Suunto HelO2

From Next magazine issue 2/2009. Text by Markku Rimpiläinen

The device incorporates the Suunto Technical RGBM algorithm developed in cooperation by Dr. Bruce Wienke, a recognized decompression expert, which calculates the ideal ascent time and rate for each dive. Wienke’s algorithm is the most widely documented and validated calculation model in technical diving. Suunto Technical RGBM follows the full RGBM theory as closely as possible.

The algorithm adds helium tissue groups to the decompression model to enable trimix diving in addition to air and nitrox diving. Suunto HelO2 allows eight gases to be programmed as primary or secondary gases, as well as an oxygen content of 8–100% and a helium content of 0–92%. www.suunto.com

Decompression, the elimination of nitrogen or helium from the body, is necessary during the ascent. HelO2 eliminates the need to constantly monitor a decompression schedule, depth gauge, and watch during the ascent.

Technical diving is a challenging form of the sport, in which dive depths often exceed 40 meters. Divers use mixtures of multiple gases to enable the long dive times needed, for example, when exploring caves and wrecks. Technical diving requires special training and equipment, as well as extensive diving experience.

The Suunto technical dive planner is a user-friendly graphical application used to plan dive profiles and gas mixtures and make backup plans. The intuitive interface enables the diver to try different variations of depth, time, gases, and partial pressures in advance. The Suunto dive planner instantly calculates the impact of changes and presents the results as an easily interpreted graph. When ready, the diver can transfer the gas plans and other critical dive information from the PC to the dive computer using the USB cable supplied with the product. The planner also provides gas mixing instructions for the planned dive.