Evaluation of Commercially Available, Wrist-Worn Depth Gauges

摘要

Twenty-eight models of commercially available, diver, wrist-worn depth gauges were evaluated by the Navy Department Diving Unit. All gauges were tested to determine accuracy, repeatability, watertight integrity, thermal stability, durability, readability and luminescence capability. The depth gauges tested represented a comprehensive survey of the available market. Test results showed the vast majority of the models to have an accuracy of + or - 5 FSW. Under some test conditions, this degraded to + or - 10 FSW or greater. Two samples of each model were tested. In several cases, gauges marketed by different manufacturers actually had the same internal mechanism. Given the repeatability, size of the gauges, cost and manufacturing techniques available in the performance of any gauge evaluated. Once a calibration check has been performed, all are considered satisfactory for U.S. Navy SCUBA use, with the exception of special explosive ordnance disposal non-magnetic requirements.