Operating instructions
EMERGENCY DECOMPRESSION
After entering decompression, the prescribed decompression stop depths may move quickly through the 10, 20, 30 and
40 foot (3, 6, 9, 12 m) displays. Once you enter decompression, it is imperative that you ascend toward the required
stop depth immediately. If you continue the dive at a greater depth, you increase decompression risk and may also
exceed the operating limits of the computer to such an extent that the computer will cease to provide ascent informa-
tion.
WARNING: If the Matrix display indicates you have entered decompression mode, do not
descend further or remain at the same depth. The decompression stop obligation can in-
crease quickly and once the exposure requires a greater than 40-foot (12 m) stop, the Matrix
will enter Immediate Violation Mode, and no longer provide ascent information. This situation
increases the risk of decompression sickness and must be avoided.
Decompression diving requires special training and equipment. For these reasons, sport divers should not attempt
decompression diving. Making a dive that requires decompression stops should be avoided because you cannot ascend
directly to the surface without risking personal harm. If equipment problems delayed your ascent, your risk of decom-
pression sickness would increase. Your buddy would be unable to lend assistance without also risking decompression
sickness.
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Ascending Shallower than the Required Decompression Stop
The Matrix will enter a Conditional Violation Mode if you ascend shallower than the
indicated stop depth for less than five minutes. Figure 13 shows an example of a diver
at a depth of 15 feet (4.6 m) when his decompression stop is 20 feet (6.0 m). This
can easily happen if you temporarily lose control of your buoyancy, or get caught in a
surge or swell. Immediately after breaching the decompression stop depth, the total
ascent time (figure 12,a) starts to flash..
While in the Conditional Violation Mode, the Matrix stops calculating decompression
information. In fact, the computer penalizes you with 1.5 minutes of additional
decompression time for each minute spent above the decompression ceiling. For
example, if you have 10 minutes of decompression time and ascend shallower than
the decompression stop depth for 4 minutes, you will now have 16 minutes of
decompression time
(10 + (4 x 1.5) = 16).
If you descend to, or slightly below, the decompression ceiling within five minutes, the
Matrix will resume normal operation and allow you to complete the decompression
stop(s) successfully and allow you to keep diving for the rest of the day. If you stay
above the decompression ceiling for more than five minutes, the Matrix will enter
Delayed Violation Mode.
Figure 13
Conditional Violation
VIOLATION MODES
If you exceed certain limits, the Matrix will not be able to tell you how to get back to the surface. These situations will
make the Matrix enter Violation Mode and must be avoided at all costs. They push decompression theory to the limits
and can result in loss of some Matrix functions for 24 hours after the last dive of the day in which a violation occurred.
There are three different Violation Modes, which vary in seriousness. They are termed “Conditional Violation,” “Delayed
Violation Mode,” and “Immediate Violation Mode.” It is important to understand how each of these modes function and
how to carry out decompression procedures in the event you encounter one.
Conditional Violation Mode
Before a situation causes the loss of nitrogen monitoring functions, the Matrix enters Condition Violation Mode. If
properly handled, the Conditional Violation Mode will not only assist you in getting back to the surface, but will also
allow continued use of the computer. There is only one situation that forces the Matrix to enter a Conditional Violation
Mode: Ascending above the required decompression stop.