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3.1.4. User Defi nable Functions and Alarms
The GEKKO has several user defi nable functions and depth and time related
alarms that you can set according to your personal preference.
The dive computer model (Air/Nitrox) can be set in the MODE- SET- MODEL
submode. The dive alarms can be set under MODE- SET - SET ALARMS, the
time and date settings in MODE-SET-SET TIME, and the units (metric/impe-
rial) as well as personal adjustments in the MODE- SET - SET ADJUSTMETS
submode. Setting of the user defi nable functions and alarms are explained in detail
in section 4.2. “Set Modes”.
3.2. SAFETY STOPS
Safety stops are widely considered “good diving practice” and are an integral part of
most dive tables. Reasons to perform a safety stop include a reduction in sub clinical
DCI, microbubble reduction, ascent control, and orientation before surfacing.
The GEKKO displays two different types of safety stops: Recommended Safety
Stop and Mandatory Safety Stop.
The Safety Stops are indicated by:
- STOP label, when in the depth range 3 m - 6 m [10 ft - 20 ft] =
Recommended Safety Stop Countdown
- STOP+ CEILING label, when in the depth range 3 m - 6 m [10 ft - 20 ft] =
Mandatory Safety Stop Time display
- STOP label, when deeper than 6 m = Mandatory Safety Stop scheduled
3.2.1. Recommended Safety Stop
With every dive over 10 meters the instrument has a three minute countdown for
the recommended safety stop, to be taken in the 3 - 6 meter [10 ft - 20 ft] range.
This is shown with the ST OP sign and a three-minute countdo wn in the center
window instead of the no-decompression time (Fig. 3.9.).
The Recommended Safety Stop, as the name implies, is recommended. If it is
ignored, there is no penalty applied to the following surface intervals and dives.
3.2.2. Mandatory Safety Stop
When the ascent rate exceeds 12 meters/min [40 ft] momentarily or 10 meters/min
[33ft] continuously the micro-bubble build-up is predicted to be more than allowed
for in the decompression model. The Suunto RGBM calculation model responds
to this by adding a Mandatory Safety Stop to the dive. The time of this Mandatory
Safety Stop will depend on the severity of the ascent rate excess.
