Q: What is the Explorer Simulator?

A: The Explorer Simulator is a PC program that provides the interface to program the Explorer Dive Computer. It also will perform a dive simulation, including gas switches and decompression. The software will also generate decompression tables for your dive, generate a comparison of the Calculation Formula's (CF) so you can decide which CF best meets your physical profile and the dive's work load.

Q: Is there a charge for the Explorer Simulator?

A: No. The Explorer Simulator is free of charge.

Q: I live in England and when I down load the Mix Table settings, the Dive computer gets all messed up?

A: When the regional settings in Windows is set for England, the time format changed within windows causing the down load to generate mix information errors in the Explorer. Effective with simulator version x.15 this problem has been corrected for the UK regional setting. Should you experience download problems please contact support@hs-eng.com with the simulator version and the regional settings set on your computer.

Q: When I attempt to download/upload from my laptop to the Explorer, it resets?

A: At this time Dell laptops are known cause the Explorer to reset. Other laptops may also cause the same problem. Follow this link

Explorer Dive Computer

Q: Does the Explorer "work" with SCRs like the Draeger Dolphin? In otherwords, can it monitor PPO2 in real time and adjust the decompression
algorithm??

A: Yes. As you know, we just released the Explorer with the O2 cell adapter. We have a 'P' adapter for the Dolphin in stock. You have two methods to implement the usage: (1) Use the Explorer in place of the existing monitor. (2) Add a second port for the Explorer to the bag. (better choice). In the PPO2 mode the diluent gas is known, so the inert gas to PPO2 ratio will determine the decompression, just the same as with the CCR.

Q: How do I program the Explorer?

A: The Explorer may be programmed via a Personal Computer using the Simulator software or field programmed using the two buttons.

Q: How many gas mixes are supported?

A: The Explorer stores 10 gas mixes which can be almost any combination of nitrogen, helium and oxygen (TRIMIX) or nitrogen and oxygen (NITROX).

Q: Will the Explorer track multi-level dives?

A: Yes. The Explorer will track your dive as you perform it.

Q: Do I have to enter in a mix change plan?

A Switch depths and change directions are not required. Only the gases you plan to use must be entered prior to diving.

Q: Are my planned gas switches saved between dives?

A Yes. Effective with version x.14, switch depths and change directions are maintained between dives.

Q: Do I have to press two buttons to confirm a mix change while diving?

A No. Effective with version x.14 only the left button needs to be pressed for a '3' count to confim the mix change.

Q: Do planned gas switches have to be entered in order, for example 2->3->4?

A: No. You may enter the gas switches in any order (9->5->2) works the same as in sequence (2->3->4). However, it is easier to manually switch if the mix changes are in sequence.

Q: What if I miss the planned gas switch?

A: You can change to the planned mix manually at any time.

Q: How long do I have to confirm the mix change?

A: A planned gas switch times out after 30 seconds or your depth exceeds the change depth by 10 ft/3 m. You can change to the planned mix manually at any time.

Q: Are all the mixes available during a dive?

A: Yes. All 10 mixes are available for switching at any time unless the Partial Pressure of Oxygen (PPO2) exceeds 2.0 Bar (ATA).

Q: How is No-Decompression displayed?

A: No-Decompression is displayed using the ND icon. The CEILING icon is blanked and the current water temperature is displayed below the TEMP icon. The temperature is not displayed once decompression starts.

Q: Does the Explorer display how much No Decompression time I have left?

A: Yes. During the No Decompression time of the dive the time you have remaining until decompression is displayed using the Ceiling Numbers. This display is not present when shallower than 30 feet (~9m). The display is updated on the minute and is based on the current depth at the time of the update.

Q: Does the No Decompression check test for helium tissue loading?

A: Yes. The No Decompression uses current tissue loading (including helium) and the current displayed MIX is used to calculate the available No Decompression time.

Q: How is decompression displayed?

A: A â CEILING icon is displayed above the stop depth and the stop time is displayed below the TIME icon.

Q: When the Bottom Time updates, why does the Stop Time decrease by two minutes or sometimes not at all? Should not the Stop Time also decrease by 1 minute?

A: The stop times are computed in decimal and rounded upwards to an integer. For example: a calculated Stop Time of 1.01 minutes will display as 2 minutes, yet on the next computational cycle, it will clear to zero (0) thus the display may jump from 2 minutes to the next stop. Also, a Stop Time of 1.99 minutes (displayed as 2 minutes) may reduce only to a Stop Time 1.01 minutes due to a faster tissue offgassing into a slower one which results in a slightly slower off-gassing rate, and the display may not change at all. Ascent Rate, actual depth in relation to the Ceiling depth and wave action can affect the stop tissue calculations.

Q: When the Bottom Time updated, the TTS decreased by 1 minute but the Stop Time remained the same. Why?

A: This is similar to the second part of the above question. The pressure balance changed in the tissues with the Stop Time in a "thresh hold" conversion resulting in the above indication. The tissue loadings are computed real time which may result in an apparently added minute on some stops or an apparent indication of an "early release" to the next stop depth. Depending on the dive profile, either of these conditions may or may not appear.

Q: On the bottom the Ceiling may indicate 50 feet for example, yet by the time I arrive at 50 feet, the stop has cleared and the Ceiling has changed to 40 feet. Why?

A: As you ascend the limiting tissue often offgasses to a lower (shallower value) at the 1 Bar per minute (33 feet/min.) ascent rate. This will happen only with the first stop.

Q: It is hard for me to maintain the Ceiling depth. What should I do?

A: If you can not maintain the proper Ceiling (wave action, cave configuration) always decompress deeper. Never go shallower than the ceiling depth.

Q: Does the Explorer ever lock out (cease to function)?

A: Yes and No. For broken or omitted decompression, the Explorer will lock out for 24 hours after 10 minutes of surfacing with decompression remaining for the dive. At this time an "Err" will be displayed where the TTS/SI/TTF numbers are normally displayed. The Explorer will now function in the gauge mode which will only display depth and time under pressure with no other information. The "Err" will continue to be displayed during a dive in the gauge mode. There are no lockouts while diving.

Q: So, I have 10 minutes in the event of a broken decompression to get back into the water and complete the decompression?

A: Yes. The omitted decompression must be completed. Please follow U.S. Navy omitted decompression procedures to help prevent decompression problems.

Q: How is the Explorer reprogrammed?

A: The Explorer's mix table can be reprogrammed anywhere. Firmware updates must be performed at the factory. There are several reasons for this: program security, verify/update the transducer calibration, verification of the flash process/upgrade, retesting and certification of the unit.

Q: How do I get the Explorer's firmware updated?

A: At this time, return the Explorer to HydroSpace Engineering, Inc. We will update the firmware within 5 working days and return it to you.

Q: Is there a charge for the update?

A: No. At this time, updating is free of charge except for your shipping costs to us.

Q: If you forget to turn the Explorer on. Can you activate it underwater or do you have to surface?

A: The Explorer can be started underwater. After the initialization mode it will go immediately into the dive mode. Explorer's with the water activation circuit modification will start when the unit is imersed.

Q: When I decompress on 100% oxygen does the stop time count faster.

A: No. The Explorer displays are always real time. For example: there were no planned gas switches, you arrive at your 20 ft stop and the TTS display reads 15 minutes. The indicated decompression is 4/20 (and 10/10). (You will only see the TTS and 4/20). On arriving at 20 ft. you switch to100% Oxygen. At the next update (on the minute) the TTS will change to 8 and the display will reflect the new deco mix decompression time -2/20. All displayed decompression stop times will be effectively reduced by 50% using 100% oxygen and proportional adjustments can be expected from oxygen enriched mixtures as well.

Q: Can I decompress for the 10 foot stop at 20 feet?

A: Yes. Depending on the decompression mix there is no penalty for decompressing deeper than the required stop depth. Time spent more than 2 ft. shallower than the stop depth is not computed into the stop time. If you can not decompress at the required depth, go deeper, not shallower.

Q: Is there a way in simulator to do the 10 foot stop at 20 feet?

A: At this time there is no way on the simulator to perform a 10 foot stop at 20 ft. If you are using 100% Oxygen, the decompression times will be the same for instance 2/20 and 16/10 will work the same as 18/20.

Q: Should I place the Explorer in the sleep mode after a dive?

A: No. The Explorer will automatically enter the sleep mode 30 minutes after diving.

Q: How many dives are stored?

A: The Explorer will store up to 25 dives at one time or a total dive time of 40 hrs. After 25 dives the oldest dive is lost as each new dive is added. The history readout is from the latest dive (25) to the oldest dive (1). The dive history counter counts up to 250 dive before resetting to 1. This dive number will be displayed on the history readout.

Q: How do I know how much dive memory is remaining?

A: The Explorer will record the last 25 dives and approximately 40 hours of dive data. (Mix No., OC/CC, Depth/Time, Temperature). This allows more than 1.5 hours per dive without overwriting any previous dive data.

Q: Does the Explorer display 0.1 meters in the metric mode?

A: The metric 0.1 meter depth indication is displayed using the AVG depth numbers. The AVG depth icon is blanked. To view the AVG depth, press the right button and the AVG depth is displayed as long as the button is pressed. The display automatically reverts to the 0.1 meter indication when the button is released. This is a surface and dive function.

Q: The dive history data is a table of numbers. How do I create a chart of my dive?

A: Instructions for the conversion of the dive data to a chart are included in the HS Explorer Dive Computer Owners Manual.

Q: Does the Explorer track Oxygen Tolerance Units (OTU)?

A: OTU values are computed during the dive. The accumulated OTU's can be viewed by pressing the left button for a 4 count. This is a surface display function only.

Q: Is custom programming if the Explorer available?

A: Yes, Contact sales@hs-eng.com with your request.

Battery

Q: Will any AA battery work in the Explorer?

A: No. Only 3.6 volt lithium batteries may be used.

Q: What happens if I insert the battery backwards?

A: The electronics will be destroyed. The warranty is void at this point.

Q: If the battery is left in but the computer is in Mode 5 (sleep), how long will the battery last?

A: A fresh battery will last approximately 2+ years in the sleep mode.

Q: How long will the battery last while diving?

A: A fresh battery will last approximately 100+ hours of diving time..

Q: Should I turn the battery off or remove it between dives?

A: No. If you remove power within 24 hours of diving, when power is applied, the Explorer will 'wake up' with the time and date it had when it went into the sleep mode.

Q: How do I change the battery?

A: Wake the Explorer up and then place it in the sleep mode. This will preserve the current time and date. Change the battery observing the correct polarity. The Explorer will wake up when the battery makes contact. Remember do not over tighten the battery cap.

Q: Where can I purchase additional batteries?

A: You may purchase additional batteries from HydroSpace Engineering, Inc. for $8.00 ea. or $22.00 for four. Shipping and handling included. There are retail battery outlets on the internet which can also supply the batteries

Last update - 03/31/03

If you have other questions, please email: support@hs-eng.com