RETAILING
Highlight the Fitness Features Found in Modern Dive Computers – by Gretchen M. Ashton, CFT, SFT, SFN, SSC, NBFE Owner, ScubaFit ® , FitDiver ® , DiveFit ® , SurfWalking ™
Fitness wearables offer valuable ben- efits: they boost motivation, encourage consistency, provide measurable progress, and support healthier habits in both exercise and nutrition. People who already use fitness trackers are ex- cellent candidates for diving comput- ers with integrated fitness and heart
Interestingly, divers begin to advance their training more in their late thirties, and the average age for buying high-end diving equipment is 54. The gateway to wearable technology is typically fitness, while the gateway to more active diving clients is also fitness. Tracking Heart Rates For Nearly 20 Years: The first dive computer to feature heart rate tracking was the SCUBAPRO Galileo, launched by Johnson Outdoors in 2007. This innovation enabled the device to adjust decom- pression algorithms in real time based on the diver’s heart rate, providing a more personalized approach to diving safety. SCUBAPRO developed this feature in partnership with Polar Electro. Their latest model, the Galileo 3 (G3) Titanium, was released in 2025. SCUBAPRO offers a heads-up display and mask integration using Bluetooth technology that displays heart rate and dive data. Since then, other brands have advanced the integration of fitness metrics into dive computers. Suunto, originally part of Amer Sports and now owned by the Liesheng group, in- troduced the Ambit3 and Movescount App in 2014. This technology has evolved into the Suunto Ocean, a combined dive computer and GPS sports watch released in June 2024. Garmin entered the market in 2017 with a dive computer fea- turing heart rate monitoring using its Garmin Elevate tech- nology. Their most recent inno- vation is the Dive Readiness Tool on the Descent Mk3i, which analyzes a diver’s physical condition using heart rate and other metrics. Additionally, Oceanic+ by Huish Outdoors enabled the Apple Watch Ultra to function as a dive computer with heart rate monitoring and a freediving mode, starting in 2023. The Latest Technology’s Features: If we compare the four newest dive computers with heart rate monitoring, all four are primarily wristwatches. This is the greatest selling aspect as it works for topside and underwater applications for fitness monitoring. The SCUBAPRO Galileo 3 supports both wrist-based and chest strap (electromagnetic) heart rate sensors. All use variations of the Bühlmann decompression algorithm, with some offering additional customization (e.g., gradient factors, microbubble levels).
rate tracking. For many experienced users, the fitness and lifestyle bene- fits of heart rate monitoring in a dive computer can bring a more meaningful understanding of dive safety, especially if they understand individual perceived exertion through a fit- ness lifestyle. Today, Everyone Uses Technology With Fitness Tracking Capabilities. Over the past five years, the number of U.S. adults wearing smartwatches or fitness trackers has nearly doubled. Among fitness enthusiasts, about 75% track their health and fitness daily. Smartwatches have surpassed fitness trackers in popularity, while smart rings now dominate the fitness wearables market, accounting for roughly 75% of fitness tracker revenue in 2025. User ages range from 18 to 64, peaking between 35 and 44, where applications trend to- ward overall performance, then declining with age. Although there is less use from ages 45 to 64, older adults are still gaining interest, and many are introduced to wearable technology to monitor medical conditions. Most people use fitness wearables for much more than just counting steps or tracking calories. According to manufac- turers, recent technological advancements now allow these devices to monitor heart rate variability, blood oxygen levels, and sleep patterns, offering a comprehensive approach to personal health. Divers Are a Gateway to Wearable Technology: Active individuals are more likely to cross over to adventure sports like scuba diving. It is easy to find similarities in age and diver activity. DEMA and PADI both report an average age of cer- tification at 29, and peak participation between 25 and 54 years of age.
PAGE THIRTY-NINE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker