## What is Absolute Pressure Scuba Diving?
Absolute pressure scuba diving is a type of diving that takes into account the pressure of the water at the diver’s depth, as well as the atmospheric pressure at the surface. This is in contrast to relative pressure diving, which only takes into account the pressure of the water at the diver’s depth.
Absolute pressure diving is more accurate than relative pressure diving, and it is therefore the preferred method for deep diving and technical diving.
### How Does Absolute Pressure Scuba Diving Work?
Absolute pressure scuba diving uses a pressure gauge that measures the pressure of the water at the diver’s depth, as well as the atmospheric pressure at the surface. The pressure gauge is calibrated to read in absolute pressure, which is the sum of the water pressure and the atmospheric pressure.
Divers using absolute pressure gauges must be aware of the fact that the pressure at the surface is not always 1 atmosphere (atm). For example, at sea level, the atmospheric pressure is 1 atm, but at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the atmospheric pressure is only 0.88 atm.
### Why is Absolute Pressure Scuba Diving More Accurate?
Absolute pressure diving is more accurate than relative pressure diving because it takes into account the pressure of the water at the diver’s depth, as well as the atmospheric pressure at the surface. This is important because the pressure of the water at a given depth is not constant. It increases with depth, and it also varies with the density of the water.
Relative pressure gauges only measure the pressure of the water at the diver’s depth. They do not take into account the atmospheric pressure at the surface. This can lead to errors in depth readings, especially at deep depths.
### When Should You Use Absolute Pressure Scuba Diving?
Absolute pressure scuba diving is the preferred method for deep diving and technical diving. This is because it is more accurate than relative pressure diving, and it provides divers with a more accurate understanding of their depth and the pressure they are under.
If you are planning on diving to depths greater than 100 feet, or if you are planning on doing any technical diving, then you should use an absolute pressure gauge.
### Benefits of Absolute Pressure Scuba Diving
There are several benefits to using absolute pressure scuba diving, including:
More accurate depth readings: Absolute pressure gauges provide more accurate depth readings than relative pressure gauges, especially at deep depths.
Improved understanding of the pressure you are under: Absolute pressure gauges provide divers with a more accurate understanding of the pressure they are under, which can help them to make better decisions about their diving.
Safer diving: Absolute pressure scuba diving is safer than relative pressure diving because it provides divers with a more accurate understanding of their depth and the pressure they are under. This can help divers to avoid decompression sickness and other diving injuries.
### Conclusion
Absolute pressure scuba diving is a more accurate and safer method of diving than relative pressure diving. If you are planning on diving to depths greater than 100 feet, or if you are planning on doing any technical diving, then you should use an absolute pressure gauge.
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