Do I need background light on divewatch for cwt 30+ dives

[Søren Gade]

Hi,

I had my f.10 Aeris freedive watch for 6 years, and suddenly it lost its background light.
I tried replacing the battery, but still no light

I am soon attending a SSI level 2 certification with dives to 30+ meter at Lanzarote and was wondering whether I need the light for this type of diving.

Diving in Denmark while spearfishing I sometimes need a light already at 12 meter, but maybe in a professionel setup at a course I maybe only need timer and depth alarm or I am wrong?

best wishes, Soeren

 

[Irminsul]

It depends on where you are. In the lake where I usually dive you need the light at around 10 metres if you want to see anything on your display.
I personally don't look very often at my watch when I'm underwater so it would not bother me very much.

Greetings Jan

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[Søren Gade]

Thanks Jan for the reply,

However let me clarify. I have been spearfishing and freediving for many years, but what is new to me is to dive along a line with a lanyard down to 30+ meters. And I am not sure whether you actually look at your watch during this type of freediving.

 

[Irminsul]

Ok now I completely understand what you meant.

When I'm doing some deepdiving with a lanyard etc. I never look at my watch underwater. I look at it when I'm at the surface to see how deep my dive was but under water it would kill my concentration.

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[Søren Gade]

ok, that makes sense, and saves me from buying a new dive watch
Thanks a lot
Soeren

 

[Irminsul]

You're welcome

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[manalive!]

I also never look at my computer when pure freediving, except at the surface, so I'd agree that you'll be fine with no back light. You could wear a little head torch if it becomes a problem?

 

[Kiekerjan]

Since you will be in the ocean you will most likely have no problem reading your watch without a back light even at 30+ meters. But as others have mentioned there's no need to look anyway, knowing your depth and time can easily create a mental disadvantage and will most likely only complicate the dive. At most i'd put an alarm where your old PB is to prevent making too big jumps, though even this might not even be necessary because during the course they would probably limit the line appropriately to your level anyway.