indefinitely, even if the batteries are removed. After exceeding ten dives, the PRODIGY will add the most recent dive while deleting the oldest.

Information provided includes dive number, surface interval, max depth (and Max Depth Icon), bottom time (and Elapsed Time Icon), maximum ascent rate (VARI), and end of dive tissue loading (TLBG).

Dive Log Mode recalls dives in reverse order from the one most recently

Fig. 14 – Dive Log Mode

Fig. 15 – Time to Fly Mode

recorded to the oldest of the most recent ten. Thus, your most recent dive will always be the first shown in the log sequence, the second most recent will appear next, etc. When accessing Dive Log Mode, you can choose to either press and release, or press and hold, the button on the face of the PRODIGY. As mentioned, pressing and releasing the button initiates the Automatic Dive Log Sequence, showing previous dives for about four seconds each.

Pressing and holding the button will freeze the information on the display giving you a chance to write it down in your logbook (A sample logbook page is provided on page 63 of this guide that can be photo duplicated for this purpose). Releasing and then holding the button again will display the next earlier dive, and so on.

TIME TO FLY MODE

The longer you wait to fly after diving, the more you will reduce your

exposure to decompression sickness. A Time to Fly countdown sequence begins automatically at the beginning of the Pre Dive Planning Sequence. Ten minutes after the last dive has ended the Time to Fly Mode (Fig. 15) will display the word “FLY” with a timer below it that starts a 24 hour countdown to assist you decide when enough surface time has elapsed to fly.

During the last twelve hours, the Time to Fly countdown can be deactivated and subsequent diving continued by pressing the activation switch. This reactivates the PRODIGY and begins the Surface Display/Pre Dive Planning Sequence over again.

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