21
Variable Ascent Rate Indicator™- VARI
The VARI occupies the right middle of the DataMax Pro display (Fig.
19b). The purpose of the VARI is to assist the diver in preventing too rapid
an ascent by providing a visual and audible indication of ascent speed. The
bar graph is made up of eight triangular segments and is analogous to an
ascent rate speedometer. There are various speed “zones” that are color–
coded green, yellow, and red. The actual speeds that the VARI segments
represent are listed on page 60. An Audible Alarm and flashing VARI seg-
ments alert the diver of an ascent rate that has exceeded 60 feet per minute
(red VARI zone). The VARI currently holds a U.S. Patent No. 4,882,687.
Tank Pressure Bar Graph
The bar graph at the bottom of the LCD allows the diver to get a quick
visual indication of remaining tank pressure (Fig. 19c). The segments above
the green, yellow, and red zones represent different amounts of pressure per
each segment. The green zone segments represent 250 psig each
(18 kg/cm
2
for metric version), the yellow zone 200 psig each (14 kg/cm
2
), and
the red zone 100 psig each (7 kg/cm
2
). This makes the bar graph more
responsive as tank pressure recedes. A numeric display of tank pressure to
the nearest 10 psig (.5 kg/cm
2
) resides above the bar graph.
DIVE TIME REMAINING DISPLAY
One of the most important pieces of information on the DataMax Pro is
the patented* Dive Time Remaining display. To display Dive Time Remain-
