ALADIN ALADIN AIR Z User manual

American
feet
THE SYSTEM
®
Active Light
SWISS MADE BY UWATEC AG
®
AIR Z
OPERATING MANUAL

2Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
Operating scheme for surface functions
Sleep
Surface Sleep
Ready or
Surface
Battery
capacity
1
2
3
54
5sec
(or 3min)
(or 3min)
3s
(or 3min) (or 3min)
NO STOP
depth dive time
max. depth deco info
automatically
DIVEPLAN
DIVEPLAN
input stage
LOGBOOK
LOGBOOK
input stage
tank data
psi
B and E B and + B and –

3
Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
The following symbols are used in the operating manual:
This operating manual makes use of the following icons to indicate especially important comments:
Remarks: Informations and tips which are important for optimal use of the functions of
your Aladin®Air Z.
Danger! Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result
in death or serious injury.
- + E
B
Operating instruction for manual input
Example: bridging contacts B and E
Flashing display
Acoustic alarm signal
Important remarks concerning signal words and symbols
January 2000, Copyright by Uwatec Switzerland
WARNING

4
Safety considerations
Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
You must carefully read and understand this entire manual before using your Aladin®Air Z.
Diving has many inherent risks. Decompression sickness is among the most
serious of those risks. Even if you follow the instructions of this manual in a
careful manner, it is still possible that you may be seriously injured or die from
decompression sickness or some other inherent risk of scuba diving. Unless
you are fully aware of these risks and are willing to personally accept and
assume responsibility for those risks, do not use the Aladin®Air Z !
The Aladin®Air Z is a sophisticated decompression tool to assist a trained and certified diver in making
decisions concerning dive planning and execution. As with any tool, the Aladin®Air Z may be misused if
the following safety and operational precautions are not strictly followed. If they are followed, careful use
of the Aladin®Air Z can increase your diving enjoyment and reduce your risk of decompression sickness.
If they are not, you will be placing yourself at serious risk for decompression sickness.
While the Aladin®Air Z is a technically advanced tool based on a mathematical model of decompression
sickness, neither it nor any other diving computer (or table) can exactly monitor the physiological changes
that occur in your body as you dive. In addition, each diver will vary in his or her susceptibility to decom-
pression sickness and each individual diver‘s own susceptibility may vary from day to day. Combined with
the fact that decompression modelling is an inexact science, and must be based to some extend on cer-
tain unproven assumptions, it is emphasis on you, the individual diver, to dive responsibly and to careful-
ly follow all standard safe diving practices as well as the recommendations contained in this manual.
Guidelines for the use of Aladin®Air Z:
The following guidelines for using Aladin®Air Z are derived from the latest medical research and the
recommendations of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences for diving with diving computers.
Following these guidelines will greatly increase your safety while diving, but cannot guarantee that decom-
pression sickness will not occur.
–The Aladin®Air Z is designed for dives made with compressed air only. Do not use the Aladin®Air Z for
dives made with nitrox or other mixed gases.
–In accordance with the recommended maximum diving limit of all instructional agencies, do not dive
deeper than 130 feet.
–Do not use the Aladin®Air Z for planned decompression diving. The decompression algorithm contai-
WARNING

5
Safety considerations
Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
ned in the Aladin®Air Z should be used only for emergency or unintended decompression.
–On all dives with the Aladin
®
Air Z, make a safety stop for at least one to three minutes within the 10
to 15 feet zone.
–Never use the Aladin®Air Z for repetitive, “square“dives deeper than 60 feet. A square dive is a dive
that is performed for its duration at a uniform depth.
–Always make the deepest dive of the day first when repetitive dives are planned, and for each dive make
sure that the deepest portion of that dive is done at the beginning of the dive.
–If your diving cylinder is equipped with a reserve or “J“-type valve, make certain that the reserve is in an
open (down) position. Failure to keep the reserve open will result in the improper calculation of dive data
depending on tank pressure.
–All divers using dive computers to plan dives and indicate or determine decompression status must use
their own computer which they take with them on all dives.
–If the Aladin®Air Z fails at any time during the dive, the dive must be terminated, and appropriate surfacing
procedures (including a slow ascent and a 3 to 5 minute safety stop) should be initiated immediately.
–On any given dive, all divers in a buddy group must follow the most conservative dive computer for that
particular dive.
–Repetitive dives after exchanging the dive computer: Wait at least 24 hour before you start with the
repetitive dive.
–Always observe the optical and acouctic alarm signals of the Aladin®Air Z. Avoid situations of increased
risk for decompression sickness which are marked with a warning sign in this operating manual.
–You MUST follow the ascent rates as indicated by the Aladin®Air Z, and should the computer fail for
any reason, you must ascend at a rate of no greater than 30 feet per minute.
–You MUST be familiar with all signs and symptoms of decompression sickness before using the Aladin®
Air Z! Seek IMMEDIATE treatment for decompression sickness should any of these signs or symptoms
occur after a dive! There is a direct correlation between the effectiveness of treatment and the delay bet-
ween the onset of symptoms and the treatment for decompression sickness.
–Never dive the Aladin®Air Z to the limits. Neither the Aladin®Air Z, nor any other diving computer or
decompression table should be pushed to its limits. Give yourself a margin of safety by always leaving
at least a few minutes in the “no-stop“box before making your ascent.
–Avoid repeated ascents and descents (yo-yo diving) while using the Aladin®Air Z.
–See also page 54-55 and 84.

6Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
Aladin®Air Z –The Diving System
Dive Computer
Aladin®Air Z
MemoMouse and
logbook software
DataTrak (Option)
- + E
BScreen Guard
(Optional: Several colours)
Transmitter
(Option)

7
Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
List of chapters
Aladin®Air Z –Introduction ___________9
1 Aladin®Air Z –Reducing Your Risk of
Decompression Sickness________________10
2 Aladin®Air Z –Your Personal Companion_10
3 The Calculation Model ZH-L8 ADT _________
3.1 Description _______________________12
3.2 Advantages _______________________13
4 Safety in Diving _______________________14
Aladin®Air Z –The System ___________15
1 Description
1.1 Structure _________________________16
1.2 Reliability of transmission ___________17
2 Transmitter
2.1 Operating modes and functions______18
3 Dive Computer
3.1 Operating ________________________19
Active backlight ___________________20
3.2 Operating modes __________________25
4 Setting Up (Transmitter and
Dive Computer)
4.1 Mounting of the transmitter_________29
4.2 Pairing of transmitter and
dive computer ____________________31
Diving with Aladin®Air Z ____________33
1 Terminology/Symbols
1.1 Display during no-stop phase ________34
1.2 Display during decompression phase__35
2 Attention Messages and Alarms ___________
2.1 Attention messages ________________36
I
2.2 Alarms ___________________________37
2.3 Alarm low battery _________________38
3 Preparation for the Dive ________________38
4 Functions during the Dive
4.1 Dive time_________________________40
4.2 Current depth_____________________40
4.3 Maximum depth___________________40
4.4 Ascent rate _______________________41
4.5 Decompression information _________43
4.6 Tank pressure (only with transmitter)__45
4.7 Remaining bottom time RBT_________46
5 Functions at the Surface
5.1 End of a dive _____________________48
5.2 Desaturation time _________________48
5.3 No fly time _______________________49
5.4 Warning of bubbles________________49
6 Diving in Mountain Lakes_______________50
Diving at Reduced Risk with
Aladin®Air Z ________________________53
1 Diving at Reduced Risk with Aladin®Air Z
1.1 Diving at reduced risk______________54
1.2 Minimizing risk on repetitive dives ___55
1.3 Response in increased risk situations _56
Logbook ____________________________59
1 Survey_______________________________60
2 Selection and Activation________________61
3 Selection of Dive ______________________62
4 Leaving Logbook-Mode ________________63
5 Output on PC ________________________64
II
III
IV
V

8Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
VII
Dive Planner ________________________65
1 Survey_______________________________66
2 Selection and Activation from
Ready-Mode__________________________66
3 Selection and Activation from
Surface-Mode ________________________67
4 Planning a No-Stop Dive ______________68
5 Planning a Decompression Dive _________70
6 Leaving the Dive-Plan-Mode ____________71
Communication Software
for Windows®_______________________73
1 MemoMouse, DataTrak and DataTalk
1.1 Personal programming of the
dive computer (DataTalk) ___________ 74
1.2 Analysis and storage of real
dives (DataTrak)___________________ 74
1.3 Updates (DataTrak, DataTalk)________ 74
Trouble Shooting ____________________75
1 Trouble Shooting ______________________76
Appendix ___________________________79
1 Maintenance _________________________80
2 Technical Information _________________ 81
3 Conversion of Tank Pressure ____________82
4 Warranty ____________________________83
4.1 Recognition of warranty ____________83
4.2 Scope of the warranty______________83
4.3 Warranty period and claim __________83
5 Serial No. / Dealer address ______________86
List of chapters
VIII
IX
VI

9
I Introduction
I Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
1 Aladin®Air Z – Reducing Your Risk of
Decompression Sickness _________________________________________10
2 Aladin®Air Z – Your Personal Companion _________________________________________10
3 The Calculation Model ZH-L8 ADT 3.1 Description ____________________________12
3.2 Advantages____________________________13
4 Safety in Diving _________________________________________14
I

10
1 Aladin®Air Z – Reducing Your Risk of Decompression Sickness
I Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
What can still increase your diving pleasure? The good feeling to have the highest possible safety and fre-
edom to move. A dive computer, which constantly controls the data of your dive and your individual beha-
vior, meets these requirements. Aladin®Air Z watches over the gas saturation of your body without inter-
ruption. With Aladin®Air Z you dive more safely than ever before, though you can make more of your
diving time thanks to the exact calculation of the air-supply. In addition, Aladin®Air Z offers an unmatched
comfort in carrying and operation. Aladin®Air Z gives you headway in safety due to the new calculation
model.
All informations necessary for safe diving are combined in one instrument.
The Aladin®Air Z can increase both your diving pleasure and safety by reducing your risk of decompressi-
on sickness provided you carefully follow theinstructions and guidelines given you in this manual. Unlike
previous diving computers, which only base their decompression information on depth and time data, the
Aladin Air Z also considers temperature anddiver workload, which are known to be additional risk factors
for decompression sickness. By considering these risk factors as well as monitoring your exact air supply,
the Aladin®Air Z allows you to plan and execute dives with a greater degree of safety than with other
models of decompression computers.
Please read this operating manual carefully and to the last page.
2 Aladin®Air Z – Your Personal Companion
By considering your individual depth and time profile, as well as workload and water temperature, the
Aladin®Air Z can be considered a personal diving control instrument. Relying on the latest results of medi-
cal and physiological research for its decompression modeling, the Aladin®Air Z differs from other diving
computers in a number of significant ways:
• The ZH-L8 ADT decompression calculation model considers eight body tissues as well as the diver‘s wor-
kload and ambient temperature. This allows for an even more precise calculation of a modeled risk for
decompression sickness which can lead to greater diving safety.
• Tank pressure readings are transmitted to the Aladin®Air Z by means of a transmitter. Faulty transmissi-
on of data between the transmitter and Aladin®Air Z is prevented by a number of precautions, and tank
pressure can be easily checked at any time. By monitoring the reduction in air pressure, the Aladin®Air
Z calculates the diver‘s work load and provides a prediction of the remaining time allowed at the current
depth based upon tank pressure and air consumption. Thus the remaining bottom time (RBT) displayed

11
2 Aladin®Air Z – Your Personal Companion
I Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
I
on the Aladin®Air Z considers depth, tank pressure, as well as air consumption to give the diver a more
accu-rate calculation of when the ascent must be begun according to the calculated decompression pro-
gram.
If a tank with a reserve or “J“-Type valve is used, the reserve must be in the
open (down) position in order to receive a correct air time calculation.
• The Aladin®Air Z uses both optical and acoustic alarms. The acoustic alarm uses varied sound signals to
assist in establishing the reason for the alarm.
You must strictly observe all optical and acoustic alarms and take appropria-
te action based upon those alarms to avoid serious injury or death from
decompression sickness!
• By using the Aladin®Air Z‘s logbook, a diver may directly call up information from the last 19 dives.
When interfaced with a personal computer (MemoMouce), 37 dives and 200 minutes of dive profile in
intervals of 20 seconds can be read out.
• The dive planner allows the advance planning of no stop dives with readily determinable surface intervals.
Although the Aladin®Air Z can be used to plan decompression dives, such
dives are beyond the realm of recreational or sport diving and must not be
attempted by recreational or sport scuba divers
• The Aladin®Air Z is designed to be mounted on the diver‘s left or right wrist, which offers the maxi-
mum freedom of movement as well as easy operation and use.
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING

12
3 Calculation Model ZH-L8 ADT
I Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
3.1 Description
The Aladin®Air Z uses a decompression calculation model known as the ZH-L8 ADT. This model uses eight
compartments or “tissue“ groups with nominal half time periods from 5 to 640 minutes. This model dif-
fers considerably from other models by its consideration of the following additional physiological proces-
ses:
1.Blood perfusion to the body‘s organs is not constant. Skin and muscle tissues are especially subject to
changes in blood perfusion, depending on temperature and work load. Changes in blood perfusion to
these organs change their nitrogen saturation tolerance. The model used by the Aladin®Air Z takes these
effects into account and thus the “skin“ and “muscle“ compartments in the Aladin®Air Z show varia-
ble half-time periods and saturation tolerances. Decompression information is calculated according to
the diver‘s individual workload and decrease in skin temperature. The decrease in skin temperature is
based upon the water temperature and the dive time. By considering these changes in saturation, the
time that must be spent at the surface prior to flying can be considerably lengthened, depend- ing upon
the depth, time, and tem- perature of a dive, as well as the diver‘s workload during that dive.
2.The decompression model used by the Aladin®Air Z considers nitrogen in both its dissolved as well as
its gaseous phase (microbubbles). Formation of microbubbles is considered to be a strong indicator of a
high risk of decompression sickness. The Aladin®Air Z model calculates the formation of microbubbels
depending on various assumed influences in arterial and venous blood. In normal, slow ascents, micro-
bubbles form mainly in venous blood. During fast ascents, microbubbles may also form in arterial blood
and in the body‘s tissues as well. If a particular dive profile may result in the creation of microbubbles
according to the Aladin®Air Z‘s model, decreased bottom time and/or increased decompression times
as well as increased “no fly“ time will be indicated.
• Microbubbles can form if the diver makes too fast an ascent, ignores required decompression stops, or
makes repeated ascents during a dive (yo-yo diving). These microbubbles can form in arterial blood as
well as in the body‘s tissues. If these microbubbles partially impair circulation, the rate of gas diffusion
and saturation tolerance for those tissues immediately surrounding this area of impaired circulation are
changed. If required, both decompression time and RBT will be adjusted in such a way that already exi-
sting microbubbles will stop growing. Increased decompression time will also assist those local areas of
impaired circulation to desaturate with less risk of decompression sickness.

13
3 Calculation Model ZH-L8 ADT
I Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
I
• The calculation of microbubbles results in altered ascent instructions. If microbubbles are assumed to be
present basedon the data used by the Aladin®Air Z, the ascent rate to the surface is reducted to 23
feet/minute. This will help prevent the formation of microbubbles in the arterial circulation and minimi-
zes formation of microbubbles in the venous circulation after the dive.
3.2 Advantages
On the first dives following responsible diving procedures, a diver using the Aladin®Air Z should never be
required to decompress, although a 1 to 3 minute safety stop between 10 and 15 feet is recommended
for every dive. If, however, unplanned circumstances arise during the dive which increase the risk of
decompression, the Aladin®Air Z can, if closely followed, reduce the risk of decompression sickness by
reducing remaining bottom time and/or increasing decompression time. Some of the more common risk
situations are as follows:
• Repetitive dives, especially those deeper than 60 feet and those with short surface intervals.
• Repetitive dives using square dive profiles.
• Repetitive diving over the course of several successive days.
• Diving in cold water.
• Diving with increased workloads.
• Yo-yo diving (repeated descents and ascents to the surface during a given dive).
• Flying within 24 hours after diving.
• Excessive ascent rate.
If a diver experiences any of these risk factors while diving, the Aladin®Air Z will decrease remaining bot-
tom time without requiring decompression, or will add required decompression time in order to help mini-
mize the risk of decompression sickness.
Do not use the Aladin®Air Z for planned decompression dives!
If signs or symptoms of decompression sickness occur after diving with Aladin®Air Z, seek IMMEDIATE tre-
atment at the nearest recompression facility.
WARNING

14
4 Safety in Diving
I Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
With its new decompression model and calculation of remaining air time at depth, the Aladin®Air Z is an
extremely versatile tool which can increase your diving comfort and safety. As with any diving tool, howe-
ver, ultimate responsibility for diving safety remains with the individual diver. The same responsible diving
practices taught by all diving certification agencies are still absolutely necessary in order to safely dive with
the Aladin®Air Z.
Certain mistakes which may be made by a diver, such as ascending at an excessive rate, going too deep,
or staying too long at depth, may be overcome if the diver carefully follows the Aladin®Air Z‘s corrected
ascent instructions. Of course, the Aladin®Air Z can do nothing to prevent the occurrence of lung over-
expansion injuries or nitrogen narcosis, whose avoidance lies solely with the individual diver. The Aladin®
Air Z is a highly sophisticated technical instrument which, if used and maintained properly, will have high
reliability. Despite that, no dive should be made with an Aladin®Air Z without a thorough understanding
of decompression theory and dive table use, and every diver must have a set of decompression tables with
him on every dive.
Do not use the Aladin®Air Z without a set of accepted diving tables with you
as a back up decompression tool on every dive.
Should decompression sickness occur, whether the Aladin®Air Z was used correctly or not, a detailed
history of the previous dives may be used to allow a better diagnosis and the most effective treatment for
the diver.
WARNING

15
II Aladin®Air Z – The System
II Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
1 Description 1.1 Structure _________________________________16
1.2 Reliability of transmission____________________17
2 Transmitter 2.1 Operating modes and functions ______________18
3 Dive Computer 3.1 Operating_________________________________19
Active backlight ___________________________20
3.2 Operating modes __________________________25
4 Setting Up (Transmitter and
Dive Computer) 4.1 Mounting of the transmitter _________________29
4.2 Pairing of transmitter and dive computer ______31
II

1.1 Structure
The Aladin®Air Z system consists of three units:
1The transmitter is installed at the high pressure outlet of the first
stage regulator. It measures tank pressure and radio-transmits
the measured results to the dive computer, where they are furt-
her analyzed for the calculation of air consumption and dive
data.
2The dive computer displays all important dive data. The bipartite
display shows general dive- and decompression data in the
upper part; data calculated on the basis of the measured tank
pressure are displayed in the lower part.
3The dive computer has a data memory which stores the dive
data. The data can be downloaded out into a MemoMouse from
where they can be transmitted to a Windows®personal com-
puter with the logbook program DataTrak. MemoMouse and
DataTrak are available as an option.
It is possible to use
Aladin®Air Z as a con-
ventional dive computer
without transmitter. In
this case calculations
depending on air data
are not available and the
lower part of the display
will not show air data.
16
1 Description
II Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
NO STOP
depth dive time
max. depth deco info
1
2
3
tank data
psi

17
1 Description
II Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
II
1.2 Reliability of transmission
Data transmission from transmitter to receiver is supported by various levels of redundancy in order to war-
rant undisturbed and reliable reception:
1.Each transmitter works with an allocated address. This address is communi-
cated to the dive computer on pairing. There are more than 60,000 addres-
ses. This assures that no two transmitters will transmit on the same channel.
The pairing of transmitter and receiver is also carried out by a process with
various safety levels in order to prevent faulty pairing.
2.Data are transmitted in an average interval of 5 seconds. The exact point in
time of the transmission is variable. This prevents two transmitters from
disturbing each other for longer periods.
3.Together with the pressure data additional information is transmitted. This
additional information allows the Aladin®Air Z to reconstruct faulty data and
recognize useless data.
By means of these redundant measures, faulty transmission is almost impos-
sible. In spite of that, the transmitted measurements are subjected to an addi-
tional plausibility check. Only such data are used which are sensible in the
current situation.

18
2 Transmitter
II Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
2.1 Operating modes and functions
Off-mode: When the tank valve is turned off and the regulator purged the transmitter is
in the off-mode. In that case, air pressure is measured every 5 seconds. When
pressure increases (on opening the valve), the transmitter leaves the off-mode
automatically. When the tank-valve is closed and the regulator purged (pressu-
re sinks below 116 psi), the transmitter falls back into off-mode.
Pair-mode: After switching on (opening the tank valve), the transmitter transmits its
address to the dive computer for a short time. This serves the adaptation of the
dive computer to the transmitter.
Transmission-mode: As long as tank-pressure is decreasing (during normal breathing) the pressure is
transmitted to the dive computer on an average of 5 seconds.
Standby-mode: If there is no decrease in tank-pressure (no breathing), the transmission is stop-
ped after 3 minutes in order to save energy. Pressure measuring continues.
As soon as breathing is resumed, the transmission also starts again – the trans-
mitter returns into transmission-mode.
The Aladin®Air Z transmitter will start working
when the tank valve is opened or when air is drawn
through the regulator.
The transmitter will not work if the tank valve is tur-
ned off and the regulator purged or if no air is
drawn through the regulator for a period of three
minutes.
The dive computer can only receive data from the
transmitter if the computer and transmitter are pai-
red. If the pairing has not been carried out, no air
data will be displayed by the dive computer. In that
case, Aladin®Air Z works as a conventional dive
computer.
NO STOP
depth dive time
max. depth deco info
tank data
psi
tank data
NO STOP
depth dive time
max. depth deco info
with transmitter without transmitter

19
2 Dive Computer
II Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
II
3.1 Operation
Switching on display: – automatically, on submerging in water or when adaptation to atmospheric
pressure is necessary.
– manually by operating contacts on housing.
Switching off display: – automatically, after three minutes without operation.
Aladin®Air Z has 4 operating contacts B, E, +, – on the outside of the housing. For manual operation touch
base contact B and any one of the other three contacts above the display with moistened fingers.
Contact B:
Base contact, which has to be touched for all operations.
Contact E:
Enter contact. It serves the switching on of the computer, the activation of log-
book and dive-plan-mode, and the switching between no-stop and decom-
pression planning. It is also used to confirm inputs and is therefore comparable
to the ENTER- or RETURN-key of a computer.
+ / – contacts:
They serve the selection of logbook and dive-plan as well as the setting of
values (time, depth, dive-number etc.).
B
- + E

20
3 Operating
II Uwatec®Aladin®Air Z
Active backlight
The display of the Aladin®Air Z can be illuminated both on the surface and underwater.
The backlight can be switched on by pressing the unit above the display.
The light will turn off automatically after 7 seconds.
The backlight can only be activated if the computer display is on.
• The active backlight is no substitute for a dive torch. When diving at night or
at increased depth we recommend the use of a dive torch.
• Replace the battery if the battery warning appears.
WARNING