subsurface/Documentation/user-manual.txt

5515 lines
310 KiB
Text
Raw Normal View History

// Subsurface 5.0 User Manual
// ==========================
// :author: Manual authors: Willem Ferguson, Jacco van Koll, Dirk Hohndel, Reinout Hoornweg,
// Linus Torvalds, Miika Turkia, Amit Chaudhuri, Jan Schubert, Salvador Cuñat, Pedro Neves
// :revnumber: 5.0
// :revdate:February 2021
:icons:
:toc2:
:toc-placement: manual
:numbered:
// :website: https://subsurface-divelog.org
image::images/Subsurface4Banner.jpg["Banner",align="center"]
[big]#USER MANUAL#
*Manual authors*: Willem Ferguson, Jacco van Koll, Dirk Hohndel, Reinout Hoornweg,
Linus Torvalds, Miika Turkia, Amit Chaudhuri, Jan Schubert, Salvador Cuñat, Pedro Neves,
Stefan Fuchs
[blue]#_Version 5.0, February 2021_#
Welcome as a user of _Subsurface_, an advanced dive logging program with
extensive infrastructure to describe, organize, interpret and print scuba
and free dives. _Subsurface_ binaries are available for Windows PCs (Win 7 or later from
version 4.6 of _Subsurface_ onwards), Intel based Macs (OS/X) and many
Linux distributions. _Subsurface_ can be built for
many more hardware platforms and software environments where Qt and
libdivecomputer are available.
This manual explains how to use the _Subsurface_ program. To install
the software, consult the _Downloads_ page on the
https://subsurface-divelog.org/[_Subsurface_ web site].
Please discuss issues with this program by sending an email to
mailto:subsurface@subsurface-divelog.org[our mailing list] and report bugs at
https://github.com/Subsurface/subsurface/issues[our bugtracker]. For instructions on how to build the
software and (if needed) its dependencies please consult the INSTALL file
included with the source code.
*Audience*: Recreational Scuba Divers, Free Divers, Tec Divers, Professional
Divers
toc::[]
Using this manual
-----------------
When opened from within _Subsurface_, this manual does not have external controls for
paging or selecting previous pages. However, two facilities are provided:
- The _SEARCH_ function is activated by pressing control-F or command-F on
the keyboard. A text box appears at the bottom right-hand of the window (see image below).
For instance, typing the word "_weights_" into the search text
box, searches throughout the user manual. To the right of the
search text box are two arrows pointing up and down. These find
the previous and the next occurrence of the search term.
image::images/UserManualSearch.jpg["User manual functions",align="center"]
- _PREVIOUS/NEXT LINK_. Move between links (underlined words that
jump to specific sections in the user manual) by right-clicking on the text of the manual.
This brings up a context menu to PREVIOUS links selected.
(see image below). For instance if a link has been selected, then the option
to _Go Back_ shows the text at the previous link selected
(similar to the Previous Page button in a browser). Conversely the _Go Forward_ option
jumps to the
text seen before selecting the _Go Back_ option. The _Reload_
option reloads the complete user manual into the window.
image::images/UserManualLinksBack.jpg["User manual functions",align="center"]
[[S_StartUsing]]
Start Using the Program
-----------------------
The _Subsurface_ window is usually divided into four panels with a *Main
Menu* (File Edit Import Log View Help) at the top of the window (for Windows
and Linux) or the top of the screen (for Mac and Ubuntu Unity). The four panels are:
1. The *Dive List* on the bottom left, showing all the dives in the
user's
dive log. A dive can be selected and highlighted on the dive list by clicking on
it. In most situations the up/down keys can be used to switch
between dives. The *Dive List* is an important tool for manipulating a dive log.
2. The *Dive Map* on the bottom right, showing the user's dive sites on a world map
and centered on the site of the last dive selected in the *Dive List*. The map
scale can be increased or decreased.
3. The *Info* on the top left, giving more detailed information on the
dive selected in the *Dive List*, including some statistics for the selected dive or for all
highlighted dive(s).
4. The *Dive Profile* on the top right, showing a graphical dive profile of the
selected dive in the *Dive List*. You can zoom
into the dive profile for a more detailed view.
The dividers between panels can be dragged to change the size of any of
the panels. _Subsurface_ remembers the position of the dividers, so the next
time _Subsurface_ starts it uses the positions of the dividers from the last time the program was used.
If a single dive is selected in the *Dive List*, the dive location, detailed information
and profile of
the _selected dive_ are shown in the respective panels. If
several dives are selected, the last highlighted dive is the _selected
dive_, but summary data of all _highlighted dives_ is shown in the *Summary* tab
of the *Info* panel (maximum, minimum and average depths, durations, water
temperatures and SAC; total time and number of dives selected).
[[S_ViewPanels]]
image::images/MainWindow.jpg["The Main Window",align="center"]
Decide which of the four panels are displayed by selecting the
*View* option on the main menu. This feature has several choices of display:
*All*: show all four of the panels as in the screenshot above.
*Divelist*: Show only the Dive List.
*Profile*: Show only the Dive Profile of the selected dive.
*Info*: Show only the Notes about the last selected dive and statistics for
all highlighted dives.
*Map*: Show only the world map, centered on the last selected dive.
Like other functions that can be accessed via the Main Menu, these options
can also be triggered using keyboard shortcuts. The shortcuts
are shown with an underline in the main menu entries, with the Alt-key pressed,
or are denoted after the menu item.
When the program is started for the first time, it shows no
information at all, because it does not have any dive information available. In the
following sections, the procedures to create a new logbook will be explained.
[[S_NewLogbook]]
Creating a new logbook
----------------------
Select _File -> New Logbook_ from the main menu. All existing dive data are
cleared so new information can be added. If there are unsaved data in an
open logbook, the user is asked whether the open logbook should be
saved before a new logbook is created.
[[S_GetInformation]]
== Storing dive information in the logbook
Now that a new logbook is created, it is simple to add dive data it.
_Subsurface_ allows several ways of adding dive data to a logbook.
1) If the user has a handwritten divelog, a spreadsheet or another form of
manually maintained divelog, dive data can be added to the logbook using
one of these approaches:
- Enter dive information by hand. This is useful if the diver didnt
use a dive computer and dives were recorded in a written logbook. See:
xref:S_EnterData[Entering dive information by hand]
- Import dive log information that has been maintained either as a spreadsheet
or as a CSV file. Refer to: xref:S_Appendix_D[APPENDIX D: Exporting a spreadsheet to CSV format] and
to xref:S_ImportingCSVDives[Importing dives in CSV format].
2) If a dive is recorded using a dive computer, the depth profile
and a large amount of additional information can be accessed.
These dives can be imported from:
- The dive computer itself. See: xref:S_ImportDiveComputer[Importing new dive information from a Dive Computer];
- Proprietary software distributed by manufacturers of dive computers. Refer
to: xref:S_ImportingAlienDiveLogs[Importing dive information from other digital data sources or other data formats].
- Spreadsheet or CSV files containing dive profiles.
See: xref:S_ImportingCSVDives[Importing dives in CSV format from dive computers or other dive log software]
[[S_EnterData]]
=== Entering dive information by hand
This is usually the approach for dives without a dive computer. The basic record
of information within _Subsurface_ is a dive. The most important information
in a simple dive logbook usually includes dive type, date, time, duration,
depth, the names of your dive buddy and the dive guide, and
some remarks about the dive. _Subsurface_ can store much more
information for each dive. To add a dive to a dive log, select _Log
-> Add Dive_ from the Main Menu. The program then shows three panels
on which to enter
information for a dive: three tabs in the *Info* panel (*Notes*,
*Equipment* and *Information*), as well as the *Dive Profile* panel that displays a graphical profile
of each dive. These panels are respectively marked [red]#A#, [red]#B#, [red]#C# and
[red]#D#
in the figure below. Each of these tabs will now be explained for data entry.
image::images/AddDive1.jpg["FIGURE: Add dive",align="center"]
Most actions when editing a new dive can be individually undone, as described in the
section on <<S_undo,undoing edits>>, but changes
in the Profile panel are not yet included in that in-depth undo implementations, and therefore
_Subsurface_ enters *Editing Mode* when changes are made in this panel. This is
indicated by the message in the blue box at the top of the panels (see the image below).
image::images/BlueEditBar_f22.jpg["Blue edit bar",align="center"]
The _Apply changes_ button should be selected after all the profile segments for a dive has been entered.
If this hand-entered dive was not in the sea but at altitude away from the sea, you may wish to edit the xref:S_altitude[*altitude setting*] in the
*Information tab* because dives at altitude need special calculations.
In addition, the water type of this dive (e.g. sea water; fresh water) can be entered in the xref:S_salinity[*water type setting*] in the
*Information tab*. In order to do this, enable editing of water type in the
Dive log Preferences (_File->Preferences->Dive log_).
All edits to a new dive, including changes to the equipment after selecting the
_Apply changes_ button, are saved in memory but NOT written to storage. If you
don't manually save them before closing Subsurface, the program will
ask again, this time whether the complete dive log should be saved to storage or not.
[[S_CreateProfile]]
==== Creating a Dive Profile
The *Dive Profile* (a graphical representation of the depth of the dive as a
function of time) is shown in the panel on the top right hand of the
_Subsurface_ window. When a dive is manually added to a logbook, _Subsurface_
presents a default dive profile that needs to be modified to best represent the
dive described:
image::images/DiveProfile1_f20.jpg["FIGURE: Initial dive profile",align="center"]
_Modifying the dive profile_: When the cursor is moved around the dive profile,
its position is shown by two right-angled red lines as seen below.
The time and depth
represented by the cursor are indicated at the top of the black information box
(@ and D). The units (metric/imperial) on the axes are determined by the
*Preference* settings. The dive profile itself comprises several
line segments demarcated by waypoints (white dots on the profile, as shown
above). The default dive depth is 15 m.
If the dive depth was 20 m then you need to drag the appropriate waypoints
downward to 20 m. To add a waypoint, double-click on
any line segment. To move an additional waypoint, drag it. Moving can also
be done by selecting the waypoint and using the arrow keys.
To remove a waypoint, right-click on it and choose "Remove this point" from the
context menu. Drag the waypoints to represent an
accurate
time duration for the dive. Below is a dive profile for a dive
to 20 m for 30 min, followed by a 5 minute safety stop at 5 m.
image::images/DiveProfile2_f20.jpg["FIGURE: Edited dive profile",align="center"]
_Specifying the gas composition:_ The gas composition used is indicated
along the line segments of the dive profile. This defaults to the first gas
mixture specified in the *Equipment* tab, which was air in the case of the
profile above. The gas mixtures of segments of the dive profile can
be changed by right-clicking on the particular
waypoint and selecting the appropriate gas from the context menu. Changing
the gas for a waypoint affects the gas shown in the segment _to the right_ of
that
waypoint. Note that only the gases defined in the *Equipment* tab appear in the
context menu (see image below).
image::images/DiveProfile3_f20.jpg["FIGURE: Gas composition context menu",align="center"]
With the profile now defined, more details must be added to have
a fuller record of the dive. To do this,
the *Notes* and the *Equipment* tabs on the top left hand of the
_Subsurface_ window should be used. Click on
xref:S_Notes_dc[*this link*] for instructions on how to use these tabs.
[[S_ImportDiveComputer]]
=== Importing new dive information from a Dive Computer
==== Connecting and importing data from a dive computer.
The use of dive computers allows the collection of a large amount of
information about
each dive, e.g. a detailed record of depth, duration, rates of ascent/descent
and of gas partial pressures. _Subsurface_ can capture this information,
using dive details from a wide range of dive computers. The latest list of supported
dive computers can be found at:
link:https://subsurface-divelog.org/documentation/supported-dive-computers/[
Supported dive computers].
[icon="images/icons/warning2.png"]
[WARNING]
Several dive computers consume more power when they are in
PC-Communication mode. **This could drain the dive computer's battery**. We
recommend the user checks to be sure the dive computer is charged when
connected to the USB port of a PC. For example, several Suunto and Mares dive
computers do not recharge through the USB connection. Users should refer to
the dive computer's manual
if they are unsure whether the dive computer recharges its batteries
while connected to the USB port.
To import dive information from a dive computer to a computer with
_Subsurface_,
the two pieces of equipment must communicate with one another.
This
involves setting up the communications port (or mount point) of the computer
with _Subsurface_ that communicates with the dive computer. To set up
this communication, users need to find the appropriate information to
instruct
_Subsurface_ where and how to import the dive information.
xref:_appendix_a_operating_system_specific_information_for_importing_dive_information_from_a_dive_computer[Appendix A]
provides the technical information to help the user achieve this for different
operating
systems and
xref:_appendix_b_dive_computer_specific_information_for_importing_dive_information[Appendix B]
has dive computer specific information.
After this, the dive computer can be hooked up to the user's PC using these steps:
1. The interface cable should be connected to a free USB port (or the Infra-red
or Bluetooth connection set up as described later in this manual)
2. The dive computer should be placed into PC Communication mode.
(Refer to the manual of the specific dive computer)
3. In _Subsurface_, from the Main Menu, select _Import -> Import
From Dive Computer_.
dialog *A* in the figure below appears:
image::images/DC_import_f20.jpg["FIGURE: Download dialog 1",align="center"]
Dive computers tend to keep a certain number of dives in memory, even
though these dives have already been imported to _Subsurface_. For that reason, if
the dive computer allows this,
_Subsurface_ only imports dives that have not been downloaded before. This makes
the download process faster on most dive computers and also saves battery power
of the dive computer (at least for those not charging while connected via USB).
- The dialog has two drop-down lists, *Vendor* and *Dive Computer*. On the
*vendor* drop-down list select the make of the computer, e.g.
Suunto, Oceanic,
Uwatec, Mares. On the *Dive Computer* drop-down list, the model name of
the dive computer must be selected, e.g. D4 (Suunto), Veo200 (Oceanic), or Puck
(Mares).
- The *Device or Mount Point* drop-down list contains the USB or Bluetooth port
name that _Subsurface_ needs in order to communicate with the dive computer.
The appropriate port name must be selected. Consult
xref:_appendix_a_operating_system_specific_information_for_importing_dive_information_from_a_dive_computer[Appendix A]
and
xref:_appendix_b_dive_computer_specific_information_for_importing_dive_information[Appendix B]
for technical details on how to find the appropriate port information for a
specific dive
computer and, in some cases, how to do the correct settings to the operating
system of the computer on which _Subsurface_ is running.
Some dive computers disable this drop-down as they use other means to find and
connect to the device. For some dive computers the data entered here is actually
the mount point of the USB storage device as which the dive computer identifies
itself.
- Below the three drop downs are up to four shortcut buttons that allow you to
easily switch between multiple dive computers that you are frequently downloading
from. These buttons only appear once you have downloaded from different dive
computers.
- If all the dives on the dive computer need to be downloaded, check the
checkbox _Force download of all dives_. Normally, _Subsurface_ only downloads
dives after the date-time of the last dive in the *Dive List* panel. If one
or more of your dives in _Subsurface_ has been accidentally deleted or if there
are older dives that still need to be downloaded from the dive computer, this
box needs to be checked. Some dive computers (e.g. Mares Puck) do not provide
a contents list to _Subsurface_ before the download in order to select only new dives.
Consequently, for these dive computers, all dives are downloaded
irrespective of the status of this check box.
- If the checkbox _Always prefer downloaded dives_
has been checked and, during download, dives with identical date-times exist on
the dive computer and on the _Subsurface_
*Dive List* panel, the dive in the _Subsurface_ divelog will be overwritten
by the dive record from the computer.
- The checkbox marked _Download into new trip_ ensures that, after upload, the downloaded dives
are grouped together as a new trip(s) in the *Dive List*.
- Do *not* check the checkboxes labelled _Save libdivecomputer logfile_ and
_Save libdivecomputer dumpfile_. These are only used as diagnostic tools
when there are problems with downloads(see below).
- With some dive computers it is possible to adjust the clock on the dive
computer based on the PC clock. This can be very helpful when dealing with
daylight savings time changes, or when travelling between different time
zones. In order to synchronise the dive computer clock with the PC clock
every time dives are imported, check _Sync dive computer time_.
- Then select the _Download_ button.
With communication established, you can see how the data are
retrieved from the dive computer.
Depending on the make of the dive computer and/or number of recorded dives, this
could take some time. Be patient. The _Download_ dialog
shows a
progress bar at the bottom of the dialog. Remember for some dive computers
progress information could be inaccurate since _Subsurface_ doesnt know how much
downloadable data there are until the download is complete.
After the dives have been downloaded, they appear in a tabular format on the right-hand
side of the dialog (see image *B*, above). Each dive comprises a row in the table, showing the date, duration
and depth. Next to each dive is a checkbox: check all the dives that need to
be transferred to the *Dive List*. In the case of the image above, the last six dives are
checked and will be transferred to the *Dive List*. Then
click the _OK_ button at the bottom of the dialog. All the imported dives appear
in the *Dive List*, sorted by date and time. Disconnect and
switch off the dive
computer to conserve its battery power.
- If there is a problem in communicating with the dive computer, an error
message is shown, similar to this text: "Unable to open /dev/ttyUSB0 Mares
(Puck Pro)". Refer to the text in the box below.
****
*PROBLEMS WITH DATA DOWNLOAD FROM A DIVE COMPUTER?*
[icon="images/icons/important.png"]
[IMPORTANT]
Check the following:
- Is the dive computer still in PC-communication or
Upload mode?
- Is the dive computers battery fully charged? If not then charge or replace it.
- Is the connecting cable faulty? Does the cable work using other
software? Has it worked before, or is this the first time the cable is being used? Are the contacts
on the dive computer and the cable clean?
- Consult
xref:_appendix_a_operating_system_specific_information_for_importing_dive_information_from_a_dive_computer[Appendix A]
to be sure the correct Mount Point
was specified (see above).
- On Unix-like operating systems, does the user have write permission to the
USB port? If not, consult
xref:_appendix_a_operating_system_specific_information_for_importing_dive_information_from_a_dive_computer[Appendix A]
If the _Subsurface_ computer does not recognize the USB adapter by
showing an appropriate device name next to the Mount Point, then there is a
possibility the cable or USB adapter is faulty. A faulty cable is the most
common cause of communication failure between a dive computer and _Subsurface_.
Its also possible _Subsurface_ cannot interpret
the data. Perform a download for diagnostic purposes with the following
two boxes checked in the download dialog discussed above:
Save libdivecomputer logfile
Save libdivecomputer dumpfile
*Important*: These check boxes are only used when problems are encountered
during the download process. Under normal circumstances they should not be checked.
When checking these boxes, the user is prompted to select a folder where the information will be saved. The default folder is the one in which the
_Subsurface_
dive log is kept.
*Important:* _After downloading with the above checkboxes
checked, no dives are added to the
*Dive List* but two files are created in the folder selected above_:
subsurface.log
subsurface.bin
These files should be send to the _Subsurface_ mail list:
_subsurface@subsurface-divelog.org_ with a
request for the files to be analyzed. Provide the dive computer
make and model
as well as contextual information about the dives recorded on the dive computer.
****
[[S_Bluetooth]]
==== Connecting _Subsurface_ to a Bluetooth-enabled dive computer
[icon="images/icons/bluetooth.jpg"]
Bluetooth is becoming a more common way of communication between dive computers
and _Subsurface_. _Subsurface_ provides a largely operating system independent
Bluetooth interface. An increasing number of dive computers use Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE)
as a means of communication. However, BTLE is not a standardized protocol,
consequently adaptations need to be made for communicating with each different dive computer model. See the
link:https://subsurface-divelog.org/documentation/supported-dive-computers/[list of supported dive computers].
Bluetooth communication is often more reliable if all Bluetooth devices seen by the
_Subsurface_ computer are removed and pairing with the Bluetooth dive computer
is performed from afresh. The Bluetooth and BTLE interfaces are under active development
with respect to new dive computers that use these mechanisms of communication.
Setting up _Subsurface_ for Bluetooth communication requires
four steps:
- 1.Ensure Bluetooth is activated on the host computer running _Subsurface_.
- 2.Ensure _Subsurface_ sees the Bluetooth adapter on the host computer.
- 3.Ensure the Bluetooth-enabled dive computer is Bluetooth-discoverable and in PC upload mode.
- 4.Ensure _Subsurface_ is paired with the Bluetooth-enabled dive computer.
- 5.If more than one Bluetooth mode is available, select the appropriate mount point.
Select the Download dialog by selecting
_Import -> Import from dive computer_ from the *Main Menu*. After checking the
box labelled _"Choose Bluetooth download mode"_, the dialog below appears.
image::images/DC_import_Bluetooth.jpg["FIGURE: Download Bluetooth",align="center"]
Although the _Subsurface_ Bluetooth interface is intended to function without
Bluetooth pairing at the operating system level, it is always prudent to follow up
initial Bluetooth pairing problems by pairing the Bluetooth dive computer with
the _Subsurface_ computer using the operating system services of the desktop computer. Delete all
existing pairings and start by scanning for Bluetooth devices from an empty list
(on the desktop) of Bluetooth devices. Once _Subsurface_ has recognized the Bluetooth dive
computer, subsequent divelog downloads are likely to be simple.
On the _Linux_ or _MacOS_ platforms the name
of the _Subsurface_ computer and its Bluetooth address are shown on the right hand side.
The power state (on/off) of the Bluetooth adapter is shown below
the address and can be changed by checking the _Turn on/off_ box.
If the Bluetooth address is not shown, then _Subsurface_ does not see the local
Bluetooth device. Ensure the Bluetooth driver is installed correctly on the
_Subsurface_ computer and check if it can be used by other Bluetooth utilities like
_bluetoothctl_ or _bluemoon_. This completes the first two steps above.
Ensure the Bluetooth-enabled dive computer is in PC-upload mode and it
is discoverable by other Bluetooth devices. Consult the manual of the dive
computer for more information. Now the third item in the list above has been finished.
Select the _Scan_ button towards the bottom left of the dialog above. After
searching, the dive computer should be listed
(perhaps as one of a number of Bluetooth devices) in the main list box on the
left-hand side of the dialog (see image above). If this does not work, select
the _Clear_ button, then scan again for Bluetooth devices using the _Scan_
button. After taking these actions _Subsurface_ should see the dive computer.
On the left hand side, if the
computer has more than one local Bluetooth devices connected, use
the list box to indicate which one needs to connect to _Subsurface_.
The label of the discovered dive computer contains the name of the device, its
address and its pairing status. For BTLE devices the address often starts with "LE".
If the device is not paired and has a red
background color, a context menu can be opened by selecting the item with a
right-click.
Select the _Pair_ option and wait for the task to complete.
If necessary, consult the user manual of the
dive computer being used. This accomplishes steps 4 and 5, above.
****
[icon="images/icons/important.png"]
[IMPORTANT]
Currently _Subsurface_ does not support Bluetooth pairing with dive
computers that require a custom PIN code. In order to pair the devices, use other
OS utilities as suggested below.
One way to achieve this is to use +bluetoothctl+:
$ bluetoothctl
[bluetooth]# agent KeyboardOnly
Agent registered
[bluetooth]# default-agent
Default agent request successful
[bluetooth]# pair 00:80:25:49:6C:E3
Attempting to pair with 00:80:25:49:6C:E3
[CHG] Device 00:80:25:49:6C:E3 Connected: yes
Request PIN code
[agent] Enter PIN code: 0000
****
After the devices are paired, press the _Save_ button of the dialog.
This closes the Bluetooth dialog. Now select _Download_ in the _Download from
dive computer_ dialog which should still be open. The downloaded dives are
shown on the right-hand side of the download dialog.
===== On Windows:
image::images/DC_import_Bluetooth_Windows.jpg["FIGURE: Download Bluetooth on Windows",align="center"]
Bluetooth download on Windows is much the same as on Linux and MacOS.
A log message on the bottom left of the _Remote Bluetooth device selection_
shows details about the current status of the Bluetooth agent (see image above).
[icon="images/icons/important.png"]
[IMPORTANT]
Currently _Subsurface_ works only with local Bluetooth
adapters which use Microsoft Bluetooth Stack. If the local device uses
_Widcomm_, _Stonestreet One Bluetopia Bluetooth_ or _BlueSoleil_ drivers it
will not work. However, Bluetooth hardware/dongles from these manufacturers
(e.g. iSonic) that support the Microsoft Bluetooth Stack do work.
[icon="images/icons/important.png"]
[IMPORTANT]
The Subsurface support for BLTE dive computers on Windows is *EXPERIMENTAL* and only
supported on Windows 10.
Please make sure that you have the latest version of Windows 10.
link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_10_version_history#Version_1803_(April_2018_Update)[Version 1803] is a minimum
requirement. Also make sure that you have installed the latest drivers for your
motherboard and/or BTLE dongle.
[icon="images/icons/important.png"]
[IMPORTANT]
*IN CASE OF PROBLEMS*: If the Bluetooth adapter from the _Subsurface_ computer
gets stuck and the _Download_ process fails repeatedly,
_unpair_ the devices and then repeat the above steps. If this is not successful,
xref:S_HowFindBluetoothDeviceName[_Appendix A_] contains
information for manually setting up and inspecting the Bluetooth connection
with _Subsurface_.
[[S_DeviceNames]]
==== Changing the name of a dive computer
It may be necessary to distinguish between different dive computers used to
upload dive logs to _Subsurface_. For instance if a buddys dive computer is the
same make and model as your own and dive logs are uploaded from both dive computers
to the same _Subsurface_ computer, then
you might like to call one "Alice's Suunto D4" and the other
"Bob's Suunto D4". Alternatively, consider a technical diver who dives with two or more
dive computers of the same model, the logs of both (or all) being uploaded.
In this case it might be prudent to call one of them
"Suunto D4 (1)" and another "Suunto D4 (2)".
To achieve this, display a dive downloaded from this dive computer, right click on its name
in the profile and select the option to set a new nickname. If this option isn't shown, then
Subsurface cannot reliably identify this specific dive computer (not all models support this
feature, but most modern ones do).
[[S_MultipleDiveComputers]]
==== Uploading data for a specific dive from more than one dive computer
Some divers use more than one dive computer at the same time, e.g. during technical diving.
If you import the dive profiles from these different dive computers into _Subsurface_, the
profiles can be viewed independently. During upload the data from the dive computers are automatically
merged into a single dive. The different profiles are presented on the _Profile_ panel with
the name of each dive computer indicated at the bottom left as well as an indicator of the
number of dive computers uploaded for this dive (e.g."No. 2 of 2"). The original dive profile is
shown by default while profiles from additional dive computers are added "behind" that of the
first uploaded dive computer.
*While the dive is highlighted in the _Dive List_*, switch between the profiles of the
different dive computers by using the left/right arrow keyboard keys. If profiles from more than
one dive computer exists for a dive, right-clicking on the name of the dive computer
(bottom left of the profile panel) activates a context menu (image below) that allows one to make the selected
dive computer the one whose profile is shown by default: this changes the order in which the profiles
are shown when using the left-arrow and right-arrow keys. The context menu also allows deleting any of
the dive computers or to take the information from a specific dive computer and present that
as a separate dive.
image::images/dc_management.jpg["FIGURE:dc management",align="center"]
The data in the _Notes_ panel
are not affected by the specific dive computer that is selected.
[[S_EditDiveInfo]]
==== Updating the dive information imported from the dive computer.
With the uploaded dives in the *Dive List*, the information from the dive
computer is not complete and more details must be added to have
a full record of the dives. To do this,
the *Notes*, *Equipment* and *Information* tabs on the top left hand of the
_Subsurface_ window should be used. These three tabs represent a
increase in the amount of information stored for a dive.
1. The *Notes* tab
holds basic information about the dive, the date and time, locality,
buddy, dive guide and some dive notes. This is about the minimum amount of
information required for a coherent dive log.
2. If one wishes, one can expand the dive information by using the
*Equipment* tab to record information about the equipment used: cylinders
and their start and end pressures, dive suit used and weight system used.
3. Expanding the dive information even more, the *Information* tab is used
to record environmental information such as water type (usually fresh water or salt water),
temperatures, surface conditions and conditions during the dive, e.g. visibility
and current. For dives downloaded from a dive computer, water type and water temperature
are automatically provided in the *Information* tab. Some dive computers also
provide air temperature and altitude.
[[S_Notes_dc]]
===== The *Notes* tab
The procedure
below is virtually identical for hand-entered dives and for dives downloaded from a dive computer.
The date and time of the dive are
shown as obtained from the dive computer. In some cases,
provide the date and time of the dive, for example when entering a dive by hand or when a
dive computer doesnt provide this information. If you
click on the *Notes* tab, the following fields are
visible (left hand image, below):
image::images/AddDive3.jpg["FIGURE: The Notes tab",align="center"]
The right hand image, above, shows a *Notes tab* filled with dive information.
The *Date* and *Time* fields reflect the date and time of the dive. By clicking
the date, a calendar is displayed for selecting
the correct date. Press ESC to close the calendar.
The time values (hour and minutes) can also be
edited directly by clicking on each of them in the text box and by over-typing the
information displayed.
[[S_undo]]
****
*How to UNDO information that has been typed.* While editing a dive log you frequently
replace or modify existing information. Sometimes this is unintended. Let's say, for the moment,
the time of your dive computer was set incorrectly and the dive time in the
*Notes* tab is therefore incorrect. You wish to correct the time indicated in the *Notes* tab
to reflect the true dive time. The example in the images below reflect a small part
of the *Notes* tab where the dive time was changed from
8:44 (image a) to 7:44 (image b). Now, for some reason, you wish to return
to the initial time (08:44). Click on the _Edit_ heading in the main menu and
an option appears to undo the change in time (image c). Select this undo option
and the time is again shown as 8:44. This can also be achieved by typing Ctrl-Z (or CMD-Z on a Mac).
Having undone the change, a new option appears under
the _Edit_ heading: Redo the change (image d). If this option is selected, the change in
time is redone. The undo facility applies to the majority of information typed into the text
areas of _Subsurface_ and facilitates easy and accurate data entry. Multiple changes
to a specific dive and changes to multiple dives can be undone.
image::images/undo.jpg["FIGURE:Performing an undo",align="center"]
****
[[S_locations]]
*Location*:
[icon="images/icons/warning2.png"]
[WARNING]
Dive locations are managed as a *separate* part of the dive log (See the section entitled xref:S_DiveSiteManagement[Manipulating Dive Site Information]).
The dive information in the *Notes* and *Equipment* tabs can therefore NOT be edited at the same
time as the dive site information. Save all the other dive information (e.g.
dive guide, buddy, protective gear, notes about the dive) by selecting _Apply changes_ on the
*Notes* tab BEFORE editing the dive site information. Then supply a dive site name in the
textbox labelled _Location_ on the *Notes* tab.
*Using existing dive locations:* Type in the name of the dive site, e.g. "Tihany, Lake Balaton, Hungary".
If several dives are
made at the same location, the site information for the first dive is re-used.
Therefore, if a dive site has been used before, the name of that site (and sometimes
the names of similar sites) appears below the dive site text box (image below). Double-click on
the appropriate dive site name with associated coordinates and that site will be associated with the
dive being entered.
image::images/Location1.jpg["FIGURE:Location choice panel",align="center"]
*Entering a new dive location:* On the other hand, having dived at a new dive site,
a new record needs to be created
that could be used for the new and for later dives at this new site. Type the name of the new dive site into the text box
(image A below).
image::images/Globe_image1.jpg["FIGURE:Location creation panel",align="center"]
Double-click on the blue bar below the new dive location name. The blue bar disappears (image B above) and
the globe icon on the right-hand of the location name text box turns blue. In the Dive Map part of the _Subsurface_ window, a world map appears (image C above). Click on the
blue globe icon to the right of the dive site name in the _Notes_ panel (image B above). This opens a window for entering the details of the new dive location (image A below).
The globe icon changes to indicate that the location data are being edited. The only important
data here are the geographic coordinates of the dive location.
image::images/Globe_image2.jpg["FIGURE:Location creation panel",align="center"]
New dive locations can be recorded in one of four ways:
1. xref:S_existing_locations[Typing in known coordinates by hand]
2. xref:S_dive_map_location[Positioning the dive site flag on the dive map]
3. xref:S_GPS[Dive site coordinates from a GPS track]
[[S_existing_locations]]
*(1): Enter coordinates by hand* if they are known, using one of
four formats with latitude followed by longitude:
ISO 6709 Annex D format e.g. 30°13'28.9"N 30°49'1.5"E
or, alternatively, 30d13'28.9"N 30d49'1.5"E
Degrees and decimal minutes, e.g. N30° 13.49760' , E30° 49.30788'
Degrees minutes seconds, e.g. N30° 13' 29.8" , E30° 49' 1.5"
Decimal degrees, e.g. 30.22496 , 30.821798
Southern hemisphere latitudes are given with a *S*, e.g. S30°, or with a
negative value, e.g. -30.22496. Similarly western longitudes are given with a
*W*, e.g. W07°, or with a negative value, e.g. -7.34323. Some keyboards
don't have the degree sign (°). It can be replaced by a *d* like this: N30d W20d (see example above).
Enter any other contextual information about the dive site (Description and Notes),
then select _Apply Changes_ to save the geolocation for this dive site.
If the typed coordinate information does not conform to one of the above formats, the background
of the text box turns [white red-background]#RED#. Correct the typing error(s) and the background of the text box
turns white again as it should be.
Dive site information can later be added or edited by clicking the globe icon to the right of the
dive site name in the *Notes tab*.
[icon="images/icons/warning2.png"]
[WARNING]
GPS coordinates of a dive site are linked to the location
name - so *saving* a dive site with only coordinates and no name
causes problems. (Subsurface will think all of these
dives have the same location and try to keep their GPS coordinates the
same).
[[S_dive_map_location]]
*(2): Use the Dive Map to specify the coordinates.* The Dive map now shows
all the existing dive locations in grey as well as an additional marker in red
(image B above). Drag the red marker to the location of the dive site being entered.
The map can be dragged and zoomed using the mouse wheel. Position the red marker
by dragging it on the map, zooming in on the appropriate part of the map and placing
the marker at an appropriate position (image B below). The coordinates of the dive
location are automatically inserted into the appropriate text box in the dive location
information window (image A below). Enter any other contextual information about the dive site (Description and Notes),
then select _Done_ to save the geolocation for this dive site.
The dive site information can later be edited by clicking the globe icon to the right of the
dive site name in the *Notes tab*.
image::images/Globe_image3.jpg["FIGURE:Location creation panel",align="center"]
Once the dive location data have been saved, the dive on the Dive List has
a globe icon immediately to the left of the location name of a particular dive.
[[S_GPS]]
*(3): Import coordinates from GPS equipment.* Some divers prefer to take a GPS
onto the boat and record a GPS track while diving. Subsurface can extract the
dive site from this track and store the dive site coordinates as part of the dive log.
Follow the next steps:
1. Connect the GPS to your desktop computer. Most GPS equipment have a USB
port for connecting to a desktop computer and GPS track recordings can be
opened from the desktop computer. Make sure you can see the correct track
on the GPS as a .GPX file. Alternatively copy the appropriate .GPX file
from the GPS to a directory on your desktop computer.
2. In the *Dive List*, select the dive to be edited and specify a name for the dive site
using the Locality field in the *Notes* panel.
3. Open the *Dive site management panel* by selecting the blue globe icon to the right
of the Locality text box of the *Notes* tab.
4. Select the button "Use GPS file" to the right of the Coordinates text box (see image A
above). This opens a file selection dialog.
5. Select the appropriate .GPX file on the GPS, or alternatively, the .GPX file that
has been copied from the GPS to the desktop computer. Subsurface reads the .GPX file
and compares the dive time with the times of the GPS track. The result is shown in
the panel in the image below.
6. GPS tracks are recorded in UTC time, that is the time at a longitude of zero degrees,
often referred to as "Greenwich time". In order to obtain the local time for the
GPS track, it is necessary to know the time zone of the dive site. For instance, in the
above example the time zone was UTC+2, that is 2 hours after UTC. Set the
UTC time zone in the appropriate text field shown in the image below.
7. Even though the .GPX standard requires dive tracks in UTC time, most GPS devices can
show the local time. Make sure your GPS device shows the same local time as your
dive computer. If the times are not identical, then specify a correction in the bottom
text box of the panel illustrated below.
8. The colored icon to the right of the _Start and end times_ in the above panel shows the
degree of synchronization between dive computer and GPS device. A green icon
indicates that the GPS track coincides with the time of the dive. A yellow icon
indicates partial synchronization while a red icon indicates that the dive and the
GPS track are at different times and that coordinates cannot be extracted. Make
sure that the GPS date and the dive date are the same.
9. Finally, select the _Save_ button at the bottom right of the panel. This updates
the coordinates in the *Dive site management* panel and moves the flag on the map
to the locality corresponding to the coordinates. Then close the panel.
image::images/gpx_read.jpg["FIGURE:Import GPs coordinates",align="center"]
*Dive site name lookup:* If you typed coordinates into the appropriate
text box, you can do an automated name lookup based on the coordinates.
This is done when _Subsurface_ uses the Internet to find the name of the dive site
based on the coordinates that were given. If a name is found, it is
automatically inserted into the tags box. The list box
(Titled _Dive sites on same coordinates_") at the bottom
of the dive site panel contains the names of other dives sites used at the
current location. For instance if the dive site is "Blue Hole" and there are several
sites named "Blue Hole", all of them are listed.
Enter any other contextual information about the dive site (Description and Notes),
then select _Apply Changes_ to save the geolocation for this dive site.
The dive site information can later be edited by clicking the globe icon to the right of the
dive site name in the *Notes tab*.
Having entered information about the dive site into the *Notes* tab, the following
additional information can be typed in:
*Dive guide*: The name of the dive guide should be entered in this field
which offers auto selection based on the list of dive guides in
the current logbook.
*Buddy*: In this field, enter the name(s) of the buddy or buddies
(separated with commas) who were on the
dive. Auto selection based on the list of buddies in the current logbook is
offered.
*Rating*: Provide a subjective overall rating of the dive on a
5-point scale by clicking the appropriate star on the rating scale.
*Tags*: Tags that describe the type of dive done can be entered
here (separated by commas). Examples of common tags are boat, drift, training,
cave, etc.
_Subsurface_ has many built-in tags. By starting to type a tag, _Subsurface_ lists
the tags that correspond to the typing. For instance, by typing
+cav+, the tags *cave* and *cavern* are shown to choose from.
*Notes*: Any additional information for the dive can be entered here.
The image xref:S_Notes_dc[at the beginning of this section]
shows an example of a *Notes tab* after completing the dive information.
===== The *Equipment* tab
The Equipment tab allows entering information about the type of
cylinder and gas used, as well as the weights used for the dive. This is a
highly interactive part of _Subsurface_ and the information on
cylinders and gases (entered here) determines the behavior of the *Dive profile*
(top right-hand panel).
[[cylinder_definitions]]
*Cylinders*: The cylinder information is entered through a dialog that looks
like this:
image::images/DC_gas-dialogue1_f20.jpg["FIGURE: Initial cylinder dialog",align="center"]
For hand-entered dives, this information needs to be typed in. For dive computers,
_Subsurface_ often gets the gas used from the dive computer and
automatically inserts the gas composition(% oxygen or % helium) in the table. The + button
at the top right allows adding more cylinders for this dive. The dark
dustbin icon on the left allows you to delete information for a cylinder.
Note that it is not possible to delete a cylinder if it is used during the
dive. A cylinder might be implicitly used in the dive, even without a gas change event.
Start by selecting a cylinder type on the left-hand side of the
table. To select a cylinder, the _Type_ box should be clicked. This
brings up a list button that can be used to display a dropdown list of
cylinders:
image::images/DC_gas-dialogue2_f20.jpg["FIGURE: The cylinder drop-down list button",align="center"]
The drop-down list can then be used to select the cylinder type that was used
for this dive, or just start typing in the box which shows the available
options for the entered characters. The
*Size* of the cylinder as well as its working pressure (_Work.press_) will
automatically be shown in the dialog.
Next, indicate the starting pressure and the ending pressure of the
specified gas during the dive. The unit of pressure (metric/imperial)
corresponds to the settings chosen in the _Preferences_.
[[S_newcyl]]
****
[icon="images/icons/important.png"]
[IMPORTANT]
*MY CYLINDER IS NOT LISTED IN THE DROPDOWN LIST*
Maybe the cylinder type you dive with is not listed in the dropdown list. Let us say that you
dive with 7-litre twins at 300 bars and these do not appear in the dropdown list. The image below shows
the _Cylinder table_ as it might appear after selecting the _Equipment_ tab and before specifying
any cylinder information:
image::images/Newcyl-Initial.png["FIGURE: Initial display of cylinder table",align="center"]
Start by selecting the existing cylinder in the table and clicking on the
name of that cylinder type. The cylinder type changes to a dropdown box, recognized by the down-arrow
next to the cylinder name (see image below)
image::images/Newcyl-selection.png["FIGURE: Selecting cylinder name in cylinder table",align="center"]
This activates the cursor on the cylinder type. Overtype the cylinder type with your new cylinder type (image below).
*Important:* Overtyping a cylinder type does not affect the name that is being overtyped. The usual convention is that
double cylinders are prefixed with a "D" to indicate "double". In our case we have a manifolded twinset of two
7-litre 300 bar cylinders. This could be named "D7 300 bar" rather than "14 300 bar". However, use a rule that works for you.
image::images/Newcyl-name.png["FIGURE: Typing new cylinder name",align="center"]
and press ENTER on the keyboard. This is a critical step where most users go wrong. Pressing the ENTER key
is the action that creates a new cylinder type (image below). Merely clicking an adjacent cell in the table does not
create the new cylinder type.
image::images/Newcyl-create.png["FIGURE: Creating ne cylinder type",align="center"]
The new cylinder type now appears on the dropdown list. Add a size and start pressure for that
cylinder (image below).
image::images/Newcyl-final.png["FIGURE: Final details for new cylinder type",align="center"]
****
Finally, provide the gas mixture used. If air was used, the
value of 21% can be entered into the oxygen box or this field can be left blank. If nitrox or
trimix were used, their percentages of oxygen and/or helium should be entered.
Any inappropriate fields should be left empty. After typing the
information for the cylinder, save the data
either by pressing _ENTER_ on the keyboard or by clicking outside the cell
containing
the cursor. Information for any additional cylinders can be added by using the + button
at the top right hand. Here is an example of a complete description
for a dive using two cylinders (air and EAN50):
image::images/CylinderDataEntry3_f20.jpg["FIGURE: a completed cylinder dive information table",align="center"]
*Suit*: Here the type of dive suit used can be entered.
Auto selection of the suit description is available.
Some dry-suit users may choose to use this field to record what combination of
suit and thermal undersuit was used.
*Weights*: Information about the weight system used can be entered
using a dialog similar to that of the cylinder information. If you click
the + button on the top right of the weights dialog, the table looks like
this:
image::images/WeightsDataEntry1_f20.jpg["FIGURE:The Weights dialog",align="center"]
By clicking on the _Type_ field, a drop-down list becomes accessible through a
down-arrow:
image::images/WeightsDataEntry2_f20.jpg["FIGURE:Weights type drop-down list button",align="center"]
This can be used to select the type of weight system
used during the dive. You may start typing in the box
to specify a different weighting mechanism that will be saved by _Subsurface_.
In the *Weight*
field, type in the amount of weight used during the dive. After
specifying the weight
system, save the data by pressing _ENTER_ on the keyboard or by clicking outside the
cell with the cursor.
Its possible to enter information for more than one weight system by adding
an additional system
using the + button on the top right hand. Weight systems can be deleted using
the dust bin icon on the left hand. Here is an example of information for a dive
with two types of weights: integrated as well as a weight belt:
image::images/WeightsDataEntry3_f20.jpg["FIGURE: A completed weights information table",align="center"]
===== The *Information* tab
The Information tab serves two purposes:
1. Allow divers to enter information about the environment with respect to a specific dive.
2. Show some dive information that is not displayed elsewhere.
Below is an example of an Information tab with complete information:
image::images/Infotab.jpg["FIGURE: A Information tab showing full information",align="center"]
For technical or freedivers, the *Dive mode* can be selected. *Dive mode*: This is a dropdown box
allowing you to choose the type of dive
performed. The options are OC (Open Circuit SCUBA, the default setting, for most recreational dives),
Freedive (dive without SCUBA equipment), CCR (Closed-circuit
rebreather) and pSCR (Passive semi-closed rebreather).
Use the Information tab to also enter environmental information for a dive.
*Air/water temperatures*: Air and water temperatures during the dive are shown
in text boxes to the right of the Start time. Many dive computers supply water
temperature information and this box may contain that.
If air temperature isnt provided by the dive computer, the first temperature reading
might be used for the air temperature. Generally this is close to the real air temperature.
If editing is required, only a value is required, the units of temperature will be
automatically supplied by
_Subsurface_ (following the _Preferences Units_, metric or imperial units will
be used).
[[S_salinity]]
The *Water type/density* field shows the information reported by the dive computer. _This field is
editable only if it is enabled in the Log Preferences (File->Preferences->Dive log)_. When enabled, for instance for manually-entered dives
without dive computer information, select the desired water type
using the dropdown box. The following water types are available:
1. Fresh water, usually at inland dive sites or in caves.
2. Brackish water, water that contains a little salt.
3. EN13319, an value defined in the European CE standard for dive computers that represents neither
fresh water or sea water. This value is available on some dive computers and is regarded by some
as a safe value for both fresh water and sea water.
4. Salt water encountered in the sea.
The topic of water salinity is complex because it differs somewhat between different oceans. A warning icon
is shown if the water type reported by the dive computer currently displayed is different from
the value that is typed here. The water density value (corresponding to salinity) is automatically calculated
from the choice of water type.
[[S_altitude]]
[icon="images/atmpress.jpg"]
[NOTE]
*Altitude* If this dive was away from the sea and your dive computer does not record atmospheric
pressure or altitude you may wish to edit the altitude because dives at altitude require special calculations.
The text box *Atm. pressure/Altitude* allows this. If this text box
contains a value, dive calculations take into account altitude. The dropbox on the
right allows two ways of expressing atmospheric pressure: mbar or m/ft above sea level.
The altitude unit (metric/imperial) is taken from the settings in the _Units Preferences_ screen. A
third option is to use the atmospheric pressure provided by the dive computer. In order to specify
the pressure/altitude, first select the appropriate unit in the dropbox (in the case of the image on the left
these are "mbar/m/Use DC", then type an appropriate value into the text box. In the case
of m/ft the altitude typed into the text box is automatically converted to the
mean expected atmospheric pressure (mbar) at the specified altitude.
In the case of "Use DC", no value is required in the text box. Atmospheric pressure provided by a dive
computer does not need any editing.
Recording of five dive conditions that can be done on a five star rating scale. The convention is that the most comfortable
environmental condition is marked with five stars, while the most unpleasant condition only
gets one star. An environmental condition with no stars is assumed to have no rating, e.g. surface waves in a cave.
*Visibility*: Provide a qualitative rating of visibility during the
dive on a 5-point scale by clicking the appropriate star.
*Current*: Provide a qualitative rating of water current strength during the
dive on a 5-point scale by clicking the appropriate star.
The following three environmental parameters can be entered if they are enabled in the _Log Preferences_ (File->Preferences->Dive log)_:
*Surface waves*: Provide a qualitative rating of the size of surface waves (swell/chop) when entering or leaving the water.
*Surge*: Provide a qualitative rating of water surge strength during the
dive on a 5-point scale by clicking the appropriate star.
*Chill*: Provide a qualitative rating of your perception of how cold you got during the
dive.
==== Editing several selected dives simultaneously
_METHOD 1_: After downloading dives from
a dive computer, the dive profiles of each is shown in the *Dive profile* tab, as well
as a few items of information
in the *Notes* tab (e.g. water temperature) and in the *Equipment* tab (e.g. gas pressures
and gas composition). Other fields remain empty.
It may be useful to simultaneously edit some of the
fields in the *Notes* and *Equipment* tabs. For instance, its possible
that a diver performed several dives during a single day, using identical equipment at the same
dive site, or with the same dive guide and/or buddy or tags. Instead
of completing the information for each
dive separately, select all the dives for that day in the *Dive List* and
insert the same information in the *Notes* and *Equipment* fields that need
identical information. This is done by editing the dive notes or the equipment for any one
of the selected dives.
Simultaneous editing only works with fields that do not already contain information.
This means if some fields have been edited for a particular dive among the selected dives,
these are not changed while
editing the dives simultaneously. Technically, the rule for editing several dives simultaneously is:
if the data field being edited contains _exactly the same information_ for all the dives that have been
selected, the new, edited information is substituted for all the selected dives. Otherwise only the
edited dive is
changed, even though several dives have been selected in the *Dive List*. This speeds
up the completion of the dive log after several similar dives.
[[S_CopyComponents]]
_METHOD 2_:There is a different way of achieving the same goal. Select a dive with all the appropriate information
typed into the *Notes* and *Equipment* tabs. Then, from the main menu, select _Log -> Copy dive components_.
A box is presented with a selection of check boxes for most of the fields in the *Notes* and *Equipment* tabs.
Select the fields to be copied from the currently selected dive, then select _OK_. Now, in the *Dive List*,
select the dives
into which this information is to be pasted. Then, from the main menu, select _Log -> Paste dive components_.
All the selected dives now contain the data initially selected in the original source dive log.
[[S_Bookmarks]]
==== Adding Bookmarks to a dive
Many divers wish to annotate dives with text that indicate particular events,
e.g. "Saw dolphins", or "Released surface buoy". This is easily
done:
- Right-click at the appropriate point on the dive profile.
This brings up the dive profile context menu. Select _Add bookmark_. A red flag is
placed on the dive profile at that point (see *A* below).
- Right-click on the red flag. This brings up the context menu (see *B* below). Select _Edit name_.
- A text box is shown. Type the explanatory text for the bookmark (see *C* below). Select _OK_.
This saves the text associated with the bookmark.
- Hovering the mouse over the red bookmark, the appropriate text is shown at
the bottom of the information box (see *D* below).
image::images/Bookmarks.jpg["FIGURE: Bookmark dialog",align="center"]
==== Saving the updated dive information
The information entered in the *Notes* tab and the *Equipment* tab can be
saved by using the
two buttons on the top right hand of the *Notes* tab. If the _Apply changes_ button
is clicked,
the dive data are saved in the memory image of the dive. If the _Discard changes_
button is clicked, the newly entered dive data are
erased from the computer memory, although the dive profile is
retained. When the user exits _Subsurface_ there is a final prompt to confirm
the new data should now be saved permanently on the computer disk.
=== Importing dive information from other digital data sources or other data formats
[[S_ImportingAlienDiveLogs]]
Many divers log their dives using the proprietary software provided by the
manufacturers of their dive computers. _Subsurface_ can import dive logs from a range of
other dive log software. While import from some software is supported natively,
others require
export of the dive log to an intermediate format that can then be imported
into _Subsurface_.
Currently, _Subsurface_ supports importing CSV log files from several sources.
Dive log import from APD LogViewer, XP5, Sensus and Seabear files are
preconfigured, but because the import is flexible, users can configure their own
imports.
Manually kept log files (e.g. a spreadsheet) can also be imported by
configuring the CSV import.
_Subsurface_ can also import UDDF and UDCF files used by some dive log
software and some dive computers, like the Heinrichs & Weikamp DR5. Finally,
for some dive log software like Mares Dive Organizer we currently recommend
importing the logbook first into a web service like _divelogs.de_ and then import
from there with
_Subsurface_. Divelogs.de supports a few additional logbook formats that
_Subsurface_ currently cannot handle.
If the format of other software is supported natively on Subsurface, select
either _Import -> Import log files_ or _File -> Open log file_. Notice that
the import adds the imported data to the current *Dive list*, and the open style
starts a new dive list. _Subsurface_ supports the data formats
of many dive computers, including Suunto, Shearwater and some CCR equipment. When importing dives, _Subsurface_
tries to detect multiple records for
the same dive and merges the information as best as it can. If
there are no time zone issues (or other reasons that would cause the
beginning time of the dives to be significantly different) _Subsurface_
will not create duplicate entries. Below is more specific information
to import data to _Subsurface_.
==== Using the universal import dialog
[[Unified_import]]
Importing dives from other software is done through a universal interface
activated by selecting _Import_ from the Main Menu, then clicking on
_Import Log Files_ to bring up dialog *A*, below. The exact appearance
of this dialog differs between operating systems.
image::images/Import1_f20.jpg["FIGURE: Import dialog: step 1",align="center"]
Towards the bottom right is a dropdown selector with a default label
of _Dive Log Files_ which accesses different types of direct imports
available, as in dialog *B*, above. Currently these are:
- XML-formatted dive logs (DivingLog 5.0, MacDive and several other dive log systems)
- Cochran dive logs
- UDDF-formatted dive logs (e.g. Kenozooid)
- UDCF-formatted dive logs
- Poseidon MkVI CCR logs
- APD Inspiration/Evolution CCR logs
- LiquiVision logs
- divelogs.de logs
- OSTC Tools logs
- JDiveLog
- Suunto Dive Manager (DM3, DM4, DM5)
- Seac SeacSync
- DL7 files used by Diver's Alert network (DAN)
- Underwater technologies AV1 dive logs
- Divesoft dive logs
- Poseidon MK VI eCCR dive logs
- CSV (text-based and spreadsheet-based) dive logs, including APD CCR logs
Selecting the appropriate format from the dropdown list and then the specific log file in the main window
containing the file list. Then select the _Open_ button near the bottom right.
If the dive log being imported is in CSV format, the user is given the
opportunity to perform manual edits to the column headers before it is imported
to _Subsurface_ (see image below).
image::images/Import_csv.jpg["FIGURE: Import dialog: step 2",align="center"]
For more information on configuring a CSV import, see
xref:S_ImportingCSVDives[Importing data in CSV format].
In many cases changes to the column headers are not required because
they are pre-configured for the specific type of import and
the CSV import screen can be bypassed by selecting the _OK_ button.
This opens the imported dive log in the _Subsurface_ *Dive List*.
Some other formats not accessible through the Import dialog are also supported, as explained below.
==== Importing from OSTCTools
_OSTC Tools_ is a Microsoft-based suite of dive download and dive management tools for the OSTC
family of dive computers. _OSTC Tools_ downloads dive data from the dive computer and stores it
as a binary file with file extension _.dive_ . Subsurface can directly import these files when using
the universal import dialog. From the dropdown list at the bottom right select
_OSTCTools Files (.dive .DIVE)_. This makes the _OSTC Tools_ dive logs visible in the file list
panel. Select one or more dive, then click the _Open_ button. The OSTC dives are shown in the
*Dive List* panel.
All H&W devices supported by OSTCTools can be imported to _Subsurface_. This includes
OSTC, OSTC Mk2, OSTC 2N/2C, OSTC3, OSTC Sport, and probably although untested, Frog, OSTC2 and
OSTC CR.
Please remember that OSTCTools is *not* true diving log software, but rather a useful set of tools
for analysis and management of OSTC devices. Only raw dive computer data will be
imported to _Subsurface_; the rest of the
data (buddies, equipment, notes, etc) need to be completed manually.
==== Importing from Mares Dive Organizer V2.1
Since Mares uses proprietary Windows software not compatible with
multi-platform applications, these dive logs cannot be
directly imported into
_Subsurface_. Mares dive logs need to be imported using a three-step process,
using _www.divelogs.de_ as a gateway to extract the dive log information.
1. Export the dive log data from Mares Dive Organizer to your
desktop, using
a _.sdf_ file name extension. Refer to xref:Mares_Export[Appendix C] for more
information.
2. Data should then be imported into _www.divelogs.de_. First, create a user
account in
_www.divelogs.de_ and Log into that web site, then
select _Import Logbook -> Dive Organizer from the menu on the left hand side.
The instructions must be carefully followed to transfer the dive information
(in _.sdf_ format) from the Dive Organizer database to _www.divelogs.de_.
3. Finally, import the dives
from _divelogs.de_ to _Subsurface_, using the instructions below.
[[S_SmartTrakImport]]
==== Importing Scubapro _SmartTrak_ divelogs
_SmartTrak_ stores the raw data from a Uwatec/Scubapro dive computer along with a plethora
of other data manually added by the user, ranging from dive points to buddies data or DAN survey
info. However, this is Microsoft Windows-based proprietary software by Uwatec (today Scubapro)
using Microsoft Access databases, preventing the integration the importer into the _Subsurface_
core application.
A stand alone tool for Linux has been developed to import the _.slg_ files
generated by SmartTrak to Subsurface's _.xml_ format. It can be downloaded
from https://subsurface-divelog.org/downloads[the usual _Subsurface_ repository],
as a Windows installer or a Linux AppImage.
The application is not currently supported on Mac.
It can also be built for Linux systems. Two dependencies need to be met in your
system before building: _glib2.0_ and _mdbtools_ (see below).
In addition, a web service is available for divelog conversions from SmartTrak to _Subsurface_ (see below).
Feel free to contact the _Subsurface_ development team on mailto:subsurface@subsurface-divelog.org[our mailing list]
for assistance in importing _SmartTrak_ dive logs.
===== Building _smtk2ssrf_
Assuming the above dependencies
have been installed and the _Subsurface_ source tree is in the directory _~/src/subsurface_, then:
- Move to the source tree directory out of _Subsurface_ (e.g. ~/src)
- Run " $ ./subsurface/scripts/smtk2ssrf-build.sh ", if every thing has gone
fine, you will now have an executable named smtk2ssrf in
~/src/subsurface/smtk-import/build
- You can run it from this directory, copy it to another one, e.g. _~/bin_ or
simply run "sudo make install", and the binary will be installed in
/usr/local/bin (which is commonly included in every $PATH).
- The script has some options mostly useful for development purposes. If you
think you may need them, please read comments on script header itself.
- *WARNING*: While building smtk2ssrf, a light version of _Subsurface_ is
built (usable but lacking a lot of features). So, if you commonly use the
built executable placed at ~/subsurface/build/, you will need to rebuild it as
explained in this manual above.
===== Running
_smtk2ssrf_ accepts 0, 2 or more parameters. If it is launched without
parameters in a graphical user interface, a simple window
opens for choosing the _.slg_ file(s) to import and a destination file to store the
_Subsurface_-formatted data into (see image below).
image::images/smtk2ssrf.jpg["FIGURE:Download from SmartTrak",align="center"]
[icon="images/icons/warning2.png"]
[WARNING]
Existing data in the destination file will be
erased, so *DO NOT* use a regular subsurface divelog file as a destination:
rather, specify a *new* filename as a destination.
If launched from a command line with two or more parameters, the format is as follows:
$ smrtk2ssrf /input/file_1.slg /input/file_2.slg /output/file3.xml
where _input_ is the directory containing the .slg file(s) and _output_ is the
directory where the _Subsurface_-formatted output is written to.
Files _file_1.slg_ and _file_2.slg_ in the _input_ directory are imported and stored
in _file3.xml_ in the _output_ directory. Check any warning and error messages
in the console or in the graphical window: some may be
relevant as support for Galileo family of dive computers is still a work in
progress.
===== For the lazy: a web service to convert _SmartTrak_ to _Subsurface_
Open the website at:
_https://thetheoreticaldiver.org/rch-cgi-bin/smtk2ssrf.pl_
This is a no-frills
web service for converting _SmartTrak_ dive logs to _Subsurface_. Select the browse button. This allows
you to browse your computer directories and to select the _SmartTrak_ divelog to be converted. Once it has been selected,
click the _Submit query_ button. After a short while, a dialog box appears (image below) for saving the converted file to
the local computer.
image::images/strk2ssrf_web.jpg["FIGURE:Web service to convert SmartTrak divelog",align="center"]
===== Merging the imported dives with the existing divelog
Open the new file (generated in the previous steps) using _Subsurface_ and check the dives and data.
If everything is fine, close the _.xml_ file and open your regular divelog.
Then from the *Main Menu* select _Import -> Import log file_ and choose the
_.xml_ file containing the imported dives: these will show in the *Dive List*, time
ordered, along with the existing dives.
The new dives, although time ordered, will keep the numbering system from
_SmartTrak_, so a renumbering action is needed. See the section on xref:S_Renumber[Renumbering
the dives] for instructions on this topic.
[[S_ImportingDivelogsDe]]
==== Importing dives from *divelogs.de*
Importing dive information from _divelogs.de_ is simple, using a single
dialog box. The _Import -> Import from Divelogs.de_ option should be selected
from the Main Menu. This
brings up a dialog box (see image *A* below). Enter a
user-ID and password for _divelogs.de_ and then
select
the _Download_ button. Download from _divelogs.de_ starts immediately,
displaying a progress bar in the dialog box. At the end of the download, the
success status is shown (see image *B*, below). The
_Apply_ button should then be selected, after which the imported dives appear in the
_Subsurface_ *Dive List* panel.
image::images/Divelogs1.jpg["FIGURE:Download from Divelogs.de",align="center"]
[[S_ImportingSeacSync]]
==== Importing dives from SeacSync
_Subsurface_ can directly import the database generated by the proprietary SeacSync
application. Simply locate the database file on your computer, then use the
<<Unified_import, universal import dialog.>>
On Windows 10, The SeacSync database is typically found in:
C:\[USERNAME]\AppData\Roaming\SeacSync\divesDB.db
_Subsurface_ will not modify the database during import, so it can be imported directly from this
location.
[[S_ImportingCSVData]]
==== Importing data in CSV format
A comma-separated file (.csv) can be used to import dive information either as dive profiles
(as in the case of the APD Inspiration and Evolution closed circuit rebreathers) or as dive
metadata (in case the user keeps dive data in a spreadsheet). The _CSV_ format is a universal
simplified format that allows easy information exchange between different computers or
software packages. For an introduction to CSV-formatted files see xref:S_CSV_Intro[A Diver's
Introduction To CSV Files]. _Subsurface_ dive logs can also be exported in _CSV_ format to
other software that reads this format. See xref:S_Appendix_D[APPENDIX D: Exporting a spreadsheet
to CSV format] for information that may be helpful for importing spreadsheet-based data
into _Subsurface_.
[[S_ImportingCSVDives]]
===== Importing dives in CSV format from dive computers or other dive log software
_CSV_ files can be viewed using an ordinary text editor. A _CSV_ file is normally organized into
a single line that provides the headers (or _field names_ or _column headings_) of the data
columns, followed by the data, one record per line.
There are two types of _CSV_ dive logs that can be imported into _Subsurface_:
1. _CSV dive details_: This dive log format contains similar information to that of a
typical written dive log, e.g. dive date and time, dive depth, dive duration, names of
buddy and dive guide and information about cylinder pressures before and
after the dive, as well as comments about the dive. All the data for a single
dive go on a single line of text, following the order of the column headings.
2. _CSV dive profile_: This dive log format includes much more information about a single
dive. For instance there may be information at 30-second intervals, indicating depth, water
temperature, and cylinder pressure at that moment in time. Each line contains
the information for a single instant in time during the dive, 30 seconds after that
of the previous instant. Many lines
are required to complete the depth profile information for a single dive. This is a common
export format used by closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) dive equipment and many software
packages that handle dive computer data and/or dive logs.
Before being able to import the _CSV_ data to _Subsurface_ *you need to know a few
things about the data being imported*:
a. Which character separates the different columns within a single line of
data? This field separator should be either a comma (,) a semicolon (;) or a TAB character.
This can be determined by opening the file with a text editor. If it is
comma-delimited or semicolon-delimited, the comma or semicolon
characters between the values are clearly visible. If these are not evident and
the numbers are aligned in columns,
the file is probably TAB-delimited (i.e. it uses a TAB as a field separator).
b. Which data columns need to be imported into _Subsurface_? Is it a _CSV dive details_
file or a _CSV dive profile_ file? Open the file using a text editor and note
the titles of the columns to be imported and their column positions.
c. Is the numeric information (e.g. dive depth) in metric or in imperial units?
With this information, importing the data into _Subsurface_ is
straightforward. Select
_Import -> Import Log Files_ from the main menu. In the resulting file
selection menu, select _CSV files_ (towards the bottom right). This shows all .CSV files in the selected
directory. Select the file that needs to be imported. A configuration panel
appears as depicted below:
image::images/csv_import1_f20.jpg["FIGURE: CSV download dialog 1",align="center"]
At the top left, there is a dropdown list containing pre- configured
settings for common dive computers and software packages.
If the _CSV_ file being imported originated from any of
these pre-configured items, select it. Otherwise use the _Manual Import_
option. The configuration panel also has dropdown lists for the specification of the appropriate
field separator (Tab, comma or semicolon), the date format used in the _CSV_ file,
the time units (seconds, minutes or minutes:seconds), as well as the unit system
(metric or imperial). Selecting the appropriate options among these is critical for
successful data import.
Complete this by ensuring that all the data columns have the appropriate
column headings. The top blue row of the data table contains the column
headings found in the _CSV_ data file. The blue row of balloons immediately above these
contains the names understood by _Subsurface_. These balloons can be moved using a drag-and-drop action. For
instance, _Subsurface_ expects the column heading for Dive number (" # ") to be "Dive # ". If
the column heading that _Subsurface_ expects is not in the blue row, drag the
appropriate balloon from the upper area and drop it in the appropriate blue
cell at the top of the table. For example, to indicate the correct column for "Dive #", drag
the ballooned item labelled "Dive # " and drop it in the blue
cell immediately above the white cell containing " # ", depicted in
the image below.
image::images/csv_import2_f20.jpg["FIGURE: CSV download dialog 2",align="center"]
Continue in this way to ensure all the column headings in the blue row of
cells correspond to the headings listed in the top part of the dialog.
When finished, select the _OK_ button on the bottom right of the dialog.
The data from the _CSV_ file are imported and shown in the *Dive List* panel.
[[S_CSV_Intro]]
****
*A Diver's Introduction to _CSV_ Files*
[icon="images/icons/important.png"]
[IMPORTANT]
_CSV_ is an abbreviation for a data file format: _Comma-Separated Values_. It is a
file format that allows you to view or edit information using a text editor like
Notepad (Windows), gedit (Linux) or TextWrangler (OS/X). There are two main advantages of
the _CSV_ format. First, the data are easily editable as text without any proprietary software.
Second, all information is human-readable, not obscured by any custom or
proprietary attributes that proprietary software inserts into files.
Because of its simplicity the _CSV_ format is used
as an interchange format between many software packages, e.g. between
spreadsheet, statistical, graphics, database and diving software. Within _Subsurface_, _CSV_ files can also
be used to import information from other sources like spreadsheet-based dive logs and
some dive computers.
The most important attribute of a
_CSV_ file is the _field separator_, the character used to separate fields within a single line. The
field separator is frequently a comma, a colon, a SPACE character or a TAB character. When exporting data from
spreadsheet software, the field separator needs to be specified in order to create the _CSV_ file. _CSV_ files are
normally organized into a single line that provides the headers (or _field names_) of the data columns,
followed by the data, one record per line. Note that each field name
may comprise more than one word separated by spaces; for instance _Dive site_, below. Here is an example of
dive information for four dives using a comma as a field separator:
Dive site,Dive date,Time,Dive_duration, Dive_depth,Dive buddy
Illovo Beach,2012-11-23,10:45,46:15,18.4,John Smith
Key Largo,2012-11-24,09:12,34:15,20.4,Jason McDonald
Wismar Baltic,2012-12-01,10:13,35:27,15.4,Dieter Albrecht
Pulau Weh,2012-12-20,09:46,55:56,38.6,Karaeng Bontonompo
The above data are not easily read by a human. Here is the same information in TAB-delimited format:
Dive site Dive date Time Dive_duration Dive_depth Dive buddy
Illovo Beach 2012-11-23 10:45 46:15 18.4 John Smith
Key Largo 2012-11-24 09:12 34:15 20.4 Jason McDonald
Wismar Baltic 2012-12-01 10:13 35:27 15.4 Dieter Albrecht
Pulau Weh 2012-12-20 09:46 55:56 38.6 Karaeng Bontonompo
It is clear why many people prefer the TAB-delimited format to the comma-delimited format. The
disadvantage is that you cannot see
the TAB characters. For instance, the space between _Dive_ and _date_ in the top line may be
a SPACE character or a TAB character (in this case it is a SPACE character: the tabs are before and
after _Dive date_). If the field names in the first line are long, the alignment with data in the other lines
cannot be maintained. Here is a highly simplified and shortened TAB-delimited example of a _CSV_ dive log
from an APD closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) dive computer:
Dive Time (s) Depth (m) pO~2~ - Setpoint (Bar) pO~2~ - C1 Cell 1 (Bar) Ambient temp. (Celsius)
0 0.0 0.70 0.81 13.1
0 1.2 0.70 0.71 13.1
0 0.0 0.70 0.71 13.1
0 1.2 0.70 0.71 13.2
0 1.2 0.70 0.71 13.1
10 1.6 0.70 0.72 12.7
20 1.6 0.70 0.71 12.6
30 1.7 0.70 0.71 12.6
40 1.8 0.70 0.68 12.5
When a _CSV_ file is selected for import, _Subsurface_ displays the column headers as well as some of the data
in the first few lines of the _CSV_ file, making it much easier to work with _CSV_ files.
_CSV_ files can be used in many contexts for importing data into a _Subsurface_ dive log.
Knowing a few basic things about the content of the _CSV_ file helps with a smooth import
of the dives into _Subsurface_.
****
[icon="images/icons/important.png"]
[IMPORTANT]
But, the _CSV_ import has a couple of caveats. Avoid some special characters
like ampersand (&), less than (<), greater than (>) and double quotes (") as part
of the numbers or text within a cell. The
file should use UTF-8 character set, if using non-ASCII characters. Also the
size of the _CSV_ file might cause problems. Importing 100 dives at a time
(_CSV dive details_) works, but larger files might exceed
the limits of the parser used. When encountering problems with _CSV_ imports, first try with
a smaller file to make sure everything works.
[[S_DiveSiteManagement]]
=== Manipulating Dive Site Information
The dive site information of all dives is managed as a separate entity independent of the dive information.
Selecting the rightmost tab of the *Notes panel*,
labelled "Dive sites" brings up the _dive sites management panel_ (image below).
Linking a dive to a dive site is performed from within the Notes tab showing the information for
that dive (see the section on xref:S_locations[Locations]). On the other hand the dive sites management panel allows
dive-independent data to be managed. A new dive site can be created either while editing a dive (within the *Notes* tab,
see xref:S_locations[Locations]) or it could be created within the dive sites management panel (image below).
image::images/DiveSitesTab.jpg["FIGURE: Dive sites tab",align="center"]
If a description for a dive site has previously been entered, this is shown in the panel
as well as the number of dives at each site. The list of sites can be ordered by clicking
on any of the three headings. A dustbin and an edit icon are on the left of each dive site name.
The following actions are possible for managing the collection of dive sites:
==== Filter the list of dive sites
At the top right of the dive site management panel is a text box (see image above). If you wish to only show dives
from a particular site, then type a partial dive site name such as "Genova". This shows only the dive sites
that have been described for Genova, assuming that the word "Genova" forms part of the dive site name
or description.
==== Edit a dive site
The information for each dive site can be edited either from from within the *Notes* tab or
within the *Dive sites* tab. In order to edit the dive site information, select the
Edit icon to the left of the dive site name (see image above). Editing dive site information
from within the *Notes* tab is discussed in the section on xref:S_locations[Locations] where
each of the fields in the dive site edit panel is explained.
image::images/DiveSiteEdit.jpg["FIGURE: Dive site edit",align="center"]
Add any desirable information to the tab. Editing of coordinates is explained in the
section dealing with xref:S_locations[Locations]. Having finished editing the dive site information,
select the Done button at the top. This returns you to the dive sites management panel.
==== Merge dive sites
Merging two or more dives is achieved in the dive site edit panel (see image above). We assume that the dive
sites that need merging are not far apart. Merging is performed by selecting a dive site and then merging
other dives with this selected dive site. In the edit panel, above, select the text box labelled "Show dive sites
in the range of:" and provide a critical distance that would include the site that needs to be merged with the present site.
A list of sites within this range is presented (see image below).
image::images/DiveSiteMerge.jpg["FIGURE: Dive sites merge",align="center"]
Select the dive site to be merged by right-clicking it. A confirmation
message is presented (see image above). Clicking the confirmation message merges the selected dive with
the dive named at the top of the panel and returns you to the dive sites management panel.
Alternatively, if exactly one dive site is selected in the 'Near dive sites' list, there is an additional function 'Merge current site into this site' available in the context menu. This can be helpful if the name of the destination dive site is not known, e.g. when importing dive sites from a third party source.
==== Add a dive site
At the top right of the dive sites management table is a round button with a "+". Clicking that button inserts a
new site entitled "New dive site" into the list (image below). The new site can also be deleted (maybe after erroneously
clicking the + icon or you realized the dive site already exists) by selecting _Edit -> Undo_ from the main menu or by typing Ctrl-Z (or CMD-Z on a Mac) while the dive sites management table has focus. Edit this new site by selecting its edit icon and provide a name,
coordinates and, if preferred, a description. Clicking
the "Done" button in the edit panel returns you to the dive sites management panel.
image::images/DiveSiteInsert.jpg["FIGURE: Add dive site",align="center"]
==== Delete a dive site
On the left of each dive site is a dustbin icon. Clicking the dustbin deletes that site. If there are any
dives performed at that site, a warning message is shown (see image below). If this site is then deleted,
the location(s) of dives that used this site would need to be created.
image::images/DiveSiteDelete.jpg["FIGURE: Delete a dive site",align="center"]
==== General approach to the use of the dive sites list
Since the dive sites list is managed separately from the dive list, it is possible to add dive sites to the list
even though these sites have not been used for any dives. In this case the column labelled "# of dives" shows a zero.
This makes it possible for divers to share dive sites and sites can be created before any of them are dived. Alternatively
a site can be created with a useful description such as "Ann dived this site last summer and she saw huge numbers of
bumphead parrotfish. She said Jan - Apr is the best time. I hope to dive there myself". In this way the dive sites
list becomes a repository of useful information outside of the dive list.
==== Delete unused dive sites
At the top left of the dive sites management panel is a button "Purge unused dive sites". Selecting this button
deletes all the dive sites that do not have associated dives.
[[S_LoadImage]]
=== Adding photographs or videos to dives
Many (if not most) divers take photographs or videos
during a dive. We term these as _media_, meaning either photos or videos. _Subsurface_
allows the storage and display of these media for each dive. Images are
superimposed on the dive profile at the times during the dive when they were taken. Media can be viewed either
from the dive profile or from the _Media_ tab in the *Notes Panel*. _Subsurface_ allows viewing of photographs
as well as video files in a unified interface.
==== Loading media and synchronizing between dive computer and camera
Right-click on a dive or on a group of dives on the dive list, bringing up the xref:S_DiveListContextMenu[Dive list context Menu].
Select the appropriate option to import media either from
file or from the Internet. The system file browser appears. Select the folder and
media that need to be loaded into _Subsurface_ and click the _Open_ button. Towards the
bottom of the file browser is a filter that allows showing media (photos and videos),
only photographs, only videos, or all files. Choose the appropriate option.
image::images/LoadImage2_f20.jpg["FIGURE: Load images option",align="center"]
If media are imported from the Internet, provide a URL pointing to a single media.
If the URL points to a directory, no images are imported: images from the Internet
need to be imported one at a time. If media are loaded from the Internet, _Subsurface_
assumes there is an Internet connection each time this item is viewed within
_Subsurface_.
Having selected the local folder or Internet image to be imported, the time
synchronization dialog appears (see image below). The time
synchronization is not perfect between the dive computer used during a dive
and the camera used during that same dive. These two devices
often differ by several minutes. _Subsurface_ attempts to synchronize them
so that the exact times of media can be used to position media on
the dive profile.
_Subsurface_ synchronizes camera with dive computer in three ways:
- *Pro-actively*: Before the dive, ensure synchronization of the dive computer time settings with
the time settings of the camera by changing the date-time settings on one or both of these devices.
- *Manually*: Writing down the exact camera time at the start of a dive allows using the
difference in time between the two devices. As long as the device
settings for time has not been changed in either device, the times of
both devices after the dive or even at the end of the day allows manually setting the time
difference in the _Time shift_ dialog (see image below). Towards the top of the dialog is a time
setting tool immediately under the heading _Shift times of image(s) by_, in the image below.
If the camera time is 7 minutes later than that of the dive computer, set the time setting
tool to a value of 00:07 and select the _Earlier_ radio button.
This is appropriate, since the media need to be shifted
7 minutes earlier (camera is 7 minutes ahead of dive computer). Ignore any "AM" or "PM" suffix
in that tool. Click the _OK_ button and synchronization is done.
image::images/LoadImage3b_f23.jpg["FIGURE: Synchronization dialog",align="center"]
- *By photograph*: There is a very slick way of achieving synchronization, requiring a
photograph of the face of the dive computer showing the time. _Subsurface_ gets
the exact time the photograph was taken, using the metadata the camera stores within
each photo and compares this with the time visible on the photo. To do this, use the
bottom half of the _Time shift_ dialog. In this case the top part of the dialog is ignored. Click on
the horizontal bar called _Select image of dive computer showing time_. This brings up
a file browser for selecting the photograph of the dive computer time. Select the
photograph using the file browser and click on _OK_. This photograph of the dive computer
appears in the bottom panel of the _Shift times_ dialog. Now _Subsurface_ knows exactly
when the photograph was taken. Now set the date-time dialog to the left of the photo
so it reflects the date and time of the dive computer in the photo. When the
date-time tool has been set, _Subsurface_ knows exactly what the time difference between
camera and dive computer is, and it can synchronize the devices. The image below shows
a photograph of the face of the dive computer and with the date-time tool set to the
date-time.
image::images/LoadImage3c_f23.jpg["FIGURE: Synchronization dialog",align="center"]
If the timestamp of a photograph or video is more than 30 minutes before or after the dive, it is not placed on
the dive profile (see the red warning in the image above). However, If the appropriate checkbox is
selected (see image above) these images can still be placed on the _Media_ tab of the *Notes* panel
so that all media associated with a dive are visible, including images taken before or after the dive.
[[S_ViewMedia]]
==== Viewing the media
****
*Ensuring that thumbnails are created for video files*
[icon="images/icons/important.png"]
[IMPORTANT]
Within a panel _Subsurface_ represents media by means of thumbnails (i.e. small versions of images
that allows listing many images. For a photograph, a thumbnail can easily be
created because the image is well defined. But, since a video comprises many images, the question arises of
which image should be used for the thumbnail. Two actions are required to create thumbnails of videos:
* The appropriate settings need to be set in the _Media Preferences_ (_File->Preferences->Media_).
* The program _ffmpeg_ needs to be installed in the computer that runs Subsurface.
Full details are provided in <<S_APPENDIX_F,APPENDIX F>>.
****
After the media have been loaded, they appear in two places:
- the _Media_ tab of the *Notes Panel* (left part of image below).
- as tiny icons (stubs) on the dive profile at the appropriate positions reflecting the time
each photograph or video was taken.
To view the media on the dive profile, activate the _Toggle media_ button in the tool bar
to the left of the dive profile:
image::images/icons/ShowPhotos_f20.png["FIGURE:Show photos toolbar button",align="left"]
This results in a profile display as in the image below:
image::images/LoadImage4.jpg["FIGURE: Media on dive profile",align="center"]
Hover the mouse over any of the media stubs. A thumbnail image
is shown of the appropriate media. See the image below:
image::images/LoadImage5.jpg["FIGURE:Thumbnail photo on dive profile",align="center"]
Clicking on the thumbnail brings up a full size
photo or video overlaid on the _Subsurface_ window, allowing a good view of
the media (see the image below). *Note* that the thumbnail on the dive profile
has a small dustbin icon in the bottom right hand corner (see image above). Selecting
the dustbin removes the image from the dive. Be careful
when clicking on a thumbnail. Images
can also be deleted using the _Media_ tab (see text below).
image::images/LoadImage6_f20.jpg["FIGURE: Full-screen photo on dive profile",align="center"]
==== The _Media_ tab
Media associated with a dive are shown as thumbnails in the _Media_ tab of the *Notes
Panel*. Media taken in rapid succession during a dive (therefore sometimes with large
overlap on the dive profile) can easily be accessed in the _Media_ tab. This tab serves as
a tool for individually accessing the media of a dive, while the stubs on the dive profile
show when during a dive when a photo/video was taken. The size of the thumbnails in the _Media_ tab can be changed using
the _Zoom level_ slider at the bottom of the panel. Single-click a thumbnail in
the _Media_ panel to select a photo/video. Double-click a thumbnail to view the full-sized image
or play the video, overlaying the _Subsurface_ window. Delete media from the _Media_ panel by selecting
it (single-click) and then by pressing the _Del_ key on the keyboard. This removes it BOTH
from the _Media_ tab as well as the dive profile.
By right-clicking on a video and selecting the "Save dive data as subtitles" option, a subtitles
file with the same name as the video but with an ".ass" extension is created that contains
time dependent dive data (runtime, depth, temperature, NDL, TTS, surface GF) to be overlayed
with the video. The VLC video player automatically finds this file upon playing the video
and overlays the dive data. Alternatively, the ffmpeg video encoder can be used to create a
new video file with the dive data encoded in the video stream. To do so run
ffmpeg -v video.mp4 -vf "ass=video.ass" video_with_data.mp4
from the command line. You need to have the libass library installed.
==== Media on an external hard disk
Most underwater photographers store media on an external drive. If such a drive can be mapped by the operating system
(almost always the case) the media can be directly accessed by _Subsurface_. This eases the interaction
between _Subsurface_ and an external repository of media. When associating a dive profile with media from an
external drive, the normal procedure of selection and synchronization (see text above) is used.
After the external drive has been disconnected, _Subsurface_ cannot access these media any more.
If the display of media is activated (using the toolbox icon to the left of the _Dive Profile_), the
program shows only the thumbnails and the images cannot be viewed at full-screen size.
If the external drive with the media is re-connected, the media can be seen in the normal way.
==== Finding out which dives have associated media.
Inspecting each individual dive in order to determine whether there are associated media can be time consuming. There is a
rapid way of seeing which dives have associated media and which not: activate the _Media_ checkbox in the dropdown
list obtained by right-clicking on the header bar of the *Divelist*. In the *Divelist*, all dives with associated media
have an icon indicating whether the media were taken during the dive, just before/after the dive or both during and before/after the dive.
More information is provided in the section dealing with <<S_Divelist_columns, photo icons on the *Divelist*>>.
[[S_FindMovedImages]]
==== Moving media among directories, hard disks or computers
After a photograph or video has been loaded into _Subsurface_ and associated with a specific dive,
_Subsurface_ saves the path to the directory where the media lie as well as the file name of the each photo/video,
in order to find it when the dive is opened again.
If the media or the whole media collection is moved to another drive or to a different
machine, the path to the media changes. Now, _Subsurface_ looks for the photos/videos at their original location before they were moved,
cannot find them and cannot display them. Because, after moving media, large numbers of files
may need to be deleted and re-imported from the new disk, _Subsurface_ can locate the media based on their filename and path.
This is done by selecting from the Main Menu: _File -> Find moved images_. This brings up a window within
which the searching of the images can be controlled. The search is started by clicking on _Select folder and scan_.
Since recorded during different dive trips might have the same filename, the names of the parent folders are likewise compared.
Therefore, the root folder of the NEW picture collection should be chosen. For finer control, it is possible to search
only for media of the currently selected dive(s) by selecting the appropriate option.
After the searching has completed, the original filenames and the new locations of the photographs will be shown.
The matching parts of the paths are emphasized. Media that are found at their known positions are
not listed. The proposed changes can be applied by clicking _Apply_ or rejected by clicking _Cancel_.
image::images/FindMovedImages1.jpg["FIGURE:Find moved images",align="center"]
=== Logging special types of dives
This section gives examples of the versatility of _Subsurface_ as a dive logging tool.
[[S_MulticylinderDives]]
==== Multicylinder dives
_Subsurface_ easily handles dives involving more than one cylinder. Multi-cylinder diving usually happens
(a) if a diver doesnt have enough gas for the complete dive in a single cylinder; (b) if a diver
needs more than one gas mixture because of the depth or the decompression needs of the dive. For this reason
multi-cylinder dives are often used by technical divers who dive deep or long. As far
as _Subsurface_ is concerned, there are only two types of information that need to be provided:
- *Describe the cylinders used during the dive* This is performed in the *Equipment tab* of
the *Info* panel, as xref:cylinder_definitions[described above]. Enter the cylinders one by one,
specifying its size and pressure, as well as the gas composition within it.
- *Record the times at which the switch from one cylinder to another was done:* This is information
tracked by some dive computers (provided the diver indicated these changes to the dive computer
by pressing specific buttons). If the dive computer does not provide the information, the diver has to
record these changes using a different method, e.g. writing it on a slate or by creating a bookmark on the dive
computer.
- *Record the cylinder changes on the dive profile*: If the latter option
was followed, the diver needs to indicate the gas change event by right-clicking at the appropriate point
in time on the *Dive Profile* panel and indicating the cylinder to which the change was made. After
right-clicking, follow the context menu to "Add gas change" and select the appropriate cylinder from
those defined during the first step, above (see image below). If the
*gas bar* button in the toolbar has been activated, the cylinder switches are also indicated in the
gas bar (image below).
When this is complete, _Subsurface_ indicates the appropriate use of cylinders in the dive profile.
Below is a two-cylinder dive, starting off with EAN28, then changing cylinders to EAN50 after 26 minutes
for decompression.
image::images/multicylinder_dive.jpg["FIGURE: Multicylinder profile",align="center"]
Several dive computers perform automatic recording of cylinder pressure. In this case no manual intervention is needed.
Older dive computers (e.g. Uwatec Galileo, several Suunto models) handle more than one pressure transducer on cylinders,
switching from one sensor to another as the diver switches among cylinders and providing a sequential record of cylinders pressures during a dive. Some of the latest models (e.g. Shearwater Perdix AI, Scubapro G2) record two or more pressure transducers concurrently and continuously during the whole dive. In these cases _Suburface correctly interprets the data.
There is continuous effort within the _Subsurface_ development team to add new dive computer models to those that can be
downloaded from and to represent cylinder pressures correctly. Regardless of the type of sensor handling of dive computers, technical divers are likely to use both automated and manual methods of cylinder pressure logging when more than two gases are used. However,
automated recording of cylinder pressure simplifies logging of sidemount dives (where two cylinders are used). See the
link:https://subsurface-divelog.org/documentation/supported-dive-computers/[list of supported dive computers].
==== Sidemount dives
Sidemount diving is just another form of multi-cylinder diving, often with both or all cylinders having
the same gas mixture. Although its a popular configuration for cave divers, sidemount
diving can be done by recreational divers who have completed the appropriate training. See the comments in the
last paragraph, above, about automated recording of cylinder pressures. Manual
logging of cylinder pressures during sidemount involves three steps, exactly as with multi-cylinder dives above:
- *During the dive, record cylinder switch events*. Since sidemount diving normally involves two
cylinders with air or with the same gas mixture, _Subsurface_ distinguishes between these different
cylinders. In contrast, many dive computers that allow gas switching only distinguish between different
_gases_ used, not among different _cylinders_ used. This means when sidemount dives are downloaded
from these dive computers, the switching event between cylinders with the same gas is not downloaded. This may mean
that a diver may have to keep a written log of cylinder switch times using a slate, or (if the dive computer
has the capability) marking each cylinder switch with a bookmark that can be retrieved later. Returning
from a dive with the times of cylinder changes is the only tedious part of logging sidemount dives.
- *Within _Subsurface_ describe the cylinders used during the dive*. The diver needs to provide the
specifications of the different cylinders, using the *Equipment* tab of the *Info Panel* (see
image below where two 12 liter cylinders were used).
- *Indicate cylinder change events on the _Subsurface_ dive profile*. Once the dive log has been imported
from a dive computer into _Subsurface_, the cylinder switch events need to be shown on the dive profile.
Cylinder changes are recorded by right-clicking at the appropriate point on the dive profile, then
selecting _Add gas change_. A list of the appropriate cylinders is shown with the
currently used cylinder greyed out. In the image below Tank 1 is greyed out, leaving only Tank 2
to be selected. Select the appropriate cylinder. The cylinder change is then shown on the dive
profile with a cylinder symbol. If the *gas bar* is activated using the toolbar to the left of the
profile, then the cylinder change is also shown on the gas bar (see image below). After all
the cylinder change events have been recorded on the dive profile, the correct cylinder pressures
for both cylinders are shown on the dive profile, as in the image below.
image::images/sidemount1.jpg["FIGURE: Sidemount profile",align="center"]
==== Fixing sensor being attached to wrong cylinder
When importing a dive _Subsurface_ generally has to make some assumptions when importing dives. One
of these assumptions is which cylinder a pressure sensor is attached to. The following dive is a sidemount
dive with two deco cylinders. Each of the main cylinders has a pressure sensor attached to them. In this
case _Subsurface_ only knows about 3 gasses and 2 sensors so it makes the assumption that the sensors
are attached to the first two cylinders, one bottom gas and one with deco gas. For the cylinders with
attached sensors the cylinder index will be shown in the sensors column.
image::images/sensors-import.png["FIGURE: Imported cylinders and sensors",align="center"]
To fix this, you can add a new cylinder with bottom gas and pick the index for the deco cylinder in
the sensors drop down.
image::images/sensors-newcylinder.png["FIGURE: New cylinder added for sensor move",align="center"]
After this change the second sensor will be attached to the fourth cylinder and the two deco cylinders
won't have any cylinders attached.
image::images/sensors-moved.png["FIGURE: Sensor moved to new cylinder",align="center"]
The profile graph will also be updated to reflect this change.
[[S_sSCR_dives]]
==== Passive semi-closed circuit rebreather (pSCR) dives
[icon="images/halcyon_RB80.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Passive semi-closed rebreathers (pSCR) are a technical advance in diving equipment that
recirculates the breathing gas a diver uses, while removing carbon dioxide from
the exhaled gas. While a small amount (typically a tenth) of the exhaled breathing gas is released into the water,
a small amount of fresh gas is released from the driving gas cylinder.
A diver using a single cylinder of breathing gas can therefore dive for much longer periods than
using a recreational open-circuit configuration. With pSCR equipment, a very small amount of breathing
gas is released every time the diver inhales. With active SCR (aSCR) equipment, in contrast, a small amount of
breathing gas is released continuously from the driving cylinder.
To log pSCR dives, no special procedures are required. Use the normal steps outlined above:
- Select pSCR in the _Dive Mode_ dropdown list on the *Info* panel.
- pSCR diving often involves gas changes, requiring an additional cylinder.
Define all the appropriate cylinders as described above
and indicate the cylinder/gas changes as described above in the section on xref:S_MulticylinderDives[multicylinder dives].
In pSCR diving, the inspired gas often has a pO~2~ below that of the fresh gas from cylinder. This is
because fresh gas is only supplied at a slow rate and the diver continuously uses oxygen from the loop for metabolism,
resulting in the so-called "pO~2~ drop over the mouthpiece". For pSCR dive profiles the dive ceiling is adjusted for this oxygen
drop, and often requires longer decompression periods. Below is a dive profile
of a pSCR dive using EAN36 as bottom gas and oxygen for decompression. Note that this dive lasted
over two hours.
image::images/pSCR_profile.jpg["FIGURE: pSCR profile",align="center"]
Visualizing the pO~2~ drop_: The difference between the pO~2~ of the fresh cylinder gas and the pO~2~
in the loop can be visualized in _Subsurface_ by opening the _Tech setup_
panel in the _File -> Preferences_ menu item and then providing suitable information in the section
labelled _pSCR options_. The _pSCR metabolic rate_ is your rate of oxygen metabolism in liters/min (commonly
between 0.5 and 2.5). The _Dilution ratio_ is the ratio indicating how much gas in the loop is replaced with
fresh gas, relative to the gas being breathed (common values are between 1:3 and 1:10). These values are also
used when planning pSCR dives. If the oxygen content of the loop is not recorded by an oxygen sensor, _Subsurface_
estimates the pO~2~ in the loop using the information supplied above. This pO~2~ is shown as the green line
representing the oxygen partial pressure in the dive profile. If the oxygen pressure in the loop is measured using
an oxygen sensor connected to a dive computer, this information is probably recorded by the dive computer and these
measured pO~2~ values are shown on the dive profile. In addition, the _Tech setup Preferences_ panel allows one to activate
a checkbox labelled _Show equivalent OC pO~2~ with pSCR pO~2~_. This activates display of the pO~2~ in the
fresh gas from the cylinder (an orange line). The vertical distance between the orange graph and the green graph
indicates the "pO~2~ drop over the mouthpiece". Much of pSCR diving involves managing this pO~2~ difference.
[icon="images/DiveModeChange.jpg"]
[NOTE]
_pSCR and bailout_: Gases used in pSCR often yield very low pO~2~ values in shallow water. For this reason one
often completes the shallow sections of a dive using open circuit (OC) rather than the rebreather. In this case
parts of the dive are
performed OC, while the rest of the dive is performed on the pSCR loop. To indicate such changes in divemode,
right-click on the dive profile at the appropriate time. From the context menu, select _Change divemode_ and choose
the appropriate option (see image on left). Some dive computers record such changes in divemode as part of the dive log.
The appropriate icon is shown on the depth profile (see image below).
Below is a pSCR dive with the shallow
sections using OC. An OC divemode was entered right at the start, followed by
a change to pSCR at 18m. During the ascent, there was a bailout to OC at 14m. Note,
for the OC sections, the pO~2~ is identical to the OC-pO~2~ whereas for the pSCR section, the pO~2~ (green line)
differs from the OC-pO~2~ (orange line).
image::images/pSCR_profile_bailout.jpg["FIGURE: pSCR profile with bailout",align="center"]
[[S_CCR_dives]]
==== Closed circuit rebreather (CCR) dives
[icon="images/APD.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Closed system rebreathers also recirculate
gas that has been breathed. However, they use advanced technology to maintain a
breathable oxygen concentration:
a) remove carbon dioxide from the exhaled gas.
b) regulate the oxygen concentration to remain within safe diving limits.
The CCR interface of _Subsurface_ is currently experimental
and under active development. Subsurface currently supports Poseidon MkVI
and APD Discovery/Evolution dive computers, as well as Shearwater dive computers connected
to CCR systems. In contrast to a conventional recreational
dive computer, a CCR system computer usually does not allow the download of a log
containing multiple dives. Rather, each dive is stored independently. This
means that _Subsurface_ cannot download a dive log directly from a CCR
dive computer, but that it imports individual CCR dive profiles in the same way it
imports dive log data from other digital databases: one dive at a time. However, the Shearwater
based CCR systems are different in this respect and allow multi-dive downloads.
===== Import a CCR dive
For Shearwater CCR controllers, or independent Shearwater CCR logs, just download the dive log as would
be the case for non-CCR dives. _Subsurface_ interprets the CCR dive log correctly.
Except for Shearwater CCR dive computers, CCR dive data are currently obtained from the proprietary software
provided when purchasing CCR dive equipment. See the section dealing with xref:S_ImportingAlienDiveLogs[Importing dive information from other
digital sources] and <<_appendix_b_dive_computer_specific_information_for_importing_dive_information,Appendix B>>
for more complete information. Use that software to download the dive data into
a known directory. From the main menu of _Subsurface_, select _Import -> Import
log files_ to bring up the xref:Unified_import[universal import dialog]. As
explained in that section, the bottom right
hand of the import dialog contains a dropdown list (labelled _Filter:_) of appropriate devices
that currently include (Poseidon) MkVI or APD log viewer files. Import for other
CCR equipment is under active development. Having selected the appropriate CCR format and
the directory where the original dive logs have been stored from the CCR dive
computer, select a particular dive log file (in the case of the MkVI
it is a file with a .txt extension). After selecting the appropriate dive log,
click the _Open_ button at the bottom right hand of the universal import dialog.
The selected dive is imported to the _Subsurface_ dive list.
===== Displayed information for a CCR dive
_Partial pressures of gases_: The graph of oxygen partial pressure shows the
information from the oxygen sensors of the CCR equipment. In contrast to recreational
equipment (where pO~2~ values are calculated based on gas composition and dive depth),
CCR equipment provide actual measurements of pO~2~, derived from oxygen sensors.
In this case the graph for oxygen partial pressure
should be fairly flat, reflecting the setpoint settings during the dive. The mean
pO~2~ is NOT the mean oxygen partial pressure as given by the CCR equipment, but
a value calculated by _Subsurface_ as follows:
- For TWO O~2~ sensors the mean value of the two sensors are given.
- For THREE-sensor systems (e.g. APD), the mean value is also used. However
differences of more than 0,1 bar in the simultaneous readings of different sensors are
treated as false. If one of the three sensors provides false data, it is ignored.
- If no sensor data are available, the pO~2~ value is assumed to be equal to the setpoint.
The mean pO~2~ of the sensors is indicated with a green line,
The oxygen setpoint values as well as the readings from the individual
oxygen sensors can be shown. The display of additional CCR information is turned on by
checking the appropriate boxes in the _Tech setup Preferences_ panel (accessible by
selecting xref:S_CCR_options[_File->Preferences->Tech setup_]). This part of
the _Preferences_ panel is shown in the image below, representing two checkboxes that modify
the display of pO~2~ when the appropriate toolbar button on the Dive Profile
has been checked.
image::images/CCR_preferences_f20.jpg["FIGURE: CCR preferences panel",align="center"]
Checking any of these boxes allows the display of additional oxygen-related
information whenever the pO~2~ toolbar button on the _Profile_ panel is activated.
The first checkbox allows the display of setpoint information. This is an orange line
superimposed on the green oxygen partial pressure graph and allows a comparison of the
mean measured oxygen partial pressure and the setpoint values, as shown below.
image::images/CCR_setpoint_f20.jpg["FIGURE: CCR setpoint and pO~2~ graph",align="center"]
The second checkbox allows the display of the data from each individual oxygen sensor
of the CCR equipment. The data for each sensor is color-coded as follows:
- Sensor 1: grey
- Sensor 2: blue
- Sensor 3: brown
The mean oxygen pO~2~ is indicated by the green line. This allows the direct comparison
of data from each of the oxygen sensors, useful for detecting abnormally low or erratic
readings from a particular sensor.
image::images/CCR_sensor_data_f20.jpg["FIGURE: CCR sensor data graph",align="center"]
The setpoint data can be overlaid on the oxygen sensor data by activating both of the above
check boxes. Partial pressures for nitrogen (and helium, if applicable) are shown in the
usual way as for open circuit dives.
_Events_: Several events are logged, e.g. switching the mouthpiece to open circuit.
These events are indicated by yellow triangles and, if you hover over a triangle,
a description of that event is given as the bottom line in the xref:S_InfoBox[Information Box].
_Bailout_: Bailout events during a CCR dive can be recorded in a _Subsurface_ divelog. Right-click
on the dive profile to generate a dive profile context menu. Select _Change divemode_ and choose
the appropriate bailout option (probably OC). An appropriate icon is shown on the depth profile (see
image below). In most CCR equipment it is also
possible to bailout to pSCR, especially in cases where the electronics died and the diluent supply
is limited. This can also be reflected in the dive log and Subsurface will calculate and graph the
appropriate pO~2~ values. The case during CCR training is more complex if the instructor prefers
a low setpoint such as 0.7 to be maintained during bailout. In this case the CCR equipment
maintains the low setpoint and overrides the OC or pSCR conditions. In such cases it is probably
more accurate not to record a bailout event in the dive log since _Subsurface_ will calculate pO~2~
values based on the erroneous assumption that there is no setpoint.
Below is a dive profile for a CCR dive with bailout at 57 minutes. In this profile
the green pO~2~ graph diverges from the setpoint value and reflects the pO~2~ in the OC diluent gas
(in this case air).
The pO~2~ in the loop (shown as a meandering graph for each oxygen sensor) is irrelevant because
the actual inspired gas comes directly from the diluent cylinder. In cases where bailout occurs using
a stage cylinder, indicate the bailout as well as the gas change event and _Subsurface_ will calculate
all the appropriate pO~2~ values. Some dive computers record bailout events as well as gas change
events: in this case the events are shown automatically in the dive log.
image::images/CCR_bailout.jpg["FIGURE: CCR bailout profile",align="center"]
_Deco ceiling_: The deco ceiling calculated by Subsurface is not very accurate because the precise pressure of nitrogen
in the loop can usually not be determined from the dive log imported from the CCR equipment. Many CCR dive
computers, however, report an internally-calculated deco ceiling that is reported in the dive log,
reflecting a more accurate assessment. The display of this ceiling is activated
by clicking the appropriate button to the left of the dive profile:
image::images/icons/cceiling.jpg["DC ceiling icon"]
The default color of the computer-generated deco ceiling is white. This can be set to red
by checking the appropriate check box after selecting _File->Preferences->Tech setup_.
The profile above indicates the dive computer-generated deco ceiling in red.
_Cylinder pressures_: Some CCR dive computers like Poseidon record the
pressures of the oxygen and diluent cylinders. The pressures of these two cylinders
are shown as green lines overlapping the depth profile. In addition, start and
end pressures for both oxygen and diluent cylinders are shown in the _Equipment Tab_.
Below is a dive profile for a CCR dive, including an overlay
of setpoint and oxygen sensor data, as well as the cylinder pressure data. In this
case there is agreement from the readings of the two oxygen sensors.
image::images/CCR_dive_profile_f22.jpg["FIGURE: CCR dive profile",align="center"]
_Equipment-specific information_: Equipment-specific information gathered by
_Subsurface_ is shown in the xref:S_ExtraDataTab[Extra data tab]. This may include setup information
or metadata about the dive.
More equipment-specific procedures and information for downloading CCR dive logs for
Poseidon and APD equipment can be found in xref:_appendix_b_dive_computer_specific_information_for_importing_dive_information[Appendix B].
== Obtaining more information about dives entered into the logbook
=== Using the Dive Map to obtain more dive information
The Dive Map has buttons useful for obtaining spatial information about a dive. These are:
[icon="images/icons/MapViewMode.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Select this button to show the Dive Map as a satellite image or as a Google Maps
representation.
[icon="images/icons/MapViewPlus.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Zoom in. Select a smaller area of the map.
[icon="images/icons/MapViewMinus.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Zoom out. Select a larger area of the map.
image::images/MapMenu.jpg["FIGURE: Map menu",align="left"]
The "Hamburger" button on the top right-hand of the Dive Map
activates the Map menu. The items are:
* Open location in _Google Maps_. Open the location of the active dive in a separate Google Maps window with the
dive site indicated by a Google Maps teardrop marker.
* Copy location to clipboard (decimal). Copy the coordinates of the active dive to the clipboard in decimal degrees
e.g. -25.933905 30.710572
* Copy location to clipboard (sexagesimal). Copy the coordinates of the active dive to the clipboard in sexagecimal, e.g. 25°56'02.058"S
30°42'38.059"E
* Select visible dive locations. In the Dive List panel, highlight all the dive sites visible in the Dive Map. This allows easy
selection of the dives within a particular geographical area to inspect them or to calculate statistics for them.
=== The *Information* tab (for individual dives)
The Information tab gives some summary information about a particular dive that
has been selected in the *Dive List*. Useful information here includes the
surface interval before the dive, the maximum and mean depths of the dive, the
gas volume consumed, the surface air consumption (SAC) and the number of oxygen
toxicity units (OTU) incurred.
[icon="images/icons/info.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Gas consumption and SAC calculations:
_Subsurface_ calculates SAC and Gas consumption taking in account gas
incompressibility, particularly at tank pressures above 200 bar, making them more accurate.
Refer to xref:SAC_CALCULATION[Appendix F] for more information.
=== The *Summary* tab (for groups of dives)
The Summary tab gives summary statistics for more than one dive, assuming that
more than one dive has been selected in the *Dive List* using the standard
Ctrl-click or Shift-click of the mouse. If only one
dive has been selected, figures for only that dive are given. This tab
shows the number of dives selected, the total amount of dive time in these
dives,
as well as the minimum, maximum and mean for the dive duration,
water temperature and surface air consumption (SAC). It also shows the depth of the
shallowest and deepest dives of those selected.
[[S_ExtraDataTab]]
=== The *Extra Data* tab (usually for individual dives)
When using a dive computer, it often reports several data items that cannot easily be
presented in a standardized way because the nature of the information differs from one
dive computer to another. These data often comprise setup information, metadata about
a dive, battery levels, no fly times, or gradient factors used during the dive. When
possible, this information is presented in the *Extra Data* tab. Below is an
image showing extra data for a dive using a Poseidon rebreather.
image::images/ExtraDataTab_f20.jpg["FIGURE: Extra Data tab",align="center"]
[[S_DiveProfile]]
=== The *Dive Profile*
image::images/Profile2.jpg["Typical dive profile",align="center"]
Of all the panels in _Subsurface_, the Dive Profile contains the most detailed
information about each dive. The Dive Profile has a *button bar* on the left hand side,
allowing control of several display options. The functions of these
buttons are described below. The main item in the Dive
Profile is the graph of
dive depth as a function of time. In addition to
depth, it also shows the ascent and descent rates compared to the recommended
speed of going up or down in the water column. This information is given using
different colors:
|====================
|*Color*|*Descent speed (m/min)*|*Ascent speed (m/min)*
|Red|> 30|> 18
|Orange|18 - 30|9 - 18
|Yellow|9 - 18|4 - 9
|Light green|1.5 - 9|1.5 - 4
|Dark green|< 1.5|< 1.5
|=====================
The profile also includes depth readings for the peaks and troughs in the graph.
So users should see the depth of the deepest point and other peaks. Mean depth
is plotted as a grey line, indicating mean dive depth up to a particular moment during the dive.
[icon="images/icons/scale.jpg"]
[NOTE]
In some cases the dive profile does not fill the whole area of the *Dive Profile*
panel. Clicking the *Scale* button in the toolbar on the left of the dive profile
increases the size of the dive profile to fill the area of the panel.
*Water temperature* is shown as a blue line with temperature values
placed adjacent to significant changes.
[[S_InfoBox]]
==== The *Information Box*
The Information box displays a large range of information about the dive
profile. Normally the Information Box is located to the top left of the *Dive
Profile* panel. The Information Box can be moved around in the *Dive Profile*
panel by click-dragging it with the mouse so that it is not obstructing
important detail. The position of the Information Box is saved and used again
during subsequent dive analyses.
image::images/InfoBox2.jpg["Figure: Information Box",align="center"]
When the mouse points inside the *Dive Profile* panel, the information box expands and
shows many data items. In this situation, the data reflect the time point along
the dive profile shown by the mouse cursor (see right-hand part of figure (*B*) above
where the Information Box reflects the situation at the position of the cursor
[arrow] in that image). Moving the cursor horizontally lets the Information Box show information for any point
along the dive profile. It gives extensive statistics about depth, gas
and ceiling characteristics of the particular dive. These include: Time period
into the dive (indicated by a @), depth, cylinder pressure (P), temperature,
ascent/descent rate, surface air consumption (SAC), oxygen partial pressure,
maximum operating depth, equivalent air depth (EAD), equivalent narcotic depth
(END), equivalent air density depth (EADD, also as gas density in g/l), decompression requirements at that
instant in time (Deco), the surface GF (a measure of inert gas loading of the diver's body defined as the excess
over the surface pressure normalized such that the maximally allowed over pressure at the surface, the
M-value, corresponds to 100%), the time to surface (TTS), the calculated ceiling, as well
as of the statistics in the Information Box, shown as four
buttons on the left of the profile panel. These are:
[icon="images/icons/InfoBox.png"]
[NOTE]
Show or hide the *Information Box*. This allows the Information Box to be hidden in order to see the entire dive profile without any obstructions.
[icon="images/icons/MOD.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Show the *Maximum Operating Depth (MOD)* of the dive, given the
gas mixture used. MOD is dependent on the oxygen concentration in the breathing gas.
For air (21% oxygen) it is around 57 m if a maximum pO~2~ of 1.4 is specified in the *Preferences* section
(select _File -> Preferences -> Tech setup_) and edit the text box _pO~2~ in calculating MOD_.
When diving below the MOD there is a markedly increased risk of exposure to the dangers of oxygen toxicity.
[icon="images/icons/NDL.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Show either the *No-deco Limit (NDL)* or the
*Total Time to Surface (TTS)*. NDL is the time duration that a diver can continue with a
dive, given the present depth, that does not require decompression (that is, before an
ascent ceiling appears). Once a diver has exceeded the NDL and decompression is required (that
is, there is an ascent ceiling above the diver) then TTS gives the number of minutes
required before the diver can surface. TTS includes ascent time as well as decompression
time. Even if the profile contains several gas
switches, TTS at a specific moment during the dive is calculated using the current gas.
TTS longer than 2 hours is not accurately calculated and Subsurface only indicates _TTS > 2h_.
[icon="images/icons/GFLow.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Show *Deco information*. When enabled, the information box shows the current gradient factor (GF),
the surface GF and the momentary
ceilings for the individual tissue compartments. The gradient factor is in indication of how
much of the allowed pressure gradient between tissues (normalized with a 100/100 Bühlmann model)
the diver is currently using. The surface GF is an indication of to what degree
the partial pressure of nitrogen in the blood exceeds the partial pressure required for safely
reaching the surface. Surface GF > 100% means that it is unsafe to surface.
[icon="images/icons/SAC.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Show the *Surface Air Consumption (SAC)*, an indication of the surface-normalized respiration
rate of a diver. The value of SAC is less than the real
respiration rate because a diver at 10m uses breathing gas at a rate roughly double that of
the equivalent rate at the surface. SAC gives an indication of breathing gas consumption rate
independent of the depth of the dive, so the respiratory rates of different dives
can be compared. The units for SAC is liters/min or cubic ft/min.
[icon="images/icons/EAD.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Show the *Equivalent Air Depth (EAD)* for
nitrox dives as well as the *Equivalent
Narcotic Depth (END)* for trimix dives. These are
important to divers breathing gases other than air. Their
values are dependent on the composition of the breathing gas. The EAD
is the depth of a hypothetical air dive that has the same partial
pressure of nitrogen as the current depth of the nitrox dive at
hand. A nitrox dive leads to the same decompression obligation as an
air dive to the depth equalling the EAD. The END is the depth of a
hypothetical air dive that has the same sum of partial pressures of
the narcotic gases nitrogen and oxygen as the current trimix dive. A
trimix diver can expect the same narcotic effect as a diver breathing
air diving at a depth equalling the END.
If at some point a isobaric counter diffusion situation is encountered
in the leading tissue (defined to be a moment in time where helium is
off-gassing while nitrogen is on-gassing and the net effect is
on-gassing) this is indicated in the infobox as well. Note that this
condition not only depends on the gas that is currently breathed but
on the tissue loadings as well.
Figure (*B*) above shows an information box with a nearly complete set of data.
[[S_gas_pressure_graph]]
===== The Gas Pressure Bar Graph
On the left of the *Information Box* is a vertical bar graph showing the
pressures of the nitrogen (and other inert gases, e.g. helium, if applicable) that the diver
was inhaling _at a particular instant during the dive_, shown by the position
of the cursor on the *Dive Profile*. The drawing on the left below indicates the
meaning of the different parts of the Gas Pressure Bar Graph.
image::images/GasPressureBarGraph.jpg["FIGURE:Gas Pressure bar Graph",align="center"]
- The light green area indicates the gas pressure, with the top margin of the light green
area showing the total gas pressure of ALL gases inhaled by the diver and measured from the bottom
of the graph to the top of the light green area. This pressure has a _relative_ value in the graph
and does not indicate absolute pressure.
- The horizontal black line underneath the light green margin indicates the equilibrium pressure
of the INERT gases inhaled by the diver, usually nitrogen. In
the case of trimix, it is the pressures of nitrogen and helium combined. In this example,
the user is diving with EAN32, so the equilibrium inert gas pressure is 68% of the distance from the
bottom of the graph to the total gas pressure value.
- The dark green area at the bottom of the graph represents the pressures of inert gas in each
of the 16 tissue compartments, following the Bühlmann algorithm, with fast tissues on the
left hand side.
- The top black horizontal line indicates the inert gas pressure limit determined by the gradient
factor that applies to the depth of
the diver at the particular point on the *Dive Profile*. The gradient factor shown is an
interpolation between the GFLow and GFHigh values specified in the _Ceiling Display_ part of the _Tech setup Preferences
Panel_ of _Subsurface_.
- The bottom margin of the red area in the graph indicates the Bühlman-derived M-value. That is the
pressure value of inert gases at which bubble formation is expected to be severe, resulting
in a significant risk of decompression sickness.
These five values are shown on the left in the image above. The way the Gas Pressure Bar Graph changes
during a dive can be seen on the right hand side of the above figure for a diver using EAN32.
- Graph *A* indicates the start of a dive with the diver at the surface. The pressures in all
the tissue compartments are still at the surface equilibrium pressure because no diving has taken place.
- Graph *B* indicates the situation after a descent to 30 meters. Few of the tissue compartments have had
time to respond to the descent, so their gas pressures are far below the equilibrium gas pressure.
- Graph *C* represents the pressures after 30 minutes at 30 m. The fast compartments have attained
equilibrium (i.e. they have reached the height of the black line indicating the equilibrium pressure). The
slower compartments (towards the right) have not reached equilibrium and are in the process of slowly
increasing in pressure.
- Graph *D* shows the pressures after ascent to a depth of 4.5 meters. Since during ascent the total
inhaled gas pressure has decreased strongly from 4 bar to 1.45 bar, the pressures in the different tissue
compartments now exceed that of the total gas pressure and approach the gradient factor value (i.e.
the top black horizontal line). Further ascent will result in exceeding the gradient
factor value (GFHigh), endangering the diver.
- Graph *E* indicates the situation after remaining at 4.5 meters for 10 minutes. The fast compartments
have decreased in pressure. As expected, the pressures in the slow compartments have not changed much.
The pressures in the fast compartments do not approach the GFHigh value any more and the diver is safer
than in the situation indicated in graph *D*.
==== Computer-reported events during dive
Many dive computers record events during a dive. For instance,
most dive computers report alarms relating to high partial pressures of oxygen,
to rapid ascents or the exceeding of no-deco limits (NDL).
On the other hand, other events are classified as warnings and, for instance, occur when
the remaining gas in a cylinder falls below a predetermined limit, a deep stop needs to be performed or
the need to change gas during multi-cylinder dives. Some dive computers also report notifications,
e.g. when a safety stop is initiated or terminated or when a predetermined amount of OTUs have been incurred.
The alarms, warnings and notifications differs from one dive computer to another: some dive computers do not
report any of the above events, while others provide an extensive log of events. The reporting of events
is therefore a function of the dive computer used. In addition, _Subsurface_ does not always
have the ability to detect all the events reported by a specific dive computer.
Events are indicated by symbols on the dive profile. Notifications are shown as a white, round symbol with a letter _i_;
warnings are indicated by a yellow triangle and alarms by a red triangle. By moving the cursor over a symbol,
the explanation is given in the bottom-most line of the _Information Box_ (see image below, where the cursor is positioned
over the alarm that was reported).
image::images/profile_symbols.jpg["FIGURE: Profile notification symbols",align="center"]
Some dive computers report _bookmarks_ that the diver has set during the dive. These are indicated as
a small red flag on the profile and are discussed more fully in the section on
<<S_Bookmarks,_inserting bookmarks_>>.
==== The Profile Toolbar
The dive profile can include graphs of the *partial pressures*
of O~2~, N~2~, and He during the dive (see figure above) as well as a calculated and dive computer
reported deco ceilings (only visible for deep, long, or repetitive dives).
Partial pressures of oxygen are indicated in green, nitrogen in black,
and helium in dark red. These
partial pressure graphs are shown below the profile data.
[icon="images/icons/O2.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Show the partial pressure of *oxygen* during the
dive. This is shown below the dive depth and water temperature graphs.
[icon="images/icons/N2.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Show the partial pressure of *nitrogen* during the dive.
[icon="images/icons/He.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Display of the partial pressure of *helium* during the dive.
This is only important to divers using Trimix, Helitrox or similar breathing gases.
The *air consumption* graph displays the tank pressure and its change during the
dive. The air consumption takes depth into account so that even when manually
entering the start and end pressures the graph, is not a straight line.
Like the depth graph, the slope of the tank pressure provides information
about the
momentary SAC rate (Surface Air Consumption) when using an air integrated dive computer.
Here the color
coding is not relative to some absolute values but relative to the mean
normalized air consumption during the dive. So areas in red or orange
indicate
times of increased normalized air consumption while dark green reflects times
when the diver was using less gas than average.
When in planner mode, the SAC is set to be constant during the bottom part
of the dive as well during decompression. Therefore, when planning a dive,
the color is a representation of the breathing gas density.
[icon="images/icons/Heartbutton.png"]
[NOTE]
Clicking on the heart rate button allows display of heart rate information
during the dive if the dive computer was attached to a heart rate sensor.
It is possible to *zoom* into the profile graph. This is done either by using
the scroll wheel / scroll gesture of the mouse or trackpad. By default
_Subsurface_ always shows a profile area large enough for at least 30 minutes
and 30m (100ft) this way short or shallow dives are easily recognizable;
something free divers wont care about.
image::images/MeasuringBar.png["FIGURE: Measuring Bar",align="center"]
[icon="images/icons/ruler.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Measurements of *depth or time differences* can be achieved by using the
*ruler button* on the left of the dive profile panel.
The measurement is done by dragging the red dots to the two points
on the dive profile that you wish to measure. Information is then given
in the horizontal white area underneath the
two red dots.
[icon="images/icons/ShowPhotos.png"]
[NOTE]
Photographs and videos that have been added to a dive can be shown on the profile
by selecting
the *Show-media* button. The position of a photo or video on the profile
shows the exact time when it was taken.
The runtime of videos is represented by a bar if _Subsurface_ was able to
extract this information from the video file.
If this button is not active, the media are hidden.
The profile can also include the dive computer reported *ceiling* (more
precisely, the deepest deco stop that the dive computer calculated for each
particular moment in time) as a red overlay on the dive profile. Ascent ceilings
occur when a direct ascent to the surface increases
the risk of a diver suffering from decompression sickness (DCS) and it is necessary
to either ascend
slower or to perform decompression stop(s) before ascending to the surface. Not
all dive computers record this information and make it available for download;
for example none of the Suunto dive computers make these data
available to divelog software. _Subsurface_ also calculates ceilings independently,
shown as a green overlay on the dive profile.
Because of the differences in algorithms used
and amount of data available (and other factors taken into consideration at the time
of the calculation) its unlikely that ceilings from dive computers and from _Subsurface_
are the same, even if the same algorithm and _gradient factors_ (see below) are used.
Its also quite common that _Subsurface_ calculates a ceiling for
non-decompression dives when the dive computer stayed in no-deco mode during
the whole dive (represented by the [green]#dark green# section in the profile
at the beginning of this section). This is because _Subsurfaces_
calculations describe the deco obligation at each moment during a dive,
while dive computers usually take the upcoming ascent into account. During the
ascent some excess nitrogen (and possibly helium) are already breathed off so
even though the diver technically encountered a ceiling at depth, the dive still does
not require a specific deco stop. This feature lets dive computers offer
longer non-stop bottom times.
Strictly speaking, the green calculated ceiling is a direct representation of
the inert gas loadings of the simulated tissues only and is independent of
any assumed ascent velocities. It indicates the deco model's minimal allowed
depth at this instant of time given the inert gas loadings and is not a statement
about a possible ascent schedule in the remaining dive. To obtain the latter,
use the "Edit dive in planner" option from the Log menu.
[icon="images/icons/cceiling.jpg"]
[NOTE]
If the dive computer itself calculates a ceiling and makes it available to
_Subsurface_ during upload of dives, this can be
shown as a red area by checking *Dive computer reported ceiling* button on the Profile Panel.
[icon="images/icons/ceiling1.jpg"]
[NOTE]
If the *Calculated ceiling* button on the Profile Panel is clicked, then a ceiling,
calculated by _Subsurface_, is shown in green if it exists for
a particular dive (*A* in figure below). This setting can be modified in two ways:
[icon="images/icons/ceiling2.jpg"]
[NOTE]
If, in addition, the *show all tissues* button on the Profile Panel is clicked, the ceiling is shown for the tissue
compartments following the Bühlmann model (*B* in figure below).
[icon="images/icons/ceiling3.jpg"]
[NOTE]
===============================================================================================================
If, in addition, the *3m increments* button on the Profile Panel is clicked, then the ceiling is indicated in 3 m increments
(*C* in figure below).
image::images/Ceilings2.jpg["Figure: Ceiling with 3m resolution",align="center"]
Gradient Factor settings strongly affect the calculated ceilings and their depths. For more information about Gradient factors, see the section on xref:GradientFactors_Ref[Gradient Factor Preference settings]. The currently used gradient factors (e.g. GF 35/75) are shown above the depth profile if the appropriate toolbar buttons are activated. N.B.: The indicated gradient factors are NOT the gradient factors in use by the dive computer, but those used by Subsurface to calculate deco obligations during the dive. For more information external to this manual see:
*** http://www.tek-dive.com/portal/upload/M-Values.pdf[Understanding M-values by Erik Baker, _Immersed_ Vol. 3, No. 3.]
*** link:http://www.rebreatherworld.com/general-and-new-to-rebreather-articles/5037-gradient-factors-for-dummies.html[Gradient factors for dummies, by Kevin Watts]
===============================================================================================================
[icon="images/icons/ShowCylindersButton.jpg"]
[NOTE]
By selecting this icon, the different cylinders used during a dive can be represented as a colored bar at the bottom
of the *Dive Profile*. In general oxygen is represented by a green bar, nitrogen a yellow bar and helium a
red bar. The image below shows a dive which first uses a trimix cylinder (red and green), followed by a switch to a nitrox cylinder
(yellow and green) after 23 minutes. Cylinders with air are shown as a light blue bar.
image::images/ShowCylinders_f20.jpg["Figure: Cylinder use graph",align="center"]
[icon="images/icons/heatmap.png"]
[NOTE]
====================================================================================
Display the tissue heat-map. The heat map summarizes, for the duration of the dive, the inert gas tissue pressures
for each of the 16 tissue compartments of the Bühlmann model. Blue colors mean low gas pressures in a tissue compartment
and thus on-gassing, green to red means excess gas in the tissue and thus off-gassing. Fast to slow tissues are indicated from
top to bottom. The figure below explains in greater detail how the heat map can be interpreted.
image::images/Heatmap.jpg["Figure: Inert gas tissue pressure heat-map",align="center"]
Image *A* on the left shows the xref:S_gas_pressure_graph[Gas Pressure Graph] in the
*Information box*, representing a snapshot of inert gas pressures at a particular point in time
during the dive. The inert gas pressures of 16 tissue compartments are shown as dark green vertical
bars with the quick tissue compartments on the left and the slow tissue compartments
on the right. Refer to the section on the xref:S_gas_pressure_graph[Gas Pressure Graph]
for more details on the different elements of this graph.
Image *B* shows a gradient of unique colors, spanning the whole range of inert gas pressures.
It is possible to map the height of each of the dark green vertical bars of *A* to a
color in *B*. For instance, the fastest (leftmost) dark green vertical bar in *A* has
a height corresponding to the medium green part of *B*. The height of this bar can therefore be summarized
using a medium green color. Similarly, the highest dark green bar in *A* is as high
as the yellow part of *B*. The 14 remaining tissue pressure bars in *A* can also be
translated to colors. The colors represent three ranges of tissue inert gas pressure:
- The bottom range in *B* (marked _On-gassing_) includes colors from light blue to black, representing tissue gas pressures
below the equilibrium pressure of inert gas (bottom horizontal line in *A*). The measurement
unit is the % of inert gas pressure, relative to the equilibrium inert gas pressure. In this range
on-gassing of inert gas takes place because the inert gas pressure in the tissue compartment is lower than
in the surrounding environment. Black areas in the heat map indicate that a tissue compartment has reached
the equilibrium inert gas pressure, i.e. the inert gas pressure in the tissue compartment equals that
of the water in which the diver is. The equilibrium pressure changes according to depth.
- The central range in *B* includes the colors from black to light green, when the inert gas pressure of a tissue
compartment is higher than the equilibrium pressure but less than the ambient pressure.
In this zone decompression is not very efficient
because the gradient of inert gas pressure from tissue to the environment is relatively small
and indicated by dark green areas of the heat map.
- The top range in *B* (marked _Off-gassing_) includes colors from light green to red and white, representing tissue gas
pressures above that of the total ambient pressure (top of light green area of *A*). The measurement
unit is the % of inert gas pressure above ambient pressure, relative to the Bühlmann M-value gradient (bottom of red area
in *A*). These tissue pressures are normally reached while ascending to a shallower depth.
Below a value of 100%, this range indicates efficient off-gassing of inert gas from the tissue compartment into the
environment. Usually, efficient off-gassing is indicated by light green, yellow or orange colors.
Above 100% (red to white in *B*) the M-value gradient is exceeded and the probability of decompression sickness
increases markedly.
Image *C* shows the color mapping of each of the vertical bars in *A*, the fast
tissues (on the left in *A*) depicted at the top
and the slow tissue compartments at the bottom of *C*. The highest vertical bar in *A*
(vertical bar 3rd from the left) is presented as the yellow rectangle 3rd from the top
in *C*. The 16 vertical bars in *A* are now presented as a vertical
column of 16 colored rectangles, representing a snapshot of tissue compartment gas pressures
at a particular instant during the dive.
Image *D* is a compilation of similar color mappings of 16 tissue compartments
during a 10-minute period of a dive, the colors representing the
inert gas loading of a tissue compartment at a point in time during the dive. Faster tissues
are shown at the top and slower tissues at the bottom, with time
forming the horizontal axis of the graph. The column of rectangles in *C* can be found
on the horizontal axis between 9 and 10 minutes.
The colors of the heat map are not affected by the gradient factor settings.
This is because the heat map indicates tissue pressures relative to the Bühlmann M-value gradient, and
not relative to any specific gradient factor. For more information external to this manual see:
http://www.tek-dive.com/portal/upload/M-Values.pdf[Understanding M-values by Erik Baker, _Immersed_ Vol. 3, No. 3.]
Since the colors of the heat map are not affected by the gradient factor(s), the heat map is also
applicable when using the VPM-B decompression model.
The image below compares the profiles and heat maps for two planned decompression dives to 60m:
the first using the Bühlmann decompression model, the second using the VPM-B decompression model.
Both profiles have the same total decompression time, but the VPM-B model requires deeper stops early in the ascent phase.
In both profiles, the inert gas pressures in the faster tissues rise much more rapidly than the slower tissues during
the descent and bottom phase, with the colors transitioning from light blue through blue and purple to black.
Similarly, the inert gas pressure in the fast tissues reduces more rapidly than the slow tissues at each decompression stop,
with colors transitioning from red, orange and yellow to green and black.
The comparison of the two profiles and heatmaps shows that by including deep stops, the oversaturation gradient in the
faster tissues early in ascent phase is reduced.
However, on-gassing of slower tissues continues during the deep stops, which leads to greater oversaturation gradient
in slower tissues at the end of the dive.
image::images/tissueHeatmap.jpg["Figure: Inert gas tissue pressure heat-map",align="center"]
===================================================================================
==== The Dive Profile context menu
The context menu for the Dive Profile is accessed by right-clicking while the
mouse cursor is over the Dive Profile panel. The menu allows creating
Bookmarks, Gas Change Event markers, or manual CCR set-point changes
other than the ones that might have been
imported from a Dive Computer. Markers are placed against the depth profile line,
with the time of the event determined by the mouse cursor when the right
mouse button was clicked to bring up the menu. Gas Change events
involve a selection of which gas is being switched TO. The list of choices is based on
the available gases defined in the *Equipment* Tab. Setpoint change
events open a dialog letting you choose the next setpoint value. As
in the planner, a setpoint value of zero shows the diver is
breathing from an open circuit system while any non-zero value
shows the use of a closed circuit rebreather (CCR).
By right-clicking while over
an existing marker a menu appears, adding options to allow deletion of the
marker, or to allow all markers of that type to be hidden. Hidden events can be
restored to view by selecting Unhide all events from the context menu.
[[S_Filter]]
=== Filtering the dive list
The dives in the *Dive List* can be filtered, selecting only some
of the dives based on attributes such as dive tags, dive site, dive guide or buddy.
For instance, filtering lets you list the dives during a particular year at a specific
dive site, or otherwise the cave dives with a particular buddy. Filtering can be performed
based on virtually any information in the *Info* panel.
To open the filter, select _Log -> Filter divelist_ from the main menu. This replaces the
_Dive Map Panel_ with a _Filter Panel_. The top window bar contains the number of dives that satisfy the
current criteria of the filter (see image below).
image::images/FilterWindowBar.jpg["Figure: Filter Window Bar",align="center"]
By default a full-text specification for filtering is shown. For instance, if one typed the word "shark" into the
_Full-text_ box, all dives are shown that have the word "shark" in any of the text fields in the *Info* panel,
including the _Notes_, the _Tags_ and _Location_. One can select whether the search phrase (e.g. "shark") must be
a complete word, the starting part of a word (e.g. "SharkLife") or any part of a word (e.g. "whalesharks"). See the image below.
image::images/FilterFullText.png["Figure: Filter: Full Text Filter",align="center"]
==== Defining Constraints
However, filtering can be performed in a much more precise way by adding constraints to the filter panel.
Clicking the _Load Constraints_ button (located near the top left-hand of the filter panel) brings up a list of
the terms that could be selected for filtering the *Dive List*.
image::images/FilterConstraints.png["Figure: Filter:Constraints list",align="center"]
For instance, selecting the constraint "Location" from this list adds a line to
the filter panel for specifying the location constraint. For instance, typing "Sodwana" into the Locality
text box brings up all the dives for which the dive location was given as Sodwana. There are two combo-boxes
associated with the Location constraint. Selecting "is not" from the first combobox allows showing all the dives
that were NOT performed at Sodwana. The second combobox operates in a similar way to that of the Full-text filter
as described above (first part of word, complete word, contains-word). Constraints can be refined in one of two ways:
image::images/FilterOR.png["Figure: Filter: OR operation",align="center"]
1. Filtering dives at more than one site: I may wish to list dives at Sodwana *as well as* at Aliwal (a logical OR operation).
In this case type both dive sites into the text box, separated by a comma (see image below).
2. Filtering some dive at a dive site: I may wish to list only the dives at 2 Mile Reef at Sodwana. However the
way I entered the dive locations for dives was not consistent (some cases "2 Mile Reef Sodwana", other cases
"Sodwana 2 mile reef"). In that case add a Location constraint, select "with substring" from the combobox and specify "Sodwana". Then add a second
Location constraint, select "with substring" from the combobox and type "2 mile Reef") in the location text box
(see image below). This is a logical AND operation. The same principles apply to all constraints
selectable from the constraints list.
image::images/FilterAND.png["Figure: Filter: AND operation",align="center"]
We may wish to refine our selection of dives to show in the *Dive List*. Let's say we wish to show dives for which the water
temperature was 18 °C or higher. Select "Water Temp." from the list of constraints. A line containing this new constraint is added to the filter
panel. Select "at least" from the combobox on this line and type "18" in the appropriate text box. Below is an image with constraints defined to filter dives at Sodwana with water temperatures at 18 °C or higher.
image::images/Filter-LocTemp.png["Figure: Filter: Stage 2 Filter set construction",align="center"]
In order to refine our filter we may wish to show only dives on a Tuesday. Select "week day" from the list of constraints. A line
containing this new constraint is added to the filter panel with a dropdown list of days that are selectable. Select "Tuesday" from the
list. The image below shows a filter that selects dives at Sodwana on Tuesdays with the water temperature at or above 18 °C.
image::images/Filter-LocTempWeek.png["Figure: Filter: Stage 3 Filter set construction",align="center"]
As a last step in refining our filter we may wish to add another constraint specifying visibility of at least three stars. Select
"visibility" from the list of constraints. A new line is added to the filter panel, allowing us to select the number of stars
we require. In this case click on the third star and ensure that the combobox shows "at least". We have now filtered for all dives
at Sodwana on a Tuesday with water temperature at or above 18 °C and with a 3-star or better visibility.
image::images/Filter-LocTempWeekVis.png["Figure: Filter: Stage 4 Filter set construction",align="center"]
Clearly it is possible to construct highly refined filters. The examples above show only a tiny fraction of the possibilities
in creating filters.
*Deleting a constraint:* A constraint can be removed from the filter by clicking the appropriate dustbin icon on the left of the filter panel.
==== Filter Sets
We need to define a new term: "Filter sets". A "Filter set" is a combination of constraints that have been defined to form a
filter, as in our example above. Specifying a filter set (as above) can take some time and experimentation, and we may wish
to save this set for later use. Save the set by clicking the button "Save set". A text box opens to provide a name for this set.
Provide a set name, click the OK button and the set is now permanently saved as part of the overall dive log.
If you wish to access the filter set on a later date, click the button "Load set". This provides a list of sets that
have been saved. Select the set you wish to use. It is loaded into the filter panel, showing the name of the set in the top
line of the panel immediately following "Current set:"
Filter sets can be deleted by selecting the "Filter sets" tab in the Filter Panel and by clicking on the dustbin icon on the left
of the appropriate filter set name.
==== Closing the filter panel
The filter action can only be stopped by using the _Reset_ button (yellow up-arrow) or
by manually deleting any full-text specification as well as all the constraints with associated dustbin icons.
Closing the _Filter Panel_ does not terminate
filtering: the filtered dive list remains unchanged. This is obvious from the top bar of the _Subsurface_
window indicating that only some of all the dives are shown. Closing the _Filter Panel_ activates the _Map Panel_,
allowing viewing the map locations of the filtered dive list. For instance one might wish to filter on
Bob Smith as a buddy. Closing the _Filter Panel_ allows viewing the map locations where Bob Smith was a buddy.
To re-open the _Filter Panel_ in this case, select _Log -> Filter divelist_ from the _Main Menu_. To switch
off filtering and exit the _Filter Panel_, click on _Reset_ and then on _Close_.
[[S_Stats]]
=== Dive statistics
Creating meaningful statistics that convey the information you are looking for is surprisingly hard. Different users have very different needs and very different expectations. Subsurface provides a rather detailed set of statistics features to summarize information from the dive log in a graphical way. To access the dive statistics tool, select _Main Menu_ -> _View_ -> _Dive Statistics_. This tool is so flexible that it is impossible to cover every possible use case. Rather, we provide a conceptual introduction, followed by specific examples. The tool can be closed using the Close button at the top left. The Statistics tool has four panels (see image below):
1. A setup panel containing comboboxes for requesting a graph (top left).
2. The graph that has been requested (top right).
3. The Filter panel (bottom right).
4. The Dive List, reflecting the dives or dive trips included in the analysis (bottom left).
image::images/StatsPanel.jpg["Statistics panel",align="center"]
[[S_Stats_Intro]]
****
*A diver's introduction to statistical graphs*
[icon="images/icons/important.png"]
[IMPORTANT]
The extreme flexibility of the Statistics tool means that you need to provide detailed information about what information Subsurface should provide. It helps to have a clear objective, a solid understanding of what you want Subsurface to show you. In other words, you need to formulate the correct question. There are so many graphical display options that, if you do not formulate the question correctly, the information is unlikely to be presented in a valid or appropriate way. Because all statistical results in Subsurface are shown as graphs, formulating an appropriate specification requires four steps:
a) Which dives do you wish to graph? Perhaps you wish to analyze dives during winter, or dives on tropical reefs, or dives at a specific dive site. Use the Filter panel for selecting those dives. The section on the <<S_Filter,_Filter tool_>> contains complete instructions for filtering the dive list.
b) Which variable should be displayed along the bottom horizontal axis of the graph? Let's say you wish to see how many dives you performed each year. In this case the variable along the bottom horizontal axis would be "Year". Alternatively, if you wished to compare the mean depth of your dives using different suit types, then "Suit type" would be selected as the variable for the bottom horizontal axis. Alternatively, if you wished to visualize the water temperature for dives of different dive depths, then you would select "Max. depth" as the variable on the horizontal axis (see image below). The variable along the horizontal axis is also called the "base variable", the "X-axis variable" or the "independent variable": it defines the basic units or categories used for analysis.
image::images/StatsGraphAxes.jpg["Example: Statistics graph axes",align="center"]
c) Which variable should be displayed along the left-hand vertical axis of the graph? This is the variable that you are primarily interested in. In some cases this could just be a count such as "No. of dives". However, if you are interested in water temperature at different dive depths, you would select "Water temperature" as the variable along the vertical axis (see image above). In this case you are primarily interested in water temperature, not in dive depth (which would be the variable along the horizontal axis). The variable along the vertical axis is also called the "data variable" or the "dependent variable": it is the variable affected by (or dependent on) the values of the variable along the horizontal axis, as in the graph above.
*NB:* Since, in Subsurface, the graphs can be rotated to be horizontally-oriented or vertically oriented, the terms "horizontal axis variable" and "vertical axis variable" are not appropriate. We use the term *Base variable* to denote the conventional horizontal axis variable and the *Data variable* to denote the conventional vertical axis variable.
d) Which chart type do you require? By default Subsurface selects the most appropriate graph type, but this is a user-selectable option. Taking the example of water temperature at various depths above, the image below shows three of the possible chart types of the same data: Image A below shows the raw data by plotting the exact temperature and depth for each dive. Image B, however, groups the dives in 5m depth intervals within which the temperature for each dive is indicated (the red marks are explained below). Image C also groups the dives in 5m depth intervals. However, in this case the minimum, maximum, mean, upper quartile and lower quartile are shown for each depth class.
image::images/StatsGraphOptions.jpg["Statistics graph options",align="center"]
The point of the discussion above is to show that, _before initiating a graph, you need to think carefully about what you want Subsurface to show_, at least keeping the above four aspects in consideration.
*A more technical note on the valid use of statistical graphs*
When graphing variables from a dive log, there is an important distinction between _continuous variables_ and _categorical variables_. These two data types are typically graphed in different ways. A continuous variable can theoretically have any value. For instance dive depth can have any value greater than zero (theoretically negative depths indicate height above the water but this is not a practical possibility). Consequently, depths of 21.63857 meters or 44.7653 feet are entirely realistic. Dates are also continuous since the annual value of any particular instant in time can be presented. For instance a dive at 12 noon on April 1st 2020 can be presented by a value of 2020.24726 (90.5/366 days in that leap year). On the other hand dive mode is a categorical variable: there are no values between "Freedive" and "Open circuit" or between "Open Circuit" and "CCR". Other categorical variables include Buddy, Visibility, Rating and Suit type. Different methods are used to represent these two types of variables, evident from the way in which the axes are organized. It is perfectly valid to create a
graph with a continuous Base variable and a categorical Data variable and _vice versa_. However, when using a continuous Base variable, use a
histogram, NOT a bar-chart. The images below show counts of dives at different depths. Image A is a histogram showing that no dives were conducted between 55m and 60m depth. However two dives were performed between 60m and 65m: these two bars (55-60m and 60-65m) have equally important information. Image B shows the bar-chart of the same dataset where depth has been converted to a categorical type. Notice that the two bars with no dives (55-60m and 75-80m) are omitted. Important information is lost because of the use of a bar-chart to represent continuous data.
image::images/StatsDataTypes.jpg["Statistics: bar-charts of continuous and categorical data types",align="center"]
****
==== Graphs of counts data
By default, when the Statistics panel is opened, a histogram is shown of the number of dives performed each year. This is an example of *counts* data. To request a graph representing counts, three comboboxes need to be set:
a) The top combobox of the Base variable needs to be specified. Which variable should be along the horizontal axis? Examples are Year, Buddy, Rating, Max. depth.
b) The binning combobox for the Base variable needs to be specified. This represents the increment for each bar along the horizontal axis. For instance, when counts of number of dives are extracted for years, this could be in increments of a year, a quarter (3 month period) or a month. For some variables, e.g. Buddy or Rating, a binning value is not relevant and cannot be selected. However, for others, e.g. Year or Max. depth, selecting the appropriate binning is important.
c) For simple counts data, the top combobox of the Data variable needs to be set to "none". This is because a data variable is not involved in this type of graph. Divers used to spreadsheets may prefer a *pie chart* for these data, achieved by selecting "Categorical/piechart" from the Chart combobox. It is possible to simultaneously provide counts for two variables. In this case one could specify a Data variable which results in the counts being subdivided according to the data variable. This option does not have a piechart equivalent. Detailed information for each bar can be obtained by hovering the mouse over the the appropriate bar.
For simple histograms, the default height of each bar is determined by the mean value for the observations included in each bar. However, this can be manipulated using the Operation combobox to show the mean, maximum, minimum, median and sum applicable to each bar. Image A below shows quarterly count data of dives while image B shows quarterly count data, subdivided by dive mode (some dives open circuit, other dives rebreather). The mouse is positioned over a specific bar to provide detailed information. The legend can be dragged around so that it does not obscure part of the graph. Alternatively, the legend can be removed by deselecting the appropriate checkbox at the bottom left of the setup panel.
image::images/StatsCountsData.jpg["Counts data example",align="center"]
==== Scattergraphs
Sometimes you might wish to investigate the relationship between two dive variables. Has my SAC rate decreased over the years? Is the water temperature colder at greater dive depth? One of the ways of investigating these questions is to draw a scattergraph where the values of one variable is plotted against the other variable (see image below).
image::images/StatsRegression.jpg["Regression data example",align="center"]
For the dataset in the above image, the SAC rate appears to have decreased over time. If the "linear regression" checkbox is marked, a red line is shown that summarizes the best estimate of the relationship between SAC rate and year. In this graph it appears that SAC rate has decreased from around 21 l/min to around 14 l/min between 2013 and 2021. The pink area around the red line indicates the uncertainty of the precise orientation of the line. The line is expected to lie somewhere within the pink area with a certainty of 95%. The intensity of the pink color also indicates the relative reliability of these estimates. The procedure for obtaining a scattergraph is:
a) Specify the Base variable: Which variable should be along the horizontal axis? Examples are Date, Temperature, Max. depth, SAC rate.
b) Set the binning value for the Base variable to "none".
c) Specify the Data variable: Which variable should be along the vertical axis?
Within the scattergraph, hover over a specific point to see more information for that point.
==== Comparisons between categories of dives
You might also wish to compare different categories of dives. Is the (5-star) Rating of a dive related to water temperature? Is my SAC rate related to diving with different dive suits? Since dive suit and Rating are categories, a scattergraph is not appropriate. The default is a categorical dot graph, which, in the case of image A below, shows the precise water temperatures for each Rating. The red lines indicate the top quartile, the mean and the lower quartile of temperature for each rating. The column with no star indicates dives for which a Rating has not been selected. It appears that dives with a 5-star rating have higher temperatures that the other ratings. To obtain a categorical graph:
a) Select a variable with categories (along the horizontal axis) as a Base variable.
b) Select the data variable and set binning to "none".
c) By default the Chart combobox shows "Categorical/data points". If this is not the case, select this value.
image::images/StatsCategoricalData.jpg["Stats: Comparison of categories",align="center"]
Alternatively you could create a Box-whisker graph for the same data. In the Chart combobox, select "Categorical/box-whisker". This creates a graph indicating the maximum, top quartile (Q3), median, bottom quartile (Q1) and minimum for each category or class. Image B above shows a box-whisker graph for the same data as image A above. You can see that the values for a Rating of 5 stars tend to be higher than for other ratings. Hover over a box to see more complete information for that box.
==== Counts comprising more than one category in a bar
As explained in the section above on counts data, bar-charts showing a breakdown of each category for a number of subcategories is easy (images below).
a) Select a variable with categories (along the horizontal axis) as a Base variable (e.g. dive mode or suite type).
b) Select another category of data as a Data variable (e.g. gas type or cylinder type).
The images below show two alternative bar-chart representations. If, in the Chart combobox, one selects "Barchart/stacked vertical", a graph similar to image A below is generated. This summarized a log of technical dives where, for each cylinder gas type, the bar is subdivided into a count for open-circuit dives and for rebreather dives. On the other hand, if "Barchart/grouped vertical" is selected in the Chart combobox, a graph similar to image B, below, is produced. Here the subdivision within each gas type is shown as adjacent bars.
image::images/StatsBarchartSubdivided.jpg["Stats subdivided barchart",align="center"]
==== Graph orientation
Bar-charts can be rotated by 90 degrees by selecting the appropriate chart type in the Chart combobox. For instance, here is the horizontal bar-chart produced when selecting "Barchart/stacked horizontal" in the Chart combobox and using the same dataset as in the graph above. This is useful if the labels for different bars are long, preventing them being displayed with vertical bar charts.
image::images/StatsBarchartHorizontal.jpg["Stats: Horizontal comparison of categories",align="center"]
==== Rapid graphing of subsets of data in a graph (restricting the displayed data)
Let's say you are viewing a bar graph showing mean maximum dive depth for different years. However two of the years have dive
depth values that appear atypical and you wish to inspect the dives only for those two years. The obvious approach is to use the xref:S_Filter[Filter tool]
to select only data for the two years of interest and then view those data using the Statistics panel. However,
_Subsurface_ provides a rapid mechanism of selecting the appropriate subset of data using your mouse. In the above example of a bar graph,
select the bars for the two years of interest by clicking on them and activate the "Restrict to selection" button towards the bottom left
of the Statistics panel.
This displays only the data for the two bars that have been selected. This restricted subset can now be analyzed
using all the options in the Statistics panel. Below is a scattergraph for a number of dives, showing the water temperature for different dive depths.
image::images/StatsRestricted.jpg["Stats: Selecting restricted data",align="center"]
Let's say you wish to analyze only dives at tropical dive sites, defined by temperatures above 22°C and depths less than 60m. Select the
appropriate dives by dragging your mouse across the scattergraph (see image above) and restrict the data by activating the "Restrict to selection" button.
Now only the selected subset of points is shown on the graph. You can now select *Base* and *Data* variables to further analyze the restricted data.
The graph below shows the SAC rates as a function of dive depth for the restricted dataset created
above. The graph shows that SAC rate was more or less constant (around 15 l/min) for all dive depths at tropical dive sites.
image::images/StatsRestrictedGraph.jpg["Stats: Showing restricted data",align="center"]
The ability to rapidly create subsets of data for display (using the restriction tool) creates a powerful mechanism to do rapid but detailed analysis of a dive log.
After creating a data subset, The text in the restriction tool indicates the number of dives in the subset that has been selected. Note, in the figure above, that a
previously greyed-out button, "Reset restriction", has been made active after restricting
the data for graphing. The original dataset can be restored by clicking the "Reset restriction" button. The text in the restriction tool now shows "Analyzing all dives".
== Organizing the logbook (Manipulating groups of dives)
[[S_DiveListContextMenu]]
=== The Dive List context menu
Several actions on either a single dive, or a group of dives, can be performed using the Dive List
Context Menu. It is found by selecting either a single dive or a group of dives and then right-clicking.
image::images/ContextMenu.jpg["Figure: Context Menu",align="center"]
The context menu is used in many functions described below.
[[S_Divelist_columns]]
==== Customizing the columns showed in the *Dive List* panel
image::images/DiveListOptions.jpg["Example: Dive list info options",align="center"]
The default information in the *Dive List* includes, for each dive, Dive_number, Date, Rating, Dive_depth,
Dive_duration and Dive_location. This information can be controlled and changed by right-clicking on the
header bar of the *Dive List*, bringing up a list of columns
that can be shown in the dive list (see above). Check an items to be included in the *Dive List*.
The list is immediately updated. Preferences for information
shown in the *Dive List* are saved and used when _Subsurface_ is re-opened.
[[S_Photos_divelist]]
By selecting the _Media_ checkbox in the dropdown list, an icon is shown indicating whether any media
are associated with a particular dive. There are three icons:
[icon="images/icons/duringPhoto.png"]
[NOTE]
This dive has photographs or videos taken during the dive, typically using an underwater camera.
[icon="images/icons/outsidePhoto.png"]
[NOTE]
This dive has photographs or videos taken immediately before or immediately after the dive. This is useful for
finding photos/media of dive teams or boats just before/after the dive, whales or other surface animals seen
just before or after the dive, or of landscapes as seen from the boat.
[icon="images/icons/inAndOutPhoto.png"]
[NOTE]
This dive has photographs or videos taken both during the dive and immediately before or after the dive.
[[S_Renumber]]
=== Renumbering the dives
Dives are normally numbered incrementally from non-recent dives (low sequence
numbers) to recent dives (higher sequence numbers). Numbering
of dives is not always consistent. For instance, when non-recent dives are
added, correct numbering does not automatically follow on because
of the dives that are more recent in date/time than the newly-added dive with
an older date/time. This requires renumbering the dives.
Do this by selecting (from the Main Menu) _Log -> Renumber_. Provide
the lowest sequence number to be used.
This results in new sequence numbers (based on date/time)
for all the dives in the *Dive List* panel.
Renumber a few selected dives in the dive list by selecting only the dives that
need renumbering. Right-click on the selected list and use the Dive List Context Menu
to perform the renumbering. A popup window appears letting the user specify
the starting number for the process.
[[S_Group]]
=== Grouping dives into trips and manipulating trips
For regular divers, the dive list can rapidly become very long. _Subsurface_
can group dives into _trips_. It does this by grouping dives that have
date/times not separated by more than two days and creating
a single heading for each diving trip represented in the dive log. Below is an
ungrouped dive list (*A*, on the left) as well as the corresponding grouped dive
list of five dive trips (*B*, on the right):
image::images/Group2.jpg["Figure: Grouping dives",align="center"]
Grouping into trips allows a rapid way of accessing individual dives without
having to scan a long lists of dives. To group the dives in a dive list,
(from the Main Menu) select _Log -> Auto group_. The *Dive List* panel
now shows only the titles for the trips.
==== Editing the title and associated information for a particular trip
Normally, in the dive list, minimal information is included in the trip title.
More information about a trip can be added by selecting its trip title bar from
the *Dive List*. This shows a *Trip Notes* tab in the *Notes* panel. Here
you can add or edit information about the date/time, the trip location and any
other general comments about the trip as a whole (e.g. the dive
company that was used, the general weather and surface conditions during the trip, etc.).
After entering this
information, select *Save* from the buttons at the top right
of the *Trip Notes*
tab. The trip title in the *Dive List* panel should now reflect the
edited information.
==== Viewing the dives during a particular trip
Once the dives have been grouped into trips, you can expand one or more
trips by clicking the expansion button [+/-] on the left of each trip title. This expands
the selected trip, revealing individual dives during the trip.
==== Merging dives from more than one trip into a single trip
After selecting a trip title, the context menu allows the merging
of trips by either merging the selected trip with the trip below or with the
trip above. (Merge trip with trip below; Merge trip with trip above)
==== Splitting a single trip into more than one trip
If a trip includes, for example, ten dives, you can split this trip into two trips (trip 1:
top four dives; trip 2: bottom six dives) by selecting and right-clicking the top
four dives. The resulting context menu lets the user create a new trip by
choosing the option *Create new trip above*. The top four dives are then
grouped
into a separate trip. The figures below show the selection and context menu
on the left (A) and
the completed action on the right (B):
image::images/SplitDive3a.jpg["FIGURE: Split a trip into 2 trips",align="center"]
=== Manipulating single dives
==== Delete a dive from the dive log
Dives can be permanently deleted from the dive log by selecting and
right-clicking them to bring up the context menu, then selecting *Delete
dive(s)*. Typically this would apply to a case where a user wishes to delete
workshop
calibration dives of the dive computer or dives of extremely short duration.
==== Unlink a dive from a trip
You can unlink dives from the trip to which they belong. To do this,
select and right-click
the relevant dives to bring up the context menu. Then select the option *Remove dive(s)
from trip*. The dive(s) now appear immediately above or below the trip to
which they belonged, depending on the date and time of the unlinked dive.
==== Add a dive to the trip immediately above
Selected dives can be moved from the trip to which they belong and placed within
a separate trip. To do this, select and right-click
the dive(s) to bring up the context menu, and then select *Create new trip above*.
==== Shift the start time of dive(s)
Sometimes its necessary to adjust the start time of a dive. This may apply to
situations where dives are done in different time zones or when the dive
computer has a wrong time. To do this, select and right-click
the dive(s) to be
adjusted. This brings up the context menu on which the *Shift times*
option should be selected. You must then specify the
time
(in hours and minutes) by which the dives should be adjusted and click on the
option of whether the time adjustment should be earlier or later.
==== Merge dives into a single dive
Sometimes a dive is briefly interrupted, for example, if a diver returns to the surface
for a few minutes, resulting in two or more dives being recorded by the dive
computer and appearing as different dives in the *Dive List* panel.
Merge these dives onto a single dive by selecting the appropriate dives,
right-clicking them to bring up the context menu and then selecting *Merge selected
dives*. It may be necessary to edit the dive information in the *Notes*
panel to reflect events or conditions that apply to the merged dive. The figure
below shows the depth profile of two dives that were merged:
image::images/MergedDive.png["Example: Merged dive",align="center"]
==== Split selected dives
On some occasions, a diver reaches the surface and immediately dives again. However,
it may happen that the dive computer does not register a new dive, but continues
the previous dive due to the brief surface interval. In this case it is possible to
split a dive so that the two dives are shown as independent dives on the *Dive List*.
If this operation is performed, _Subsurface_ scans the selected dive(s) and splits the
dive at points during the dive where the depth is less than a meter.
==== Load image(s) from file(s)
This topic is discussed in the section: xref:S_LoadImage[Adding photographs or videos to dives].
==== Load image from web
This topic is discussed in the section: xref:S_LoadImage[Adding photographs or videos to dives].
==== Undo dive manipulations
Important actions on dives or trips, described above, can be undone or redone.
This includes: _delete dives_, _merge dives_, _split selected dives_, _renumber dives_ and _shift dive times_.
To do this after performing any of these actions, from the *Main Menu* select
_Edit_. This brings up the possibility to _Undo_ or _Redo_ an action.
[[S_ExportLog]]
== Exporting the dive log or dive sites
=== Exporting the dive log
The export function can be found by selecting _File -> Export_, which brings up
the Export dialog. This dialog always gives two options: save ALL dives, or save only
the dives selected in *Dive List* panel of _Subsurface_. Click the appropriate
radio button (see images below).
image::images/Export_f20.jpg["Figure: Export dialog",align="center"]
A dive log or part of it can be saved in several formats:
* _Subsurface XML_ format. This is the native format used by _Subsurface_.
* _Subsurface dive sites XML_. Export the dive sites in XML format. This allows the
sharing of dive sites with other divers or software.
* Universal Dive Data Format (_UDDF_). Refer to _http://uddf.org_ for more information.
UDDF is a generic format that enables communication among many dive computers
and computer programs.
* _Divelogs.de_, an Internet-based dive log repository. In order to upload to _Divelogs.de_,
you need a user-ID as well as a password for _Divelogs.de_. Log into _http://en.divelogs.de_
and subscribe to this service to upload dive log data from _Subsurface_.
* _DiveShare_ is also a dive log repository on the Internet focusing on recreational
dives. To upload dives, you need a user ID, so registration with
_http://scubadiveshare.com_ is required.
* _CSV summary dive details_, that includes the most critical information of the dive
profile. Included information of a dive is: dive number, date, time, buddy,
duration, depth, temperature and atmospheric pressure: in short, most of the information
that recreational divers enter into handwritten log books. It does not include the dive profile.
* _CSV Dive computer dive profile_, that includes a large amount of detail for each dive, including
the depth profile, temperature and pressure information of each dive. The source of the data
being saved are the data as downloaded from your dive computer.
* _CSV Computer Profile Panel data_. This option exports the information presented in the _Profile Panel_.
The _Profile panel_ contains many calculated and interpolated values, e.g. SAC,
cylinder pressure, decompression ceilings, gas partial pressures and interpolated depths. These
data therefore differ from the raw dive information imported from a dive computer. This export option
is primarily intended to be accessible to external software for further processing of the _Profile Panel_
information.
* _Dive profile_, which enables easy sharing of the dive profile using social media.
This option writes the image of the dive profile(s) in a _.png_ graphics
format to the folder specified in the _File save_ dialog. The saved image
looks exactly like the on-screen profile, so ensure that all the appropriate
profile toolbar options are activated. If several dives are
selected, the images are written as separate graphics files. Selecting the
_Dive profile_ option opens a window to name the file(s) to which the profile(s)
is written. Provide a filename and select _Save_ to create the graphics output.
* _Worldmap_ format, an HTML file with a world map upon which each dive and
some information about it are indicated. This map is not editable. If you select any
of the dive sites on the map, a summary of the dive is available in text, as shown
in the image below.
image::images/mapview_f20.jpg["Figure: HTML Map export view",align="center"]
* _TeX_ format, a file for printing using the TeX typesetting
software. Choose a filename with a '.tex' extension. You will also
need a template file, that can be obtained from
link:http://www.atdotde.de/%7erobert/subsurfacetemplate/[http://www.atdotde.de/~robert/subsurfacetemplate/] in the same
directory as the '.tex' file. The file can then be processed with
plain TeX (not LaTeX), for example by running 'pdftex filename.tex'
on the command line.
image::images/texexample.png["Figure: Export to TeX", align="center"]
* _LaTeX_. Write the dive(s) to a LaTeX document of which the typesetting is done automatically
using TeX. LaTeX handles page content and layout while TeX handles typesetting.
* _Image depths_, which creates a text file that contains the file names of all
photos or videos attached
to any of the selected dives in the _Dive List_, together with the depth underwater where
of each of those photos/videos was taken.
When the "Anonymize" option is selected for xml-based file formats, the letters A-Z
are all replaced by the letter 'X' in the notes, buddy, dive guide, divesite name
and divesite description fields. This way, you can share dive log files for debugging
purposes without revealing personal information. Please note, though, that other
characters are not replaced, so this is not useful for languages with non-latin
characters and GPS coordinates of dive sites are preserved as well.
* _HTML_. This export is provided by selecting the appropriate tab at the top of the panel.
The dive(s) are stored in HTML files, readable
with an Internet browser. Most modern web browsers are supported, but JavaScript
must be enabled. The HTML export cannot be changed or edited.
It contains most of the information recorded in the dive log. However, it does not show the
calculated values in the *Dive Profile* panel, e.g. dive ceiling, calculated cylinder pressure, gas
pressures and MOD. The HTML export contains a search
option to search the dive log. HTML export is specified on the second tab of the
Export dialog (image *B* above). A typical use of this option is to export all your
dives to a smartphone or a tablet where it would serve as a portable record
of dives, useful for dive companies wishing to verify the dive history of a diver,
and doing away with the need to carry an original logbook
when doing dives with dive companies.
* _General Settings_, under the HTML tab, provides the following options:
** Subsurface Numbers: if this option is checked, the dive(s) are exported with the
numbers associated with them in Subsurface, Otherwise the dive(s) will be numbered
starting from 1.
** Export Yearly Statistics: if this option is checked, a yearly statistics table will
be attached to the HTML exports.
** Export List only: a list of dives only (date, time, depth, duration) will be exported
and the detailed dive information, e.g. dive profile, will not be available.
* Under _Style Options_ some style-related options are available like font
size and theme.
Export to other formats can be done through third party facilities, for
instance _www.divelogs.de_.
[[S_Cloud_access]]
== Keeping a _Subsurface_ dive log in the Cloud
For each diver, dive log information is highly important. Not only is it a record
of diving activities for your pleasure, but its important information required
for admission to training courses or sometimes even diving sites. The
security of the dive log is critical. To have a dive log that is
resistant to failure of a home computer hard drive, loss or theft of equipment, the
Cloud is an obvious solution. This also has the added benefit that you can access your dive
log from anywhere in the world. For this reason, facilities such as _divelogs.de_ and _Diving Log_ offer to store
dive log information on the Internet.
_Subsurface_ includes access to a transparently integrated cloud storage
back end that is available to all Subsurface users. Storing and retrieving a dive log
from the cloud is no more difficult than accessing the dives on the local hard disk.
The only requirement is that you should first register as a user on the cloud.
To use _Subsurface cloud storage_ , follow these steps:
=== Create a cloud storage account
** Open the _Cloud Preferences_ by selecting _File_ -> _Preferences_ -> _Cloud_. (See image of the
Clod Preference panel xref:S_Pref_cloud[here]).
** In the section headed _Subsurface cloud storage_, enter an email address that
_Subsurface_ can use for user registration. This is the only step that requires an email address.
Subsurface will never use this email address again.
** Enter a novel password that _Subsurface_ will use to store the
dive log in the cloud. The password can comprise lower case letters,
numbers, plus(+), minus(-) and underscore(_).
** Click _Apply_ to send the above email address and password to the
(remote) cloud server. The server responds by sending a verification PIN to
the above email address (This is the *only* occasion that _Subsurface_ uses the
email address provided above). The _Cloud Preferences_ dialog now has a new PIN text
box, not visible previously.
** Enter the PIN in the corresponding text box in the _Cloud Preferences_ dialog
(this field is only visible while the server is waiting for email
address confirmation)
** Click _Apply_ again. The _Subsurface cloud storage_ account
will be marked as verified and the _Subsurface cloud storage_ service is initialized for use.
****
[icon="images/icons/important.png"]
[IMPORTANT]
If you encounter any problems during the cloud registration process, read the xref:S_APPENDIX_G[Cloud FAQ]
****
=== Using _Subsurface cloud storage_
** Once the cloud storage has been initialized, two new items appear in the
_File_ menu of the main menu system: _Open cloud storage_ and _Save to cloud storage_.
These options let you load and save data to the _Subsurface
cloud storage_ server.
** In the _Dive Log Preferences_ tab, you can select to use the _Subsurface cloud
storage_ data as the default data file by checking the box marked _Cloud storage default file_.
This means the data from
the _Subsurface cloud storage_ is loaded when _Subsurface_ starts and saved there when _Subsurface_ closes.
** _Subsurface_ keeps a local copy of the data and the cloud facility remains fully
functional even if used while disconnected to the Internet. _Subsurface_ simply synchronizes the
data with the cloud server the next time the program is used while the computer is
connected to the Internet.
[[S_Cloud_storage]]
=== Web access to _Subsurface cloud storage_
One of the nice side benefits of using _Subsurface cloud storage_ is that
you can also access your dive data from any web browser. Simply open
https://cloud.subsurface-divelog.org[_https://cloud.subsurface-divelog.org_],
log in with the same email and password, and you can see an HTML export of
the last dive data that was synced to _Subsurface cloud storage_. The dive information
shown is only the contents of the recorded dive logs, NOT the calculated values
shown in the *Profile* panel,
including some cylinder pressures, deco ceilings and O~2~/He/N~2~ partial pressures.
=== Other cloud services
If you prefer not to use the integrated cloud storage of dive logs (and
don't need the web access), its simple to store
dive logs in the cloud using several of the existing facilities on the
Internet.
For instance
https://www.dropbox.com/[_Dropbox_]
offers a free application that allows
files on the Dropbox servers to be seen as a local folder on a desktop computer.
image::images/Cloud.jpg["FIGURE: Dropbox folder",align="center"]
The _Dropbox_ program creates a copy of the _Dropbox_ Internet Cloud content on your
desktop computer. When the computer is connected to the Internet, the Internet
content is automatically updated. Therefore both the _Open_ and _Save_ of dive logs are done
using the local copy of the dive log in the local _Dropbox_ folder, so there's no need
for a direct internet connection. If the local copy is modified, e.g. by adding a dive,
the remote copy in the _Dropbox_ server in the Cloud will be automatically updated whenever
Internet access is available.
[[S_user_space]]
== Several _Subsurface_ users on one desktop computer
A frequent need is for two or more persons to use _Subsurface_ on the same desktop computer. For instance
members of a household may use the same computer or one family member may perform dive uploads for other
family members/friends. There are two approaches for doing this.
*A)* If the different users of a desktop computer do not log onto the desktop/laptop under different user names
then the simplest way is for each person to use her/his own divelog file within Subsurface. In this case John
would work with the _Subsurface_ file _johns-divelog_ and Joan would use _joans-divelog_. Select
the appropriate dive log by selecting, from the *Main Menu*, _File -> Open logbook_ and then select your own
dive log file from the list of files lower down in the menu. However, a problem arises if the users
prefer different settings for _Subsurface_. For instance, one diver may prefer to see the dive ceiling in the
*Profile Panel* and media icons in the *Dive List*, while the other may not have these preferences. In addition,
the cloud connection is normally unique for each _Subsurface_ installation and if more than one user wishes to save
dive data on the cloud, it is inconvenient to open the *Preferences* and change the user-ID data every time
the cloud is accessed. To solve these problems, launch _Subsurface_ with a _--user=<user name>_ command-line option.
John can then activate _Subsurface_ with this command-line instruction:
subsurface --user=John
while Joan can launch _Subsurface_ using:
subsurface --user=Joan
In this case, each user's preferences, settings and cloud access information are stored separately, allowing
each diver to interact with _Subsurface_ in her/his preferred way and with individual cloud access. The above
process can be made user-friendly by creating a link/shortcut with a desktop icon that executes the above
command-line instruction. Use of the _--user=_ option therefore enables each user to create, maintain and
backup a separate dive log within a personalized user interface. This way, when each diver launches _Subsurface_,
it opens with the correct dive log as well as the appropriate display and backup preferences, and each diver
can access their own divelog on a mobile device using https://subsurface-divelog.org/documentation/subsurface-mobile-user-manual[_Subsurface-Mobile_].
*B)* On the other hand, if the users log onto the same computer using different userIDs and passwords (i.e. users each
have a separate user space), _Subsurface_ is available independently to each user and every diver automatically has a separate
user profile and settings, including unique cloud and _Subsurface-Mobile_ access.
[[S_PrintDivelog]]
== Printing a dive log
_Subsurface_ provides a simple and flexible way to print a whole dive log or only a few selected dives.
Pre-installed templates or a custom written template can be used to choose where the data are fitted into the page.
Some decisions need to be made before printing:
- Should the whole dive log be printed or only part of it? If only part
is required, select the required dives from the *Dive List* panel.
- If the dive profiles are printed, what gas partial pressure information should be shown? Select
the appropriate toggle-buttons on the button bar to the left of the *Dive Profile* panel.
If _File -> Print_ is selected from the Main menu, the dialog below (image *A*) appears. Three
specifications are needed to get the desired information and page layout:
image::images/Print1_f22.jpg["FIGURE: Print dialog",align="center"]
1. Under _Print type_ select one of two options:
- _Dive list print_: Print dives from the *Dive List* panel with profiles and other information.
- _Statistics print_: Print yearly statistics of the dives.
2. Under _Print options_ select:
- Printing only the dives selected from the dive list before
activating the print dialog by checking the box _Print only selected dives_. If this
check box is *not* checked ALL dives in
the *Dive List* panel are printed.
- Printing in color, done by checking the box with _Print in color_. If this check box
is not checked, printing is in black and white.
3. Under _Template_ select a template to be used as the page layout. There are several choices.
(see image *B*, above).
- _Table_: This prints a summary table of all dives selected (see below).
image::images/Print_summarylist_f22.jpg["FIGURE: Print summary table",align="center"]
- _Flow layout_: Print the text associated with each dive without printing the dive profiles
of each dive (see below):
image::images/Print_flow_layout_f22.jpg["FIGURE: Print flow layout",align="center"]
- _One Dive_: Print one dive per page, also showing the dive profile (see below)
image::images/print2_f22.jpg["FIGURE: Print one dive / page",align="center"]
- _Two Dives_: Print two dives per page, also showing the dive profiles.
- _Six Dives_: Print six dives per page, also showing the dive profiles.
You can _Preview_ the printed page by selecting the _Preview_ button on the
dialog (see image *A* at the start of this section). After preview, you can change
the options in the print dialog, so the layout fits personal taste.
Next, select the _Print_ button (see image *A* at the start of this section). This activates the regular print
dialog used by the operating system,
letting you choose a printer and set its properties (see image below):
image::images/Print_print_f22.jpg["FIGURE: Print dialog",align="center"]
Set the print resolution of the printer to an appropriate value by changing
the printer _Properties_. Finally, select the _Print_ button to print the dives.
Below is a (rather small) example of the output for one particular page.
image::images/Printpreview.jpg["FIGURE: Print preview page",align="center"]
=== Writing a custom print template (advanced)
Writing a custom template is an effective way to produce highly customized printouts. Subsurface uses HTML templates
to render printing. You can create a template, export a new template, import an existing template and delete an existing template by using
the appropriate buttons under the _Template_ dropdown list in the print dialog. See <<S_APPENDIX_E,APPENDIX E>> for information on how
to write or modify a template.
[[S_Configure]]
== Configuring a dive computer
_Subsurface_ lets you configure a dive computer. Currently, the Heinrichs-Weikamp (OSTC 2/2N/2C, OSTC 3, Sport) and
Suunto Vyper (Stinger, Mosquito, D3, Vyper, Vytec,
Cobra, Gekko and Zoop) family of dive computers are supported. A large number of settings of these dive computers
can be read and changed to different values. To begin, be sure the appropriate hardware driver
is installed for the dive computer (also required for downloading dives) and the device name of the dive computer is known.
See <<_appendix_a_operating_system_specific_information_for_importing_dive_information_from_a_dive_computer,APPENDIX A>> for information on how to do this.
Once the dive computer is connected to the _Subsurface_ computer, select _File -> Change settings on dive
computer_ from the _Main Menu_. Select the appropriate device name (or mount point) in the
dropdown list at the
top of the configuration panel and select the appropriate dive
computer model from the panel on the left-hand (see image below).
image::images/Configure_dc_f20.jpg["FIGURE: Configure dive computer",align="center"]
Using the appropriate buttons on the configuration panel, the following actions can be done:
- *Retrieve available details*. This loads the existing configuration from the dive computer
to _Subsurface_, showing it in the configuration panel.
- *Save changes to device*. This changes the configuration of the
dive computer to correspond to the information shown in the configuration panel.
- *Backup*. This saves the configuration data to a file. _Subsurface_ asks for
a file location and file name for the saved information.
- *Restore backup*. This loads the information from a backup file and displays it
in the configuration panel.
- *Update firmware*. If new firmware is available for the dive computer, this is
loaded into the dive computer.
[[S_Preferences]]
== Setting user _Preferences_ for _Subsurface_
There are several user-definable settings within _Subsurface_, found by selecting
_File -> Preferences_, mostly affecting the way in which _Subsurface_
shows dive information to the user. The settings are in
twelve panels: _Display_, _Language_, _Units_, _Dive Download_, _Dive log_, _Equipment_,
_Media_, _Tech setup_, _Georeference_, _Cloud_, _Network_ and _Reset_,
all of which operate on the same principles: specified settings can be applied to the display of
the dive log by selecting _Apply_. At this stage, any new settings only apply to the present
session and are not saved. In order to apply
new settings permanently, select the _Save_ button. If you do not wish to
apply the new preferences, select _Cancel_.
=== Display
These settings control the screen display of Subsurface.
image::images/Pref_display.jpg["FIGURE: Preferences: Display",align="center"]
** *Font for lists and tables*: Specify the font type and font size of the
tabular data, e.g. *Dive Table* and Cylinder: decreasing the font size allows one to see more
information on a screen.
** *Animations*: Some actions in showing the dive profile are performed using
animations. For instance, the axis values for depth and time change from dive to
dive. When viewing a different dive, these changes in axis characteristics do not
happen instantaneously, but are animated. The _Speed_ of animations can be controlled
by setting this slider
with faster animation speed to the left, and a 0 value representing no animation
at all.
=== Language
Choose a language that _Subsurface_ will use.
image::images/Pref_lang.jpg["FIGURE: Preferences: Language",align="center"]
Check the _System Default_ language i.e. the language of the underlying operating system
if this is appropriate. This is the default setting in _Subsurface_.
To change it, uncheck this checkbox and pick a language / country
combination from the list of locations. The _Filter_ text box
to list similar languages. For instance there are several system variants of English
or French. *This particular preference requires a restart of _Subsurface_ to take
effect*.
In this panel also specify appropriate date and time formats for showing dive details.
=== Units
image::images/Pref_units.jpg["FIGURE: Preferences: Units",align="center"]
Choose between metric and imperial units of depth, pressure,
volume, temperature and mass. By selecting the Metric or Imperial radio button
at the top, you can specify that all units are in the chosen measurement system.
Alternatively, if you select the *Personalize* radio button, units can be selected
independently, with some in the metric system and others in imperial.
Regardless
of the above settings, dive time measurements can be either in seconds or minutes.
Choose the appropriate option. GPS coordinates can be represented either as
traditional coordinates (degrees, minutes, seconds) or as decimal degrees
Choose the appropriate option.
=== Dive download
image::images/Pref_downld.jpg["FIGURE: Preferences: Dive download",align="center"]
_Subsurface_ remembers connections that are made with dive computers for downloading dives, shown as connection
buttons in the _Dive download panel_. This enables a user to establish a previously-used dive computer connection
by simply selecting one of the connection buttons. This is especially useful when using Bluetooth-equipped dive
computers that need to establish a Bluetooth connection each time a download is done. However, when using more
than one dive computer, several connection buttons are shown and this can be confusing. Delete all the connection
buttons by selecting the button marked "Delete all dive computer connections'. Clearing the connection buttons
requires that when the next download is done, a new connection needs to be established first.
=== Dive log
This panel controls many options for recording information in the log and for displaying
the log.
image::images/Pref_log.jpg["FIGURE: Preferences: Dive log",align="center"]
** *Default dive log file*: For the _Default Dive Log File_ specify the directory and
file name of your
electronic dive log book. This is a file with filename extension of either _.xml_ or _.ssrf_. When
launched, _Subsurface_ will automatically load the specified dive log book. There are three options:
- _No default file_: When checked, _Subsurface_ does not automatically load a dive log at startup.
- _Local default file_: When checked, _Subsurface_ automatically loads a dive log from the local hard disk.
Specify the default file path and divelog name in the text box.
- _Cloud storage default file_: When checked, _Subsurface automatically loads the dive log from the cloud
device that was initialized using the _Cloud_ tab (see below).
** *Display invalid dives*: Dives can be marked as invalid (when a user wishes to hide
dives that he/she doesn't consider valid dives, e.g. pool dives, but still want to
keep them in the dive log). This controls whether those dives are displayed in
the dive list.
** *Show tools for recording wave height, surge and chill during a dive*. Some divers like to record
the sea conditions during a dive. Checking this checkbox allows these tools to be displayed
in the Information tab of the Info panel. The tools for visibility and current are always shown,
irrespective of whether this radio button has been checked or not.
** *Allow editing of water salinity*: The *Information* tab has a tool for displaying the water salinity, i.e. the type of
water dived in and its salinity. In the case of manually-entered dives, editing of water type is *always* active.
In some cases one may want to edit the water type of a dive derived from a dive log. For instance you left the dive computer
setting as "Salt water" while actually diving in an inland lake with fresh water. In this case you may wish to edit the
water type in the dive log and change it to Fresh water. Checking this checkbox allows editing of the water type
of a dive. If the water type of a dive differs from that of the dive computer setting during the dive, a warning is
shown to alert you. This does *not* indicate an error: it is just a useful indication that the water type has been edited.
IMPORTANT: Editing the water type does not change the information of depth,
partial pressures and deco ceiling values for that dive: the information from the dive computer is *always* used.
However, editing the water type gives a useful indication to a diver of what the water type really was during the dive.
** _Show mean depth_: If this box is checked, the *Dive Profile* panel contains a grey line that shows
the mean depth of the dive, up to any time instant during the dive. Normally this is a u-shaped line indicating the deepest mean depth just before
ascent.
=== Equipment
This tab sets some default values relating to equipment.
image::images/Pref_eqpmnt.jpg["FIGURE: Preferences: equipment",align="center"]
** *Default cylinder*: From the dropdown list, select the default cylinder to be used in
the *Equipment* tab of the *Notes* panel. This makes it quicker to enter dive equipment
specifications in the *Equipment* tab.
** *Show unused cylinders*: Checking this checkbox allows showing all cylinders entered for a dive
in the Cylinder Table of the *Equipment* tab, even if one or more cylinders were actually not used.
This will also include unused cylinders in data exports and when dives are cloned for the planner
or merged into one dive.
=== Media
This tab sets some defaults relating to photos or videos during dives.
image::images/Pref_media.jpg["FIGURE: Preferences: media",align="center"]
** *Update thumbnails*: Photographs or videos are sometimes edited after being uploaded and linked to _Subsurface_. If
a photo is therefore more recent than its original thumbnail, checking this checkbox allows a new thumbnail to be created
after a photo or video has been edited.
** *Video thumbnails*: In generating thumbnails for videos associated with dives, _Subsurface_
needs to have the appropriate information (see section on <<S_ViewMedia,View Images>>). Three preferences need to be set
as explained in <<S_APPENDIX_F, APPENDIX F>>. These are: a) switch on thumbnails, b) specify
the location of the _ffmpeg_ program and c) set the place within video where the thumbnail needs
to be obtained from.
=== Tech setup
This tab sets common variables used for decompression calculations pertaining to technical diving.
[[S_CCR_options]]
image::images/Pref_tech.jpg["FIGURE: Preferences: Tech setup",align="center"]
* *Gas pressure display setup*. Even though nitrogen and helium pressures are also included here,
these items mainly pertain to oxygen management:
** _Thresholds_: _Subsurface_ can display graphs of the nitrogen, oxygen and the helium
partial pressures during
the dive, activated using the toolbar on the left of the *Dive Profile*
panel. For each of these graphs, specify a threshold value. If any of the graphs go
above the specified threshold, the graph is
highlighted in red, indicating the particular partial pressure threshold has been exceeded.
The pO~2~ threshold is probably the most important one and a value of 1.6 is commonly used.
** _pO~2~ in calculating MOD_ is used for calculating the maximum operative depth for a particular
nitrox or trimix gas mixture. A value of 1.4 is commonly used.
** CCR Options: These options determine oxygen management for CCR dives:
*** _Dive planner default setpoint_: Specify the O~2~ setpoint for a
CCR dive plan. This determines the pO~2~ maintained
during a particular dive. Setpoint changes during the dive can be added via the
profile context menu.
*** _CCR: Show O~2~ sensor values when viewing pO~2~:_ Show the pO~2~
values associated with each of the individual oxygen sensors of a CCR system.
See the section on xref:S_CCR_dives[Closed Circuit Rebreather dives].
*** _CCR: Show setpoints when viewing pO~2~:_ With this checkbox activated, the pO~2~
graph on the dive profile has an overlay in red which indicates the CCR setpoint
values. See the section on xref:S_CCR_dives[Closed Circuit Rebreather dives].
** _pSCR options_. These preferences determine how passive semi-closed circuit (pSCR) dives
are planned and how the pSCR deco ceiling is calculated:
*** _Metabolic rate:_ this is the
volume of *oxygen* used by a diver during a minute. Set this value for pSCR dive planning
and decompression calculations.
*** _pSCR ratio:_ The dilution ratio (or dump ratio) is the ratio of gas released to the
environment to that of the gas recirculated to the diver. A 1:10 ratio is commonly used.
*** _Show equivalent OC with pSCR pO~2~_: The pO~2~ in the pSCR loop is usually lower than the
pO~2~ of the fresh gas from the cylinder. Activating this checkbox allows the pO~2~ graph
in the dive profile to also show the pO~2~ of the fresh gas entering the loop.
* *Ceiling display setup*. These settings mostly deal with nitrogen and helium management
by determining how the decompression ceiling (ascent ceiling) is calculated and displayed:
** _Draw dive computer reported ceiling red_: This checkbox does exactly what it says. By default
the computer reported ceiling is shown in white.
Not all dive computers report ceiling values. If the dive computer does report it, it may differ
from the ceilings calculated by _Subsurface_ because of the different algorithms and
gradient factors, as well as the dynamic way a
dive computer calculates ceilings during a dive.
** _Algorithm for calculating ceiling_. Choose between the Bühlmann Z1H-L16
decompression model and the VPM-B model:
*** *VPM-B*: Provide a conservatism level for calculating the VPM-B ceiling. Values between 0
(least conservative) and 4 (most conservative) are valid.
[[GradientFactors_Ref]]
*** *Bühlmann*: Set the _gradient factors_ (GFLow and GFHigh) for calculating the deco ceiling following
the ZH-L16 algorithm. GF_Low is the gradient factor at depth and GF_High is used at the surface.
At intermediate depths gradient factors between GF_Low and GF_High are used.
Gradient factors add conservatism to nitrogen and helium exposure during a dive, in a
similar way that many dive computers have a conservatism setting. The lower
the value of a gradient factor, the more conservative the calculations are with
respect to inert gas loading and the deeper the ceilings are. Gradient
factors of 20/60 are considered conservative and values of 70/90 are considered
harsh.
For more information see:
*** http://www.tek-dive.com/portal/upload/M-Values.pdf[Understanding M-values by Erik Baker, _Immersed_ Vol. 3, No. 3.]
*** link:http://www.rebreatherworld.com/general-and-new-to-rebreather-articles/5037-gradient-factors-for-dummies.html[Gradient factors for dummies, by Kevin Watts]
=== Georeference
image::images/Pref_georef.jpg["FIGURE: Georeference panel",align="center"]
_Subsurface_ provides a geo-lookup service (that is, given the coordinates of a dive site) derived from
a click on the *Dive Map panel* at the bottom right of the _Subsurface_ window, or from a GPS instrument or from the _Subsurface-Mobile_ app). A search on the Internet is done to find
the name of the closest known location. This function only works if _Subsurface_ has an
Internet connection. The preference of the dive site name can be configured, e.g. _Country/State/City_
or _City/State/Country_.
[[S_Pref_cloud]]
=== Cloud
These setting allow storing the dive log in the digital cloud.
image::images/Pref_cloud.jpg["FIGURE: Cloud panel",align="center"]
** _Subsurface cloud storage_: To store your dive log in the cloud, a valid email address
and password are required. This lets _Subsurface_ email security information
regarding cloud storage to you, and to set up cloud storage appropriately. Detailed
instructions for registering
on the cloud server are provided in the Cloud preference panel (see above image), as well as in the section of this manual dealing with:
xref:S_Cloud_access[Keeping a Subsurface dive log in the cloud].
** _Save password locally_: This allows local storage of the cloud storage password. Note that this
information is saved in raw text form, not encoded in any way.
=== Network
This panel facilitates communication between _Subsurface_ and data sources on the Internet.
This is important, for instance, when _Subsurface_ needs to communicate with web
services such as Cloud storage, or when you want to communicate through a proxy.
image::images/Pref_network.jpg["FIGURE: Preferences Network page",align="center"]
_Proxy server_: A proxy server is a computer serving as a link between a user and the Internet. It
serves to protect the user from illegal access from users on the Internet to the desktop
computer of the user. Proxy servers are commonly used in a corporate environment. If a proxy server is used for Internet access, the type of proxy needs to be selected from the dropdown list,
after which the IP address of the host and the appropriate port number should
be provided. If the proxy server uses authentication, the appropriate userID and
password are required so that _Subsurface_ can automatically pass
through the proxy server to access the Internet. This information is usually obtained
from your ISP or your network technician.
=== Reset
image::images/Pref_reset.jpg["FIGURE: Preferences: Reset defaults",align="center"]
_Reset all preferences_: Selecting the button in this panel will clear all the preference settings
in _Subsurface_ and set them to default values. Since there are many settings, this is an action that is not lightly done, as it may take some time before all the preferences have been set to convenient values again. Resetting to default values also affects Internet and cloud access.
- This brings us to the end of the section dealing with _Subsurface_ Preferences.
[[S_DivePlanner]]
== The _Subsurface_ dive planner
Dive planning is an advanced feature of _Subsurface_, accessed by selecting
_Log -> Plan Dive_ from the main menu. It allows calculation of
inert gas load during a dive by using the Bühlmann ZH-L16 algorithm with the addition
of gradient factors as implemented by Erik Baker, or using the VPM-B model.
****
[icon="images/icons/warning2.png"]
[WARNING]
The _Subsurface_ dive planner IS EXPERIMENTAL
and assumes the user is already familiar with the _Subsurface_
user interface. It is explicitly used under the following conditions:
- The user is conversant with dive planning and has the necessary training to perform
dive planning.
- The user plans dives within his/her certification limits.
- Dive planning makes large assumptions about the characteristics of the _average person_
and cannot compensate for individual physiology or health or personal history or
life style characteristics.
- The safety of a dive plan depends heavily on the way in which the planner is used.
- The user is familiar with the user interface of _Subsurface_.
- A user who is not absolutely sure about any of the above requirements should not use
this feature.
****
=== The _Subsurface_ dive planner screen
Like the _Subsurface_ dive log, the planner screen is divided into several sections (see image below). The *setup*
parameters for a dive are entered into the sections on the left hand and bottom side of the screen.
They are: Available Gases, Rates, Planning, Gas Options and Notes.
At the top right hand is a green *design panel* on which the profile of the dive can be
manipulated directly by dragging and clicking as explained below. This feature makes the
_Subsurface_ dive planner unique in ease of use.
At the bottom right is a text panel with a heading of _Dive Plan Details_. This is where the details of
the dive plan are provided in a way that can easily be copied to other software. This is also where
any warning messages about the dive plan are printed.
image::images/PlannerWindow1.jpg["FIGURE: Dive planner startup window",align="center"]
=== Open circuit dives
- Towards the center bottom of the planner (circled in blue in the image above) is a dropdown list with three options. Select the appropriate one of these:
** Open Circuit (the default)
** CCR
** pSCR
- Choose the Open Circuit option.
- In the top left-hand area of the planning screen, be sure the constant dive parameters are
appropriate. These are: Start date and time of the intended dive, Atmospheric Pressure and Altitude
above sea level of the dive site. The atmospheric pressure can also be entered as an altitude
in meters, assuming a sea-level atmospheric pressure of 1.013 bar.
- In the table labelled _Available Gases_, add the information of the cylinders to be used
as well as the gas composition within that cylinder. This is done in a similar way as for
<<cylinder_definitions,providing cylinder data for dive logs>>. Choose the cylinder type by
double clicking the cylinder type and using the dropdown list, then specify the start
pressure of this cylinder. By leaving the oxygen concentration (O~2~%) field empty,
the cylinder is assumed to contain air. Otherwise enter the oxygen and/or helium
concentration in the boxes provided in this dialog. Add additional cylinders by using the
"+" icon to the top right-hand of the dialog.
- The _Available Gases_ table includes three gas depth fields, labelled:
** Deco switch at: the switch depth for deco gases. Unless overridden by the user, this will be
automatically calculated based on the Deco pO~2~ preference (default 1.6 bar)
** Bot. MOD: the gas Maximum Operating Depth (MOD) if it is used as a bottom mix. Automatically
calculated based on the Bottom pO~2~ preference (default 1.4 bar). Editing this field will modify the
O~2~% according to the depth set. Set to ''*'' to calculate the best O~2~% for the dive maximum depth.
** MND: the gas Maximum Narcotic Depth (MND). Automatically calculated based on the Best Mix END
preference (default 30m / 98 ft). Editing this field will modify the He% according to the depth set.
Set to ''*'' to calculate the best He% for the dive maximum depth. Depending on the checkbox, oxygen
is considered narcotic (the END is used) or not (the EAD is used).
- The profile of the planned dive can be created in two ways:
* Drag the waypoints
(the small white circles) on the existing dive profile to represent the dive. Additional
waypoints can be created by double-clicking the existing dive profile. Waypoints can be deleted
by right-clicking a particular waypoint and selecting the _delete_ item from the resulting
context menu.
* The most efficient way to create a dive profile is to enter the appropriate values into the table
marked _Dive planner points_. The first line of the table represents the duration and the final
depth of the descent from the surface. Subsequent segments describe the bottom phase of the dive.
The _CC setpoint_ column is only relevant for closed circuit divers.
The ascent is usually not specified because this is what the planner is supposed to calculate.
Add additional segments to the profile by selecting the "+" icon at the top right hand of the
table. Segments entered into the _Dive planner points_ table automatically appear in the *Dive
Profile* diagram.
==== Recreational dives
Recreational mode is intended for what most divers would call "recreational", "sports"or "nontechnical" dives,
remaining within no-deco limits (NDL).
It computes the maximum time a diver can stay at the current depth without needing mandatory decompression
stops and without using more than the existing gas (minus a reserve). The planner automatically takes
into account the nitrogen load incurred in previous dives. But conventional dive tables are also used in a
way that can take into account previous dives. Why use a dive planner for recreational dives? The subsurface
dive planner provides two significant advantages over the use of recreational dive tables for dive planning.
Firstly, using recreational dive tables, the maximum depth of each previous dive is taken into account. But
few dives are done at a constant depth corresponding to the maximum depth (i.e. a "square" dive profile). This means
dive tables overestimate the nitrogen load incurred during previous dives. The _Subsurface_
dive planner calculates nitrogen load according to the real dive profiles of all uploaded previous dives,
in a similar way as dive computers calculate nitrogen load during a dive. This means that the diver gets 'credit,'
in terms of nitrogen load, for not remaining at maximum depth during
previous dives, so a longer subsequent dive can be planned.
For the planner to work it's therefore crucial to log previous dives
in _Subsurface_ before doing dive planning.
Secondly, recreational dive tables are not designed to build additional safety features into a dive. NDL times
derived from dive tables often take divers close to the limit where decompression sickness (DCS) can arise. The
Subsurface dive planner allows a diver to build more safety features into a dive plan, preventing recreational
divers from getting close to the limits of getting a DCS hit. This is performed by specifying appropriate
gradient factors for a dive plan, as explained below.
To plan a dive, the appropriate settings need to be defined.
- Ensure the date and time is set to that of the intended dive. This allows calculation of
the nitrogen load incurred during previous dives.
- Immediately under the heading _Planning_ are two checkboxes _Recreational_ and _Safety Stop_.
Check these two boxes.
- Then define the cylinder size,
the gas mixture (air or % oxygen) and the working cylinder pressure in the top left-hand
section of the planner under _Available gases_.
- The planner calculates whether the specified cylinder contains enough air/gas to complete
the planned dive. In order for this to be accurate, under _Gas options_, specify an appropriate
surface air consumption (SAC) rate for _Bottom SAC_. Suitable values are between 15 l/min and 30 l/min,
with novice divers or difficult dives requiring SAC rates closer to 30l/min.
- Define the amount of gas the cylinder must have at the end of the bottom section of the
dive just before ascent. A value of 50 bar is often used. The reason for this reserve gas is to provide for the possible
need to bring a buddy to the surface using gas sharing. How much gas is used in
sharing depends on the depth of the ascent. This can be difficult to estimate, so most agencies assume a
fixed amount of gas, or actually of pressure e.g. 40 or 50 bar or 25% or 33% (rule of thirds). But _Subsurface_ can do better
because it knows about the ascent and that is why we add the amount of gas during the ascent.
- Define the depth of the dive by dragging the waypoints (white dots) on the dive profile or
(even better) defining the appropriate depths using the table under _Dive planner points_ as
described under the previous heading. If
this is a multilevel dive, set the appropriate dive depths to represent the dive plan by adding
waypoints to the dive profile or by adding appropriate dive planner points to the _Dive Planner Points_
table. _Subsurface_ will automatically extend the bottom section of the dive to the maximum
duration within the no-decompression limits (NDL).
- The ascent speed can be changed. The default ascent speeds are those considered safe for recreational
divers.
- To build additional safety into the dive plan (over and above those of recreational dive tables),
specify gradient factors less than 100% (_GFHigh_
and _GFLow_ under the _Planning_ heading in the planner). On the other hand, to
approximate the values in recreational dive tables, set the gradient factors to 100.
By reducing the values of GFHigh and GFLow to values below 100, one
can build more safety into a dive. Decreasing the values of the gradient factors below 100 will shorten the
duration of the dive. This is the price of a larger safety margin. Reasons for using gradient factors less than 100
may be the age of the diver, the health of a diver, or unusual conditions such as cold water or strong currents.
Realistic conservative values for the gradient factors are GFLow=40% and GFHigh=80%. This allows you to
create a custom dive plan, suited to yourself as well as the dive conditions.
Below is an image of a dive plan for a recreational dive at 30 meters with gradient factors of 100. Because the no-deco limit (NDL) is 22
minutes, there remains a significant amount of air in the cylinder at the end of the dive.
image::images/Planner_OC_rec1.jpg["FIGURE: A recreational dive plan: setup",align="center"]
The dive profile in the planner shows the maximum dive time within no-deco limits using the
Bühlmann ZH-L16 algorithm and the gas and depth settings specified as described above. The _Subsurface_ planner
allows rapid assessment of dive duration as a function of dive depth, given the nitrogen load incurred during previous dives. The
dive plan includes estimates of the amount of air/gas used, depending on the cylinder settings specified
under _Available gases_. If the start cylinder pressure is left blank, the dive duration shown is the
true no-deco limit (NDL) without taking into account gas used during the dive. If the surface above the dive profile is RED
it means that recreational dive limits are exceeded and either the dive duration or the dive depth needs to be reduced.
Below is the same dive plan as above, but with a safety stop and reduced gradient factors for
a larger safety margin.
image::images/Planner_OC_rec2.jpg["FIGURE: A recreational dive plan: gradient factors setup",align="center"]
==== Non-recreational open circuit dives, including decompression
Non-recreational dive planning involves exceeding the no-deco limits and/or using multiple breathing gases.
These dives are planned in three stages:
*a) Nitrogen management*: This is done by specifying the rates for descent and ascent,
as well as the deco model (GFLow, GFHigh or Conservatism level) under the headings _Rates_ and _Planning_
to the bottom left of the planning screen. Two deco models are supported the Bühlmann model and the VPM-B
model. Select one of the two models. When selecting the Bühlmann model, the gradient factors (GFHigh and GFLow
need to be specified. Initially, the GFHigh and GFLow values in the _Tech setup preferences_
panel of _Subsurface_ is used. If these are changed within the planner (see _Gas Options_ within
the planner), the new values are
used without changing the original values in the _Preferences_.
Gradient Factor settings strongly affect the calculated ceilings and their depths.
A very low GFLow value brings on decompression stops early during the dive.
** For more information about Gradient factors, see the section on xref:S_CCR_options[Gradient Factor Preference settings].
If the VPM-B model is selected, the Conservatism_level needs to be specified on a scale of 0 (least conservative) to 4 (most conservative).
This model tends to give deco stops at deeper levels than the Bühlmann model and often results in slightly shorter
dive durations than the Bühlmann model, albeit at the cost of higher tissue compartment pressures in the slow tissues.
When selecting one of these models, keep in mind they are NOT exact physiological models but
only mathematical models that appear to work in practice.
Please note as well that there is an intrinsic assumption of the VPM-B
model that off-gassing only happens during the ascent phase of the
dive (which is the part controlled by the planner). Thus it is
possible to get misleading results if you manually enter waypoints
well in the decompression phase of your dive. This is particularly
relevant when editing a dive read from disk in the planner since that
will have waypoints up to the surface. Thus for those dives, first
delete all waypoints during the ascent phase. This is most easily done by
holding the Ctrl- or Command-key while clicking on the trash can icon
next to the first ascent waypoint in the table on the left hand side.
For more information external to this manual see:
* link:http://www.tek-dive.com/portal/upload/M-Values.pdf[Understanding M-values by Erik Baker, _Immersed_ Vol. 3, No. 3.]
* link:http://www.rebreatherworld.com/general-and-new-to-rebreather-articles/5037-gradient-factors-for-dummies.html[Gradient factors for dummies, by Kevin Watts]
* link:https://www.amazon.com/Deco-Divers-Decompression-Theory-Physiology/dp/1905492073/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403932320&sr=1-1&keywords=deco+for+divers[_Deco for Divers_, by Mark Powell (2008). Aquapress] Southend-on-Sea, UK. ISBN 10: 1-905492-07-3.
An excellent non-technical review that discusses both the Bühlmann deco model and the VPM-B model.
The ascent rate is critical for nitrogen off-gassing at the end of the dive and is specified
for several depth ranges, using the mean depth as a yardstick. The mean depth
of the dive plan is shown by a light grey line on the dive profile. Ascent rates
at deeper levels are often in the range of 8-12 m/min, while ascent rates near the surface are
often in the range of 4-9 m/min. The descent rate is also specified. If the option _Drop to first depth_
is activated, the descent phase of the planned dive will be at the maximal descent rate specified
in the _Rates_ section of the dive setup.
*b) Oxygen management*: In the *Gas Options* part of the dive specification, the maximum partial
pressure for oxygen needs to be specified for the
bottom part of the dive (_bottom po2_) as well as for the decompression part of the dive (_deco po2_).
Commonly used values are 1.4 bar for the bottom part of the dive and 1.6 bar for any decompression
stages. Normally, a partial pressure of 1.6 bar is not exceeded. The depth at which switching to a gas
takes place can be edited in the
_Available Gases_ dialog. Normally, the planner decides on switching to a new gas when, during
ascent, the partial pressure of the new gas has decreased to 1.6 bar.
*c) Gas management*: With open-circuit dives this is a primary
consideration. Divers need to keep within the limits of the amount of
gas within the dive
cylinder(s), allowing for an appropriate margin for a safe return to the surface, possibly
sharing with a buddy. Under the _Gas Options_ heading, specify the best (but conservative) estimate
of your surface-equivalent air consumption (SAC, also termed RMV) in
liters/min (for the time being, only SI units are supported). Specify the SAC during the
bottom part of the dive (_bottom SAC_) as well as during the decompression or safety stops of the
dive (_deco SAC_). Values of 15-30 l/min are common. For good gas management, a guess
is not sufficient and you needs to
monitor gas consumption on a regular basis, dependent on different dive conditions and/or equipment.
The planner calculates the total volume of gas used during the dive and issues a warning
if you exceeds the total amount of gas available. Good practice demands that divers not dive to
the limit of the gas supply but that an appropriate reserve is kept
for unforeseen circumstances.
For technical diving, this reserve can be up to 66% of the total available gas.
In addition to calculating the total gas consumption for every cylinder the planner provides one way
of calculating the recommended volume of bottom gas which is needed for safe ascent to the
first deco gas change depth or the surface. This procedure is called the "minimum gas" or "rock bottom"
consideration and it is used by various (but not all)
technical diving organizations. See the text below for a detailed explanation.
Now you can start the detailed time-depth planning of the dive. _Subsurface_ offers an unique
graphical interface for doing planning. The mechanics are
similar to hand-entering a dive profile in the dive log part of _Subsurface_. Upon activating the
planner, a default dive of depth 15 m for 20 min is offered in the blue design surface in the top
right hand part of the planner window. The white dots (waypoints) on the
profile can be dragged with a mouse. Create more waypoints by double-clicking on the profile
line and ensuring the profile reflects the intended dive. Drag the waypoints to represent
the depth and duration of the dive. It is NOT necessary to specify the ascent part of the dive
since the planner calculates this, based on the existing settings.
If any of the management limits (for nitrogen, oxygen or gas) are exceeded, the surface
above the dive profile changes from BLUE to RED.
Each waypoint on the dive profile creates a _Dive Planner Point_ in the table on the
left of the dive planner panel. Ensure the _Used Gas_ value in each row
of that table corresponds to one of the gas mixtures specified in the _Available Gases_ table.
Add new waypoints until the main features of the dive have been completed, e.g. the
bottom time segment and deep stops (if these are implemented). In most cases _Subsurface_
computes additional way points in order to fulfill decompression requirements for that
dive. A waypoint can also be moved by selecting it and by using the arrow keys.
The waypoints listed in the _Dive Planner Points_ dialog can be edited by hand in
order to get a precise presentation of the dive plan. In fact, it is sometimes more easy to create the
whole dive profile by editing the _Dive Planner Points_ dialog.
Show any changes in gas cylinder used by indicating gas changes as explained
in the section <<S_CreateProfile,hand-creating a dive profile>>. These changes should
reflect the cylinders and gas compositions defined in the table with _Available Gases_.
If two or more gases are used, automatic gas switches will be planned during the ascent to
the surface.
Cylinders used for the plan need to be entered in the table of _Available gases_. In the column
_Type_ select the appropriate cylinder size by using the dropdown list that appears when
double-clicking a cell in this column. By default, a large number of sizes are listed,
and a new cylinder size can be created by typing this into the text box. The cylinder size, start pressure
and default switch depths are initialized automatically. Specify the gas composition
(e.g. helium and oxygen content). A non-zero value in the "CC setpoint" column of the table of dive planner points
indicates a valid setpoint for oxygen partial pressure and that the segment
is dived using a closed circuit rebreather (CCR). If the last manually entered
segment is a CCR segment, the decompression phase is computed assuming the diver
uses a CCR with the specified set-point. If the last segment (however
short) is on open circuit (OC, indicated by a zero set-point) the
decompression is computed in OC mode and the planner only considers gas
changes in OC mode.
Enter dive profile segments in the _Dive planner points_ table by providing a time duration for
a segment as well as its final depth. If more than one cylinder is used during the dive, ensure that
the appropriate cylinder is selected for each segment of the dive plan by double-clicking the
cell and selecting the appropriate cylinder from the dropdown list in the _Used gas_ column.
If required, insert a row in the _Dive planner points_ table by adding a new line and then setting the
_Run time_ value appropriately. In image A below, a segment (using an EAN50 cylinder) has been added and
you wish to use this gas during the very start of the dive (the other gas is not breathable at the surface).
Upon pressing Enter on the keyboard, that segment is moved to the top of that table and the plan is adjusted
automatically to take into account this new segment of the dive plan (image B below).
image::images/planner1.jpg["FIGURE: Planning a dive: segments",align="center"]
Below is an example of a dive plan to 55m using Tx20/30 and the Bühlmann algorithm,
followed by an ascent using EAN50 and using the settings as described above.
image::images/Planner_OC_deco.jpg["FIGURE: Planning a dive: setup",align="center"]
Once the above steps have been completed, save by clicking the _Save_ button
towards the top middle of the planner. The saved dive plan will appear
in the *Dive List* panel of _Subsurface_.
*The dive plan details*
On the bottom right panel of the dive planner, under _Dive Plan Details_, the details
of the dive plan are provided. These may be modified by checking any of the
options under the _Notes_ section of the dive planner, immediately to the left
of the _Dive Plan Details_. If a _Verbatim dive plan_
is requested, a detailed sentence-level explanation of the dive plan is given. If any
of the management specifications have been exceeded during the planning, a warning
message is printed underneath the dive plan information.
If the option _Display segment duration_ is checked, then the duration of each depth
level is indicated in the _Dive Plan Details_. This duration INCLUDES the transition
time to get to that level. However, if the _Display transition in deco_ option is checked,
the transitions are shown separately from the segment durations at a particular level.
*Dive plan variations*: The planner has a check box _Display plan variations_. By checking this box, the planner
provides information about a dive that is a little deeper or slightly
longer than the planned dive. This is found near the top of the _Dive plan details_
where the dive duration is indicated. The information is intended to be used if it is necessary to
modify the ascent "on the fly" in the case of unexpected deviations from the dive plan during the dive.
For example, if it says "Runtime: 123min, Stop times + 2:49 /m + 1:30 /min" this means: if you dive deeper
than planned, you should add almost 3 minutes per meter you go deeper to your decompression (and
you can subtract 3 minutes per meter that you stay shallower). If you overstay your bottom
time, you need to add one and a half minutes to the stops for each minutes you overstay
and similarly, you can shorten your deco time by one and a half minute for each minute
you stay shorter. These variations of depth and time are based on the last manually entered segment of the
dive (not necessarily the deepest). The additional minutes should be distributed
over the different stops in a way proportional to the stop length, i.e. add more of the
additional minutes to the longer, shallower stops. The given times refer to the
duration of the decompression phase and do not include the extended bottom time!
This way of altering dive plans becomes inaccurate for large deviations from the original
plan. So it should not be trusted for more than a few minutes or meters of
deviations from the planned bottom time. Checking this option creates a lot of additional computation,
to such a degree that the planner is slower than otherwise.
*Minimum gas requirements*: The planner also estimates the _minimum gas_ pressure
required for safe ascent after an event that causes the dive to be aborted. The
calculation assumes that in worst case an out of gas (OoG)
situation occurs at the end of the planned bottom time at maximum depth, requiring
additional time at maximum depth to solve the problem and forcing
the buddy pair the share the gas of one diver. In addition the combined SAC of both
divers is increased by an estimated factor compared to the SAC of a single diver under normal conditions.
The result of the minimum gas calculation for the bottom gas is printed to the planner output. There
are two selector boxes on the left of the _Dive plan details_:
* _SAC factor_. This is an estimate of the degree to which your SAC increases if a critical problem arises underwater,
e.g. gas sharing or entanglement. Realistic values range from 3 to 5, reflecting the gas use of two divers sharing
a single gas cylinder after an OoG situation.
* _Problem solving time_. This is an estimate of how long you would take to solve the problem before starting the ascent
to terminate the dive. The default value is 2 minutes.
Using the above information, the planner then estimates what the minimum bottom gas cylinder pressure needs to be for a
safe ascent. This information is given near the bottom of the _Dive plan details_, following the calculation of
bottom gas used during the dive if it exactly follows the plan. the minimum gas is typically given as:
Minimum gas (based on 2.0xSAC/+1min@81m): 2130 l/90bar/Δ:+80bar
This indicates:
* Within parentheses, the _SAC factor_ and _Problem solving time_ specified.
* The number of liters of back gas required for a safe ascent (2130 liters in the example above)
* The number of bars of back gas required for a safe ascent (90 bars in the example above).
* The delta-value: number of bars of back gas available at the end of the bottom section of the dive, _over and above_ the minimum
gas requirement (80 bars in the above example). A positive delta reflects a safe plan; a negative delta indicates insufficient gas for a
safe ascent.
No automatic checks are performed based on this result.
The feature only gives valid results for simple, rectangular shaped single
level dive profiles. For multi level dives one would need to check every leg of the profile independently.
*Isobaric counterdiffusion information*: For gas switches during the ascent in hypoxic open-circuit trimix dives information
about isobaric counterdiffusion (icd) is given near the bottom of the _Dive plan details_, based on the
rule-of-fifths (i.e. during a gas change, the increase in nitrogen partial pressure should not exceed
one fifth of the corresponding decrease in partial pressure of helium). For each gas change, two lines
are printed, indicating the changes in gas fractions (%) and the equivalent changes in partial pressures. If the
rule-of-fifths is not met, the relevant information is highlighted in red and a warning message appears
at the bottom of that table. The gas change events on the dive profile also provide information on icd,
visible at the bottom of the _Information box_ when the mouse hovers on the respective gas change icon. This information
is only shown for gas changes relevant with respect to icd. If the rule-of-fifths is not met,
a red warning exclamation mark is shown over the gas change icon. When relevant, the _Information box_ contains
information such as: ICD ΔHe:-13% ΔN₂+3%>2.6%. This means: for this gas change, the helium
decreased with 13% while the nitrogen increased with 3% which
is more than the 2.6% maximum increase in nitrogen suggested by the rule-of-fifths.
****
[icon="images/icons/warning2.png"]
[WARNING]
The *plan variations* and *minimum gas* estimates are only guidelines for a diver performing
dive planning, intended to enhance the safety of executing a particular dive plan and do not
replace formal contingency planning for a specific dive. They are NOT precise and should
NOT be relied upon as the only safety features in dive planning. Interpret these estimates
within the framework of your formal training to perform dive planning.
****
=== Planning pSCR dives
To plan a dive using a passive semi-closed rebreather (pSCR), select _pSCR_ rather than
_Open circuit_ in the dropdown list.
The parameters of the pSCR dive can be set by selecting _File -> Preferences -> Tech setup_
from the main menu, where the gas consumption calculation takes into account the pSCR dump
ratio (default 1:8) as well as the metabolic rate. Specify the bottom and deco SAC rates.
Here the SAC in the planner is the volume of gas per minute
that is exhaled into the loop on the surface, *not* the amount of gas that escapes into the water.
The calculation takes the oxygen drop
across the mouthpiece of the rebreather into account. If the
pO~2~ drops below what is considered safe, a warning appears in the _Dive plan
details_. A typical pSCR cylinder setup is very similar to an open circuit dive;
one or more dive cylinders, possibly with different bottom and decompression
gases, including gas switches during the dive like in open circuit diving.
Therefore, the setup of the _Available gases_ and the _Dive planner points_ tables
are very similar to that of a open circuit dive plan, described above. However, no oxygen setpoints
are specified for pSCR dives. Below is a dive plan for a pSCR dive. The dive is comparable
to that of the CCR dive below, but note the longer ascent duration due to the lower oxygen
in the loop due to the oxygen drop across the mouthpiece of the pSCR equipment.
image::images/Planner_pSCR.jpg["FIGURE: Planning a pSCR dive: setup",align="center"]
==== Planning for pSCR bailout
[icon="images/pscr_b1.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Open circuit diving is often part of a pSCR dive because, at shallow depths, the pO~2~ in the loop is often
too low for breathing and the shallow parts of a pSCR dive are often done on OC. The change
from rebreather mode to OC or _vice versa_ is indicated using bailout events. There are two ways to plan
bailout in rebreather dives: 1) Check the _Bailout_ checkbox in the _Dive mode_ section of the planner. In this
case, bailout requirements will be calculated starting at the last segment of the dive specified in the _Dive planner points_ table. 2) If
bailout takes place at another point in the dive (see example of cave dive below) then bailout is planned
by manipulating the *Dive mode* column of the *Dive planner points* table. The image on the
left shows a pSCR dive plan (using three cylinders) where the shallow parts of the dive are performed using EAN50 in
order to have a sufficient pO~2~. The bottom part of the dive is performed with EAN31 (Cyl. 2 in the
*Available gases* table, also indicated in the *Dive planner points* table). The third cylinder,
also EAN31, is a bailout cylinder which is, initially, not used.
In this case the plan is for a cave dive with a bottom time of 20 minutes
and the turning point in the bottom part of the dive is at 16 minutes (i.e. ten minutes
into the bottom part of the dive). The orange pO~2~ graph indicates the equivalent OC pO~2~ during
the dive and the green pO~2~ indicates the estimated pO~2~ in the loop, the
whole dive being performed in rebreather mode. We wish to plan
for a worst-case scenario with bailout at the turning point (i.e. the furthest point into
the cave). In the *Dive planner points* table, change the *Dive mode* of the last two segments
to *OC* (indicated in the left-hand image, labelled *A*, below). In this case the existing EAN31
cylinder (Cyl.2 in the *Dive planner points* table is used for bailout (i.e. the bailout
cylinder [Cyl. 3] has not been used yet). Note that the pO~2~ graph now indicates the appropriate
pO~2~ values, since the gas breathed now has the pO~2~ of an OC configuration. In order to switch
to the bailout cylinder (Cyl. 3), indicate this by selecting the appropriate cylinder in the *Dive planner points* table as
indicated in the image on the right, below (labelled *B*). The icon on the depth profile
now shows an overlapping bailout event with cylinder change. As in the graph on the left, the appropriate
pO~2~ values are shown in the pO~2~ graphs. The volumes of gas required can be obtained at the bottom of the
*Dive plan details* panel.
image::images/pscr_b2.jpg["FIGURE: Planning a pSCR dive: setup",align="center"]
In the case of a pSCR dive plan for open water, the worst-case scenario is probably bailout at the end of the deepest part of the dive
and this could be achieved using the _Bailout_ checkbox of the planner.
Alternatively create a 1-minute segment at the end of the deepest part of the dive plan. This
last segment (represented by the bottom row of the *Dive planner points* table) is then manipulated using the *Dive mode* and *Used gas*
columns, as in the cave example, above. See the example of bailout for a CCR dive, below, that uses this approach.
=== Planning CCR dives
To plan a dive using a closed circuit rebreather, select the _CCR_ option in the dropdown
list, circled in blue in the image below.
*Available gases*: In the _Available gases_ table, enter the cylinder information for the
diluent cylinder and for any bail-out cylinders. Do NOT enter the information for the oxygen
cylinder since it is implied when the _CCR_ dropdown selection is made.
*Entering setpoints*: Specify a default setpoint in the Preferences tab, by selecting _File -> Preferences -> Tech setup_ from
the main menu. All user-entered segments in the _Dive planner points_ table
use the default setpoint value. Then, different setpoints can be specified for dive segments
in the _Dive planner points_ table. A zero setpoint
means the diver bails out to open circuit mode for that segment. Decompression is always calculated
using the setpoint of the last manually entered segment. So, to plan a bail out ascent for a
CCR dive, add a one-minute dive segment to the end with a setpoint value of 0. The decompression
algorithm does not switch deco-gases automatically while in CCR mode (i.e. when a positive setpoint is specified) but
this is calculated for bail out ascents.
If you want the setpoint to change during the planned ascent at a specified depth, you can do this
using a "fake" cylinder that you add to the gas list: Give that cylinder a name of "SP 1.4" (or use
a different number) and set the "Deco switch value" to the depth at which you want to set the new
setpoint. This will make the planner stop at the specified depth and use the new setpoint from
there on.
The dive profile for a CCR dive may look something like the image below.
image::images/Planner_CCR.jpg["FIGURE: Planning a CCR dive: setup",align="center"]
Note that, in the _Dive plan details_, the gas consumption for a CCR segment is not calculated,
so gas consumptions of 0 liters are the norm.
==== Planning for CCR bailout
[icon="images/CCR_b1.jpg"]
[NOTE]
It is often necessary to plan for a worst-case bailout event in order to ensure sufficient bailout gas to reach the
surface, taking into account decompression. This is done by 1) checking the _Bailout_ checkbox of the dive planner
(bailout will be calculated starting at the last segment of the dive specified in the _Dive planner points_ table);
2) defining a 1-minute segment at the end of the bottom part
of the dive, as in the image on the left where a CCR dive to 40m for 21 minutes is planned;
3) changing to an OC-gas during any segment in the _Dive planner points_ table.
[icon="images/CCR_b2.jpg"]
[NOTE]
In the _Dive planner points
table_, change the _Dive mode_ of this 1-minute segment to _OC_. This signifies bailout. In this case there is bailout to
the existing diluent cylinder (assuming this cylinder has sufficient gas). The appropriate pO~2~ and cylinder pressure
graphs are shown in the dive profile, as in the image on the left. Note that the setpoint drops to zero after bailout, since
this value does not apply to breathed bailout gas.
[icon="images/CCR_b3.jpg"]
[NOTE]
In order to plan for bailout to an external bailout cylinder, change the _Used gas_ for the 1-minute segment to the
appropriate cylinder, as in the example on the left. Note that the cylinder change as well as the bailout are indicated with
overlapping icons.
The volumes of gases required for bailout can be found at the bottom of the *Dive plan details* panel.
[[S_Replan]]
=== Modifying an existing dive plan
Normally, when a dive plan has been saved, it is accessible from the *Dive List*, like any
other dive log. Within the *Dive List* there is no way to change a saved dive plan.
To change a dive plan, select it on the *Dive List*. Then, in the main menu,
select _Log -> Re-plan dive_. This will open the selected dive plan within the dive planner,
allowing changes to be made and saved as usual.
In addition, there is the option "Save new". This keeps the original
planned dive and adds a (possibly modified, - earlier dives are now taken into account -) copy to the dive list. If
that copy is saved with the same start time as the original, the two
dives are considered two versions of the same dive and do not
influence other each during decompression calculation (see next section).
=== Planning for repetitive dives
Repetitive dives can easily be planned if the dates and start times of the
repetitive dive set
are specified appropriately in the top left-hand _Start Time_ field. _Subsurface_
calculates the gas loading figures and the affect of the first dive is
evaluated on later dives.
If you have just completed a long/deep dive and are planning
another dive, then highlight, in the *Dive List*, the dive that has just been logged
then activate the planner. Depending on the start time of the planned dive,
the planner takes into account the gas loading during the completed dive
and plans accordingly.
If only a few standard configurations are used (e.g. in GUE), then a template dive can
be created conforming to one of the configurations. If you want to plan a dive using
this configuration, highlight the template dive in the *Dive List* and activate the
planner: the planner takes into account the configuration in the highlighted dive.
=== Printing the dive plan
Selecting the _Print_ button in the planner allows printing of the _Dive Plan Details_
for wet notes. You can also cut and paste the _Dive Plan Details_ to
include in a text file or word processing document.
However, after the plan has been saved, it is
represented in a way very similar to a dive log and the gas calculations cannot be
accessed in the same way as during the planning process. The only way to print the
dive plan is to use the _File -> Print_ function on the main menu in the
same way as for dive logs or by copy and paste to a word processor.
[[S_MergeDivePlan]]
=== Saving a dive with its dive plan
In the section dealing with <<S_MultipleDiveComputers, dives using more than one dive computer>>
we discussed the way in which multiple profiles for a single dive can be viewed using the
left-arrow and right-arrow keyboard keys. A similar method can be used for saving a dive plan
with the profile of the actual dive, once this has been uploaded into _Subsurface_.
In order to do this:
- Do the dive planning and save the final plan in the _Dive List_.
- After diving, upload the dive data from the dive computer.
- Change the date and time of the _dive plan_ to coincide with that of the
real-life dive from the _dive computer_.
- In the _Dive List_, highlight the dive plan as well as the data for the real dive
and merge the two dives, making use of the Dive List Context Menu
(available by right-clicking a dive).
The text version of the dive plan is appended to the Notes in the _Notes Tab_. With this
merged dive highlighted in the _Dive List_, switch
between the planned profile and the real-life profile using the right-arrow/left-arrow keyboard keys.
== Running _Subsurface_ from the command-line
_Subsurface_ can be launched from the command-line to set some specialized settings or as
part of an script-based automated process for manipulating a dive log. The format for launching _Subsurface_ from the
command-line is:
subsurface [options] [logfile ...] [--import logfile ...]
The options include:
|====================
|*Command-line option*|*Description*
|--help|Print a summary of the command-line options
| -h|Print a summary of the command-line options
|--import logfile ...|A file name before this option is treated as an existing dive log, everything after is imported into the existing dive log
|--verbose|Print debug information while running _Subsurface_
| -v|Print debug information while running _Subsurface_
| -v -v| Print even more debug information while running _Subsurface_
|--version|Prints the current version of _Subsurface_
|--user=<username>|Choose the xref:S_user_space[configuration space] of user <username>
|--cloud-timeout=<duration>|Set the timeout for cloud connection (0 < duration < 60). This enables longer timeouts for slow Internet connections
|====================
== Description of the Subsurface Main Menu items
This section describes the functions and operation of the items in the Main Menu
of Subsurface. Several of the items below are links to sections of this manual
dealing with the appropriate operations.
=== File
- <<S_NewLogbook,_New Logbook_>> - Close the currently open dive logbook and
clear all dive information.
- _Open logbook_ - Open the file manager to select a dive
logbook to open.
- _Save_ - Save the dive logbook currently open.
- _Save as_ - Save the current logbook under a different file name.
- _Open cloud storage_ - Open the dive log previously saved in <<S_Cloud_storage,_Cloud storage_>>.
- _Save to cloud storage_ - Save the current dive log to <<S_Cloud_storage,_Cloud storage_>>.
- _Cloud storage online_ - Switch between the online version of the logbook, and the locally stored one.
- _Close_ - Close the dive logbook currently open.
- <<S_ExportLog,_Export_>> - Export the currently open dive logbook (or
the selected dives in the logbook) to one of several formats.
- <<S_PrintDivelog,_Print_>> - Print the currently open logbook.
- <<S_Preferences,_Preferences_>> - Set the _Subsurface_ preferences.
- <<S_FindMovedImages, _Find moved media_>> - If photos/videos taken during dives have been moved to
a different disk or directory, locate them and link them to the appropriate dives.
- <<S_Configure,_Change settings on dive computer_>> - Edit the configuration of a dive computer.
- _Quit_ - Quit _Subsurface_.
=== Edit
- The Edit option allows one to undo or redo an action, e.g. deleting dives.
=== Import
- <<S_ImportDiveComputer,_Import from dive computer_>> - Import dive information
from a dive computer.
- <<Unified_import,_Import Log Files_>> - Import dive information from a file in
in a _Subsurface_-compatible format.
- _Import dive sites_: Import a XML dive site file that someone else shared with you.
- <<S_ImportingDivelogsDe,_Import from Divelogs.de_>> - Import dive information
from _www.Divelogs.de_.
=== Log
- <<S_EnterData,_Add Dive_>> - Manually add a new dive to the *Dive List* panel.
- <<S_DivePlanner,_Plan Dive_>> - Plan dives.
- <<S_Replan,_Edit dive in planner_>> - Edit a dive plan that has been saved into the *Dive List*.
- <<S_CopyComponents,_Copy dive components_>> - Copy information
from several fields of a dive log onto the clipboard.
- _Paste dive components_ - Paste, into the selected dives in the *Dive List*,
the information copied using the _Copy dive components_ option.
- <<S_Renumber,_Renumber_>> - Renumber the dives listed in the *Dive List*
panel.
- <<S_Group,_Auto Group_>> - Group the dives in the *Dive List* panel into dive
trips.
- <<S_DeviceNames,_Edit Device Names_>> - Edit the names of dive computers to coordinate your logs.
- <<S_Filter,_Filter divelist_>> - Select only some dives, based on specific tags or dive criteria.
=== View
- <<S_ViewPanels,_All_>> - View the four main _Subsurface_ panels
all at once.
- <<S_ViewPanels,_Dive List_>> - View only the *Dive List* panel.
- <<S_ViewPanels,_Profile_>> - View only the *Dive Profile* panel.
- <<S_ViewPanels,_Info_>> - View only the *Notes* panel.
- <<S_ViewPanels,_Map_>> - View only the *World Map* panel.
- <<S_Stats,_Dive statistics_>> - Use the statistics tool.
- _Yearly Statistics_ - Display summary statistics about dives during this and past
years.
- _Prev DC_ - Switch to data from previous dive computer, if a single dive was logged from more than one.
See the sections on <<S_MultipleDiveComputers,using multiple dive computers for the same dive>> and <<S_MergeDivePlan,
Saving an uploaded dive with its dive plan>>.
- _Next DC_ - Switch to next dive computer.
=== Help
- _About Subsurface_ - Show a panel with the version number of _Subsurface_ as
well as licensing information.
- _Check for updates_ - Find out whether a newer version of Subsurface is available
on the https://subsurface-divelog.org/[_Subsurface_ web site].
- _User manual_ - Open a window showing this user manual.
== APPENDIX A: Operating system specific information for importing dive information from a dive computer.
=== Make sure that the OS has the required drivers installed
[icon="images/icons/drivers.jpg"]
[NOTE]
The operating system of the desktop computer needs the appropriate drivers in
order to communicate with the dive computer, the way the dive
computer prefers (e.g. Bluetooth, USB, infra-red).
* On Linux users need to have the correct kernel
module loaded. Most distributions will do this automatically, so the
user does not need to load kernel modules. However, some communication
protocols require an additional driver, especially for rarely used
technology such as infra-red.
* On Windows, the OS should offer to download the correct
driver once the user connects the dive computer to the USB port and
operating system sees the equipment for the first time. In some instances this
seems to fail, but regardless, every USB device (with the exception of HID devices
like the Suunto EON Steel family) needs a driver. For many divecomputer this means
downloading a cable specific driver (these tend to be for example FTDI, Silicon Labs,
or Prolific drivers). In other cases (for example for dive computers with a "real" USB
interface like the Atomics Cobalt) it is sufficient to have the WinUSB (or the libusbK)
driver installed. In current Windows versions the WinUSB binary is already part of Windows
and the "driver" is a simple inf file that tell Windows to use the WinUSB driver. But it
still needs to be "installed". Often it is sufficient to install the dive log app that is
provided by the dive computer vendor to trigger the driver installation. But in cases
where that doesn't work, some googling to find the correct driver for a specific download
cable may be necessary.
* On a Mac users sometimes have to manually hunt for the correct
driver. For example the correct driver for the Mares Puck
devices or any other dive computer using a USB-to-serial interface
based on the Silicon Labs CP2101 or similar chip can be found as
_Mac_OSX_VCP_Driver.zip_ at the
https://www.silabs.com/support/pages/document-library.aspx?p=Interface&f=USB%20Bridges&pn=CP2101[Silicon Labs document and software repository].
[[S_HowFindDeviceName]]
=== How to Find the Device Name for USB devices and set its write permission
[icon="images/icons/usb.jpg"]
[NOTE]
When connecting a dive computer by using a USB connector, usually
_Subsurface_ will either propose a drop down list with the
correct device name or it will
disable the device select drop down if no device name is needed at
all. In the rare cases where this doesn't work, here are some
ways to find out what the device name is:
.On Windows:
Simply try COM1, COM2, etc. The drop down list should contain all connected COM
devices.
.On MacOS:
The drop down box should find all connected dive computers.
.On Linux:
There is a definitive way to find the port:
- Disconnect the USB cable from the dive computer
- Open a terminal
- Type the command: 'dmesg' and press enter
- Plug in the USB cable of the dive computer
- Type the command: 'dmesg' and press enter
A message similar to this one should appear:
usb 2-1.1: new full speed USB device number 14 using ehci_hcd
usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
USB Serial support registered for generic
usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
usbserial: USB Serial Driver core
USB Serial support registered for FTDI USB Serial Device
ftdi_sio 2-1.1:1.0: FTDI USB Serial Device converter detected
usb 2-1.1: Detected FT232BM
usb 2-1.1: Number of endpoints 2
usb 2-1.1: Endpoint 1 MaxPacketSize 64
usb 2-1.1: Endpoint 2 MaxPacketSize 64
usb 2-1.1: Setting MaxPacketSize 64
usb 2-1.1: FTDI USB Serial Device converter now attached to ttyUSB3
usbcore: registered new interface driver ftdi_sio
ftdi_sio: v1.6.0:USB FTDI Serial Converters Driver
The third line from the bottom shows that the FTDI USB adapter is
detected and connected to +ttyUSB3+. This information can now be used in
the import settings as +/dev/ttyUSB3+ which directs Subsurface to the correct
USB port.
Ensuring the user has write permission to the USB serial port:
On Unix-like operating systems the USB ports can only be accessed by users who
are members special group that can be e.g.
+dialout+ or +uucp+. This can be verified by listing the appropriate
device permissions e.g. by +ls -l /dev/ttyUSB0+. Note that the number in
the file name depends on how many USB devices you have connected, and
must be adjusted appropriately.
If you are not root, you may not be a member of
that group and
won't be able to use the USB port. Let us assume your username is 'johnB'.
- As root, type: +usermod -a -G dialout johnB+ (Ubuntu users: +sudo usermod
-a -G dialout johnB+)
This makes johnB a member of the +dialout+ group.
- Type: +id johnB+ This lists all the groups that johnB belongs to and
verifies that
the appropriate group membership has been created. The +dialout+ group should
be listed
among the different IDs.
- Under some circumstances this change takes only effect (e.g. on Ubuntu) after
you log out and then log in again.
With the appropriate device name (e.g. +dev/ttyUSB3+) and with write permission
to the USB
port, the dive computer interface can connect and you should be able to import
dives.
[[S_HowFindBluetoothDeviceName]]
=== Manually setting up Bluetooth enabled devices
[icon="images/icons/bluetooth.jpg"]
[NOTE]
For dive computers communicating through Bluetooth like the Heinrichs
Weikamp Frog or the Shearwater Predator, Petrel and Nerd there is a
different procedure to get the devices name to communicate with
_Subsurface_. Follow these steps:
* *For the dive computer, after enabling Bluetooth, be sure it is in Upload mode.*
For Bluetooth pairing of the dive computer, refer to the
manufacturer's user guide. When using a Shearwater Predator/Petrel/Nerd, select
_Dive Log -> Upload Log_ and wait for the _Wait PC_ message.
* *Pair the _Subsurface_ computer with the dive computer.*
==== On Windows:
Bluetooth is most likely already enabled. For pairing with the dive computer choose
_Control Panel -> Bluetooth Devices -> Add Wireless Device_.
This should bring up a dialog showing your dive computer (which should be in Bluetooth mode) and
allowing pairing. Right click on it and choose _Properties-> COM
Ports_ to identify the port used for your dive computer. If there are several
ports listed, use the one saying "Outgoing" instead of "Incoming".
For downloading to _Subsurface_, the _Subsurface_ drop-down list should contain
this COM port already. If not, enter it manually.
Note: If there are issues afterwards when downloading from the dive computer using
other software, remove the existing pairing with the dive computer.
==== On MacOS:
Click on the Bluetooth symbol in the menu bar and select _Set up
Bluetooth Device..._. The dive computer should then show up in the list of devices. Select it and go
through the pairing process. This step should only be needed once for
initial setup.
Once the pairing is complete, the correct device is shown in the
'Device or Mount Point' drop-down in the _Subsurface_ *Import* dialog.
==== On Linux
Be sure Bluetooth is enabled on the _Subsurface_ computer.
On most common distributions this should be true out of the box and
pairing should be straightforward. For instance, Gnome3 shows a
Bluetooth icon on the right of the toolbar at the top of the screen.
Users have reported difficulties with some Bluetooth controllers. If you have an onboard controller,
try that first. It is simplest if you remove any USB Bluetooth dongles. If you have a USB dongle that
came with your dive computer, try that before any others.
Setting up a connection to download dives from your Bluetooth-enabled device, such as the
_Shearwater Petrel_, is not yet an automated process and will generally require the command prompt.
It is essentially a three step process.
- Enable the Bluetooth controller and pair your dive computer
- Establish an RFCOMM connection
- Download the dives with Subsurface
Ensure the dive computer is in upload mode. On the _Shearwater Petrel_, _Petrel 2_ and _Nerd_
cycle through the menu, select 'Dive Log', then 'Upload Log'. The display will read 'Initializing', then
'Wait PC 3:00' and will countdown. Once the connection is established, the display reads 'Wait CMD ...'
and the countdown continues. When downloading the dive from Subsurface, the display reads 'Sending' then
'Sent Dive'.
To establish the connection, establish root access through +sudo+ or +su+.
The correct permission is required to download the dives in the computer. On most Linux systems this means becoming
a member of the dialout group (This is identical as for many dive computers using a Linux USB port, described
in the previous section). On the command terminal, enter:
+sudo usermod -a -G dialout username+
Then log out and log in for the change to take effect.
===== Enabling the Bluetooth controller and pairing your dive computer
Attempt to set up the Bluetooth controller and pair your dive computer using the graphical
environment of the operating system. After setting the dive computer to upload mode, click the Bluetooth icon in the system tray
and select 'Add new device'. The dive computer should appear. If asked for a password, enter 0000.
Write down or copy the MAC address of your dive computer - this needed later and should be in the form 00:11:22:33:44:55.
If the graphical method doesn't work, pair the device from the command line. Open a terminal
and use +hciconfig+ to check the Bluetooth controller status.
$ hciconfig
hci0: Type: BR/EDR Bus: USB
BD Address: 01:23:45:67:89:AB ACL MTU: 310:10 SCO MTU: 64:8
*DOWN*
RX bytes:504 acl:0 sco:0 events:22 errors:0
TX bytes:92 acl:0 sco:0 commands:21 errors:0
This indicates a Bluetooth controller with MAC address 01:23:45:67:89:AB, connected as hci0.
Its status is 'DOWN', i.e. not powered. Additional controllers will appear as hci1, etc.
If there is not a Bluetooth dongle plugged in upon booting the computer, hci0 is probably the onboard.
Now power on the controller and enable authentication:
sudo hciconfig hci0 up auth+ (enter password when prompted)
hciconfig
hci0: Type: BR/EDR Bus: USB
BD Address: 01:23:45:67:89:AB ACL MTU: 310:10 SCO MTU: 64:8
*UP RUNNING PSCAN AUTH*
RX bytes:1026 acl:0 sco:0 events:47 errors:0
TX bytes:449 acl:0 sco:0 commands:46 errors:0
Check that the status now includes '+UP+', '+RUNNING+' AND '+AUTH+'.
If there are multiple controllers running, it's easiest to turn off the unused controller(s). For example, for +hci1+:
sudo hciconfig hci1 down
Next step is to 'trust' and 'pair' the dive computer. On distros with Bluez 5, such as Fedora 22,
you can use a tool called +blutootctl+, which will bring up its own command prompt.
bluetoothctl
[NEW] Controller 01:23:45:67:89:AB localhost.localdomain [default]
[bluetooth]# agent on
Agent registered
[bluetooth]# default-agent
Default agent request successful
[bluetooth]# scan on <----now set your dive computer to upload mode
Discovery started
[CHG] Controller 01:23:45:67:89:AB Discovering: yes
[NEW] Device 00:11:22:33:44:55 Petrel
[bluetooth]# trust 00:11:22:33:44:55 <----you can use the tab key to autocomplete the MAC address
[CHG] Device 00:11:22:33:44:55 Trusted: yes
Changing 00:11:22:33:44:55 trust succeeded
[bluetooth]# pair 00:11:22:33:44:55
Attempting to pair with 00:11:22:33:44:55
[CHG] Device 00:11:22:33:44:55 Connected: yes
[CHG] Device 00:11:22:33:44:55 UUIDs: 00001101-0000-1000-8000-0089abc12345
[CHG] Device 00:11:22:33:44:55 Paired: yes
Pairing successful
[CHG] Device 00:11:22:33:44:55 Connected: no
If asked for a password, enter 0000. It's ok if the last line says 'Connected: no'. The important part
is the line above, +Pairing successful+.
If the system has Bluez version 4 (e.g. Ubuntu 12.04 through to 15.04), there is probably not a
+bluetoothctl+, but a script called +bluez-simple-agent+ or just +simple-agent+.
hcitool -i hci0 scanning
Scanning ...
00:11:22:33:44:55 Petrel
bluez-simple-agent hci0 00:11:22:33:44:55
Once the dive computer is paired, set up the RFCOMM connection.
===== Establishing the RFCOMM connection
The command to establish an RFCOMM connection is:
+sudo rfcomm -i <controller> connect <dev> <bdaddr> [channel]+
- +<controller>+ is the Bluetooth controller, +hci0+.
- +<dev>+ is the RFCOMM device file, +rfcomm0+
- +<bdaddr>+ is the dive computer's MAC address, +00:11:22:33:44:55+
- +[channel]+ is the dive computer's Bluetooth channel we need to connect to.
If you omit it, channel 1 is assumed. Based on a limited number of user reports,
the appropriate channel for the dive computer is probably:
- _Shearwater Petrel 1_: channel 1
- _Shearwater Petrel 2_: channel 5
- _Shearwater Nerd_: channel 5
- _Heinrichs-Weikamp OSTC Sport_: channel 1
E.g. to connect a _Shearwater Petrel 2_, set the dive computer to upload mode and enter:
sudo rfcomm -i hci0 connect rfcomm0 00:11:22:33:44:55 5 (enter a password, probably 0000, when prompted)
This gives the response:
Connected /dev/rfcomm0 to 00:11:22:33:44:55 on channel 5
Press CTRL-C for hangup
To connect a _Shearwater Petrel 1+ or + HW OSTC Sport+, set the dive computer to upload mode and enter:
sudo rfcomm -i hci0 connect rfcomm0 00:11:22:33:44:55 (enter a password, probably 0000, when prompted)
Connected /dev/rfcomm0 to 00:11:22:33:44:55 on channel 1
Press CTRL-C for hangup
If the specific channel the dive computer needs is not known, or the channel in the list above doesn't
work, the command +sdptool records+ should help determine the appropriate channel. The output
below is for a _Shearwater Petrel 2_.
sdptool -i hci0 records 00:11:22:33:44:55
Service Name: Serial Port
Service RecHandle: 0x10000
Service Class ID List:
"Serial Port" (0x1101)
Protocol Descriptor List:
"L2CAP" (0x0100)
"RFCOMM" (0x0003)
Channel: 5
For a Bluetooth dive computer not in the list above, or if the channel listed is not correct, please
let the Subsurface developers know on the user forum or the developer mailing list _subsurface@subsurface-divelog.org_.
===== Download the dives with Subsurface
After establishing the RFCOMM connection and while the dive computer's upload mode countdown is still running, go to_Subsurface_, select _Import->Import from dive computer_ and enter appropriate Vendor (e.g. _Shearwater_), Dive Computer (_Petrel_), Device or Mount Point (_/dev/rfcomm0_) and click _Download_.
[[_appendix_b_dive_computer_specific_information_for_importing_dive_information]]
== APPENDIX B: Dive Computer specific information for importing dive data.
[[S_ImportingGalileo]]
=== Importing from Uwatec Galileo
[icon="images/icons/Galileo.jpg"]
[NOTE]
The Uwatec Galileo dive computers use infra red (IrDA) communication
between the dive computer and Subsurface. The Uwatec hardware uses
a USB dongle based on the serial infra-red (SIR) protocol and the
MCS7780 IrDA controller manufactured by MosChip
and marketed by Scubapro and some electronics companies.
Under current Linux, the kernel
already provides for communication using the IrDA protocol. However,
the user additionally needs to load a driver for the IrDA interface
with the dive computer. The easiest way is to load the *irda-tools*
package from the http://irda.sourceforge.net/docs/startirda.html[Linux IrDA Project].
After the installation of the irda-tools, the *root user* can specify a device name
from the console as follows:
+irattach irda0+
After executing this command, Subsurface will recognize the Galileo
dive computer and download dive information.
Under Windows, a similar situation exists. Drivers for the MCS7780 are
available from some Internet web sites e.g.
http://www.drivers-download.com/Drv/MosChip/MCS7780/[www.drivers-download.com]. Windows-based IrDA
drivers for the Uwatec can also be downloaded from the ScubaPro web site, with drivers located on
the download page for the ScubaPro SmartTrak software.
For Windows, IrDA is not available for Windows 10 and higher.
For the Apple Mac, IrDA communication via the MCS7780 link is not
available for OSX 10.6 or higher.
In addition the IrDA stack has been phased out in Linux. This is old technology and, even though it is currently more robust, fast and efficient than many other technologies such as Bluetooth, it is not fashionable. If IrDA communication is required for an operating system that does not support it, an easy solution is to run Subsurface in a virtual machine (VM) that contains support for IrDA. A VM (e.g. VMWare or vitualbox) can be installed on most modern operating systems. The only hardware setup required is to route the USB port of the host OS through to the guest OS.
****
*My desktop computer does not provide for infra-red (IrDA) communication*
[icon="images/icons/important.png"]
[IMPORTANT]
Many of the new desktop operation systems (e.g. Windows 10, Linux kernel 4.17 and newer) do not provide support for IrDA-based communication. The underlying kernel drivers for IrDA
are not provided any more because IrDA is an old technology, not well-maintained any more, thus creating problems on new operating systems such as Windows or Linux. However, in this case, do not stop using your Galileo or other IrDA-dependent dive computer. A way to solve this problem is to create a virtual machine on your desktop with a guest operating system that still does support IrDA. Your existing desktop acts as a host, with the IrDA-supporting operating system running as a guest on your host desktop. This is not a
complex task but is best done with the help of an IT support person. Virtualization software can be found for all desktop operating systems. In the Microsoft environment, Hyper-V allows virtual machines, as does Parallels on the Apple Mac: however these are proprietary software. VMware is probably the most sophisticated virtualization software, running on all operating systems, but it is also proprietary. Within the open source environment, VirtualBox is available free of
charge for most current operation systems. Older, potential guest operating systems with IrDA support include Windows 8 and Linux Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (Linux kernel 4.15 or older). Creating a virtual machine allows, for instance, Windows 8 to be run as a guest on
your Windows 10 (or later) machine. After installing Subsurface on the Windows 8 guest operating system, its IrDA facilities can be used to access an IrDA dongle plugged into the USB port of your Windows 10 (or later) host machine, allowing dive computers dependent on IrDA to download dive data to the guest operating system (Windows 8 in this case). Host and guest can share directories, which facilitates dive log transfer between the two systems.
The downside of this solution is that the guest operating system needs to be started specially for the IrDA-based download from a dive computer. Install a scaled down version of the guest operating system to minimize its demands on the host system.
****
[[S_ImportingDR5]]
=== Importing from Heinrichs Weikamp DR5
[icon="images/icons/HW_DR5.jpg"]
[NOTE]
When mounted as a USB drive the Heinrichs Weikamp DR5 saves a single UDDF file
for every dive.
Mark all the dives you'd like to import or open.
Note: The DR5 does not seem to store gradient factors nor deco information, so
for _Subsurface_ it is not possible to display them. Adjust the gradient
factors in the _Profile Settings_ in _Subsurface_ to generate a deco overlay in the
_Subsurface_ *Dive Profile* panel but please note that the deco calculated by
_Subsurface_ will most likely differ from the one displayed on the DR5.
[[S_ImportingXDeep]]
=== Importing from xDEEP BLACK
[icon="images/icons/HW_xdeepblack.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Each dive has to be individually saved as UDDF file using "Export UDDF" option in BLACK's logbook menu.
When mounted as a USB drive UDDF files are available in LOGBOOK directory.
Note: The xDEEP BLACK saves NDL time but does not seem to store gradient factors nor deco information, so
for _Subsurface_ it is not possible to display them. Adjust the gradient
factors in the _Profile Settings_ in _Subsurface_ to generate a deco overlay in the
_Subsurface_ *Dive Profile* panel but please note that the deco calculated by
_Subsurface_ will most likely differ from the one displayed on the xDEEP BLACK.
=== Importing from Shearwater Predator/Petrel/Nerd using Bluetooth
[icon="images/icons/predator.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Specific instructions for downloading dives using Bluetooth are given in the section above, <<S_Bluetooth,_Connecting Subsurface to a Bluetooth-enabled dive computer_>>.
[[S_PoseidonMkVI]]
=== Importing from Poseidon MkVI Discovery
[icon="images/MkVI.jpeg"]
[NOTE]
Download of dive logs from the MkVI is performed using a custom communications
adapter and the _Poseidon PC Configuration Software_, obtained when purchasing
the MKVI equipment. The latter is a Windows application allowing configuration
of equipment and storage of dive logs. Communication between dive computer and
desktop computer utilizes the IrDA infra-red protocol. Only data for one dive
can be downloaded at a time, in three files:
- Setup configuration for the dive and key dive parameters (file with a .txt
extension)
- Dive log details (file with a .csv extension)
- Redbook format dive log (file with .cvsr extension). This is a compressed
version of the dive log using a proprietary format.
_Subsurface_ accesses the .txt and the .csv files to get dive log information.
=== Importing from APD Inspiration/Evolution CCR
[icon="images/APDComputer.jpg"]
[NOTE]
The dive logs of an APD Inspiration or similar CCR dive computer are downloaded using
a communications adapter and _AP Communicator_, obtained when
purchasing the equipment. The dive logs can be viewed using the _AP Log Viewer_,
within Windows or Mac/OS. However, APD logs can be viewed and managed from within
_Subsurface_ (together with dives using many other types of dive computer). The
APD inspiration dive logs are imported into _Subsurface_ as follows:
- Download the dive using _AP Communicator_.
- Open a dive within the _AP Log Viewer_.
- Select the tab at the top of the screen, entitled "_Data_".
- With the raw dive log data show on the screen, click on "_Copy to Clipboard_".
- Open a text editor, e.g. Notepad (Windows) or TextWrangler (Mac).
- Copy the contents of the clipboard into the text editor and save the text file
with a filename extension of _.apd_.
- Within _Subsurface_, select _Import -> Import log files_ to open the xref:Unified_import[universal import dialog].
- In the dropdown list towards the bottom right of the dialog (labelled 'Filter:'), select "APD log viewer".
- On the list of file names select the _.apd_ file created. An import
dialog opens showing the default settings for the data in the
_.apd_ file. If changes are required,
do this as for xref:S_ImportingCSVDives[CSV imports].
image::images/APD_CSVimportF22.jpg["Figure: APD log viewer import",align="center"]
- The top left hand dropdown box in the import panel lets you select the APD dive computer
for which the dive log needs to be imported. The default it is DC1, _i.e._ the
first of the two dive computers the APD uses. It is possible to sequentially
import the data for both dive computers by first importing CD1 and then DC2.(*Hint*: The logs
for the two dive computers are viewed by selecting _View -> Next DC_ from
the Main Menu after the uploading has been completed)
- Click the _Ok_ button at the bottom of the import panel.
The APD dive log will appear within _Subsurface_. The dive computer- generated ceiling
provided by the Inspiration can be viewed by selecting the appropriate
button on the left of the *Dive Profile*. Cylinder pressure data are not logged
by the APD equipment but can be manually entered in the _Equipment_ Tab.
== APPENDIX C: Exporting Dive log information from external dive log software.
The import of dive log data from external dive log software is mostly performed
using
the dialog found by selecting _Import_ from the Main Menu, then clicking on
_Import Log Files_. This is a single-step process, more information about which
can be found
xref:Unified_import[here.]
However, in some cases, a two-step process may be required:
1. Export the foreign dive log data to format that is accessible from
_Subsurface_.
2. Import the accessible dive log data into _Subsurface_.
This appendix provides some information about approaches to export dive log
data from foreign
dive log software. The procedures below mostly apply to Linux and/or Windows.
[[S_ImportingDivesSuunto]]
=== Exporting from *Suunto Divemanager (DM3, DM4 or DM5)*
[icon="images/icons/suuntologo.jpg"]
[NOTE]
DiveManager is a Windows application for Suunto dive computers.
Divemanager 3 (DM3) is an older version of the Suunto software. More recent
Suunto dive computers use Divemanager version 4 or 5 (DM4 or DM5). The
different versions of Divemanager use different methods and different file naming
conventions to export dive log data.
*Divemanager 3 (DM3):*
1. Start 'Suunto Divemanager 3' and log in with the name containing the logs
2. Do not start the import wizard to import dives from the dive computer.
3. In the navigation tree on the left side of the program-window, select the appropriate
dives.
4. Within the list of dives, select the dives you would like to import later:
* To select certain dives: hold 'ctrl' and click the dive
* To select all dives: Select the first dive, hold down shift and
select the last dive
5. With the dives marked, use the program menu _File -> Export_
6. The export pop-up will show. Within this pop-up, there is one field called 'Export Path'.
* Click the browse button next to the field Export Path
** A file-manager like window pops up
** Navigate to the directory for storing the
Divelog.SDE file
** Optionally change the name of the file for saving
** Click 'Save'
* Back in the Export pop-up, press the button 'Export'
7. The dives are now exported to the file Divelog.SDE.
*Divemanager 4 (DM4) and Divemanager 5 (DM5):*
DM4 and DM5 use identical mechanisms for exporting dive logs.
To export a divelog from Divemanager you need to locate the DM4/DM5 database
where the dives are stored. You can either look for the original
database or make a backup of the dives. Both methods are described here.
Locating the Suunto DM4 (or DM5) database:
1. Start Suunto DM4/DM5
2. Select 'Help -> About'
3. Click 'Copy' after text 'Copy log folder path to clipboard'
4. Open Windows Explorer
5. Paste the address to the path box at the top of the File Explorer
6. The database is called DM4.db or DM5.db
Making a backup copy of the Suunto DM4/DM5 database:
1. Start Suunto DM4/DM5
2. Select 'File - Create backup'
3. From the file menu select the location and name for the backup, we'll
use DM4 (or DM5) in here with the default extension .bak
4. Click 'Save'
5. The dives are now exported to the file DM4.bak (or DM5.bak)
=== Exporting from Atomic Logbook
[[Atomic_Export]]
[icon="images/icons/atomiclogo.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Atomic Logbook is Windows software by Atomic Aquatics. It allows
downloading of dive information from Cobalt and Cobalt 2 dive computers.
The divelog is kept in a SQLite database at
C:\ProgramData\AtomicsAquatics\Cobalt-Logbook\Cobalt.db. This file can
be directly imported to Subsurface.
=== Exporting from Mares Dive Organizer V2.1
[[Mares_Export]]
[icon="images/icons/mareslogo.jpg"]
[NOTE]
Mares Dive Organizer is a Windows application. The dive log is kept as a
Microsoft SQL Compact Edition database with a '.sdf' filename extension. The
database includes all Dive Organizer-registered divers on the particular
computer and all Mares dive computers used. The safest way to get a copy
of the dive database is to export the information to another compatible format
which can then be imported into _Subsurface_.
1. Within Dive Organizer, select
_Database -> Backup_ from the main menu and back up the database to the desk
top.
This creates a zipped file DiveOrganizerxxxxx.dbf.
2. Rename the file to
DiveOrganizerxxxxx.zip. Inside the zipped directory is a file
_DiveOrganizer.sdf_.
3. Extract the _.sdf_ file from the zipped folder to your Desktop.
4. The password for accessing the .zip file is _mares_.
[[S_ImportingDivingLog]]
=== Exporting from *DivingLog 5.0 and 6.0*
[icon="images/icons/divingloglogo.jpg"]
[NOTE]
The best way to bring your logs from DivingLog to Subsurface is to
convert the whole database. This is because other export formats do not
include all the details, and would lack, for example, gas switches and
information of what units are used. With database import, all this
information is included and readily available.
To transfer all files from DivingLog to Subsurface:
1. In DivingLog open the 'File -> Export -> SQLite' menu
2. Select 'Settings' button
3. Set the 'RTF2Plaintext' to 'true'
4. Close the Settings dialog
5. Click 'Export' button and select the filename
Once this is done, open the saved database file with Subsurface and the
dives are automatically converted to Subsurfaces own format. Last step to do is
save the log file in Subsurface.
== APPENDIX D: Exporting a spreadsheet to CSV format
[[S_Appendix_D]]
Many divers keep a dive log in some form of digital file, commonly a spreadsheet
with various fields of information. These logs can be easily imported into _Subsurface_ after the
spreadsheet is converted in a .CSV file.
This section explains the procedure to convert a diving logbook stored in a spreadsheet
to a .CSV file that will later be imported to _Subsurface_.
Creating a .CSV is straightforward, although the procedure is somewhat different
according to which spreadsheet program is used.
Organize the diving data in the spreadsheet, so the first row
contains the names (or titles) of each column and the information for each dive is stored in a single row.
_Subsurface_ supports many data items (Dive number, Date,
2017-03-06 12:27:39 +00:00
Time, Duration, Location, GPS, Max. Depth, Mean Depth, Buddy, Notes, Weight and Tags).
Organize dive data following a few simple rules:
1. Date: use one of the following formats: yyyy-mm-dd, dd.mm.yyyy, mm/dd/yyyy
2. Duration: the format should be minutes:seconds.
3. Unit system: only one unit system should be used (no mix of imperial and metric units)
4. Tags and buddies: values should be separated using a comma.
5. GPS position: use decimal degrees, e.g. 30.22496 30.821798
=== _LibreOffice Calc_ and _OpenOffice Calc_
These are open source spreadsheet applications forming parts of larger open source office suite applications. The user interaction with _LibreOffice_ and _OpenOffice_ is very similar.
In Libreoffice Calc the time format should be set to minutes:seconds - [mm]:ss and dates should be set to one of: yyyy-mm-dd, dd.mm.yyyy, mm/dd/yyyy. A typical dive log may look like this:
image::images/LOffice_spreadsheetdata.jpg["FIGURE: Spreadsheet data",align="center"]
To export the data as a .CSV file from within LibreOffice click _File -> Save As_. On the dialog that comes up, select the _Text CSV (.csv)_ as the file type and select the option _Edit filter settings_.
image::images/LOffice_save_as_options.jpg["FIGURE: Save as options",align="center"]
After selecting _Save_, select the appropriate field delimiter (choose _Tab_ to prevent conflicts with the comma when using this as a decimal point), then select _OK_.
image::images/LOffice_field_options.jpg["FIGURE: Field options",align="center"]
Double check the .CSV file by opening it with a text editor, and then import the dive data as explained on the section xref:S_ImportingCSVDives[Importing CSV dives].
=== Microsoft _Excel_
The field delimiter (called "_list separator_" in Microsoft manuals) is not accessible
from within _Excel_ and needs to be set through the _Microsoft Control Panel_. After changing the
separator character, all software on the Windows machine uses the new character as a separator.
You can change the character back to the default character by following the same procedure, outlined below.
- In Microsoft Windows, click the *Start* button, then select _Control Panel_ from the list on the right-hand side.
- Open the _Regional and Language Options_ dialog box.
- Do the following:
** In Windows 7, click the _Formats_ tab, and then click _Customize this format_.
- Type a new separator in the _List separator_ box. To use a TAB-delimited file, type the word TAB in the box.
- Click _OK_ twice.
Below is an image of the _Control Panel_:
image::images/Win_SaveCSV2.jpg["FIGURE: Win List separator",align="center"]
To export the dive log in CSV format:
With the dive log opened in _Excel_, select the round Windows button at the top left, then _Save As_.
image::images/Win_SaveCSV1.jpg["FIGURE: Excel save as option",align="center"]
Click on the left-hand part of the _Save as_ option, NOT on the arrow on the right-hand. This brings up a dialog for saving the
spreadsheet in an alternative format. From the dropdown list at the
bottom of the dialog, marked _Save as Type:_, select _CSV(Comma delimited) (*.CSV)_. Be sure the appropriate folder has been
selected to save the CSV file into.
image::images/Win_SaveCSV3.jpg["FIGURE: Excel save CSV dialog",align="center"]
Select the _Save_ button. The CSV-formatted file is saved into the
folder that was selected. You can double check the .CSV file by
opening it with a text editor, then import the dive data as
explained on the section xref:S_ImportingCSVDives[Importing CSV dives].
[[S_APPENDIX_E]]
== APPENDIX E: Writing a custom print template
_Subsurface_ has a way to create or modify templates for printing dive logs to
produce customized printouts of them. Templates written in HTML are rendered to the print device by _Subsurface_.
Templates are accessed using the print dialog (see image *B* below).
image::images/Print1_f22.jpg["FIGURE: Print dialog",align="center"]
The buttons under the _Template_ dropdown box lets you _Edit_, _Delete_,
_Import_ and _Export_ templates (see image *A* above). New or modified templates are stored as HTML
files in the same directory as the dive log being processed. In order to create or modify
a template, select one of the templates from the template dropdown list in the print dialog
(see image *B* above). Choose an existing template that resembles the final desired printout. Then select _Edit_.
The Edit Panel has three tabs:
image::images/Template1_f22.jpg["FIGURE: template edit dialog",align="center"]
1) The _Style_ tab (image *A* above) controls the font, line spacing and color template used for printing the dive log.
The style attributes are editable. Choose one of the four color palettes used for color printing.
2) The _Colors_ tab (image *B* above) allows editing the colors used for printing the dive log. The colors are highly
customizable: the _Edit_ buttons in the _Colors_ tab allows choosing arbitrary colors for different
components of the dive log printout.
3) The _Template_ tab of the Edit Panel (see image below) allows creating a template using HTML. The HTML of the
template can be edited and saved. The saved template is stored in the same directory as the dive being processed.
By default, a _Custom_ template is a skeleton with no specific print instructions. The information printed needs to
be specified and formatted in the template by replacing the section marked with:
"<!-- Template must be filled -->".
image::images/Template2_f22.jpg["FIGURE:Template tab",align="center"]
You can adapt any of the existing templates and save it to the dive log directory. The standard templates (e.g. One dive, Six dives,
Table) can be modified in this way. After completing the edits, use the _Export_ button in the print
dialog to save the new template using a new template name.
To write a custom template, the following elements must exist so the template will be correctly handled and rendered.
=== Main dive loop
_Subsurface_ exports a dive list called (*dives*) as well as a list of cylinders called (*cylinderObjects*) to the back end. It is
possible to iterate over the list as follows:
.template.html
....
{% for dive in dives %}
<h1> {{ dive.number }} </h1>
{% endfor %}
....
.output.html
....
<h1> 1 </h1>
<h1> 2 </h1>
<h1> 3 </h1>
....
=== Exported dive variables
Only a subset of the dive data is exported:
|====================
|*Name*|*Description*
|number| (*int*) dive number
|id| (*int*) unique dive ID, should be used to fetch the dive profile
|rating| (*int*) dive rating which ranges from 0 to 5
|visibility| (*int*) dive visibility which ranges from 0 to 5
|wavesize| (*int*) wave size during the dive which ranges from 0 to 5
|current| (*int*) current during the dive which ranges from 0 to 5
|surge| (*int*) surge during the dive which ranges from 0 to 5
|chill| (*int*) chill during the dive which ranges from 0 to 5
|date| (*string*) date of the dive
|time| (*string*) time of the dive
|location| (*string*) location of the dive
|gps| (*string*) GPS coordinates of the dive
|gps_decimal| (*string*) GPS coordinates of the dive in decimal format
|duration| (*string*) duration of the dive
|depth| (*string*) depth of the dive
|meandepth| (*string*) mean depth of the dive
|divemaster| (*string*) divemaster for the dive
|diveguide| (*string*) dive guide for the dive
|buddy| (*string*) buddy for the dive
|airTemp| (*string*) air temperature of the dive
|waterTemp| (*string*) water temperature of the dive
|notes| (*string*) dive notes
|tags| (*string*) list of dive tags for the dive
|gas| (*string*) list of gases used in the dive
|sac| (*string*) SAC value for the dive
|weights| (*string*) complete information of all used weight systems
|weight0-5| (*string*) information about a specific weight system
|suit| (*string*) the suit used for the dive
|cylinders| (*string*) complete information of all used cylinders
|cylinder0-7| (*string*) information about a specific cylinder
|maxcns| (*string*) maxCNS value for the dive
|otu| (*string*) OTU value for the dive
|sumWeight| (*string*) the summed weight of all used weight systems
|startPressure| (*string*) the start pressure
|endPressure| (*string*) the end pressure
|firstGas| (*string*) first used gas
|salinity| (*string*) the salinity of the water for the dive
|waterType| (*string*) the type of the water for the dive
|=====================
=== Exported cylinder object variables
Only a subset of the cylinder data is exported:
|====================
|*Name*|*Description*
|description| (*string*) cylinder description
|size| (*string*) cylinder size
|workingPressure| (*string*) cylinder working pressure
|startPressure| (*string*) start pressure of cylinder
|endPressure| (*string*) end pressure of cylinder
|gasMix| (*string*) gas mix of cylinder
|gasO2| (*int*) oxygen percentage of gas mix
|gasHe| (*int*) helium percentage of gas mix
|gasN2| (*int*) nitrogen percentage of gas mix
|=====================
Please note that some of the variables like 'notes' need to be extended with '|safe' to support HTML tags:
....
<p> {{ dive.notes|safe }} </p>
....
Otherwise tags like 'br' would not be converted to line breaks.
_Subsurface_ also exports *template_options* data. This data must be used as _CSS_ values to provide a dynamically
editable template. The exported data is shown in the following table:
|====================
|*Name*|*Description*
|font| (*string*) font family
|borderwidth| (*int*) border-width value dynamically calculated as 0.1% of the page width with minimum value of 1px
|font_size| (*double*) size of fonts in vw, ranges between 1.0 and 2.0
|line_spacing| (*double*) distance between text lines, ranges between 1.0 and 3.0
|color1| (*string*) background color
|color2| (*string*) primary table cell color
|color3| (*string*) secondary table cell color
|color4| (*string*) primary text color
|color5| (*string*) secondary text color
|color6| (*string*) border colors
|=====================
.template.html
....
border-width: {{ template_options.borderwidth }}px;
....
.output.html
....
border-width: 3px;
....
Another variable that _Subsurface_ exports is *print_options*. This variable contains a single member:
|=====================
|*Name*|*Description*
|grayscale | Use _CSS_ filters to convert the page into grayscale (should be added to body style to enable printing grayscale prints)
|=====================
.template.html
....
body {
{{ print_options.grayscale }};
}
....
.output.html
....
body {
-webkit-filter: grayscale(100%);
}
....
=== Defined CSS selectors
As the dive profile is placed after rendering, _Subsurface_ uses special _CSS_ selectors to search
in the HTML output. The _CSS_ selectors in the following table should be added.
|====================
|*Selector*|*Type*|*Description*
|dive_{{ dive.id }} | id | is used to fetch the relevant dive profile
|diveProfile | class | each dive that will contain a dive profile should have this class selector in addition to the dive_{{ dive.id }} id selector
|dontbreak | class | prevents the dive with this class from being divided into two pages. This can be used
in flow layout templates only (when data-numberofdives = 0)
|=====================
IMPORTANT: Rendering dive profiles is not supported for flow layout templates (when data-numberofdives = 0).
=== Special attributes
There are two ways of rendering- either rendering a specific number of dives in each page or make _Subsurface_ try to
fit as many dives as possible into one page (_flow_ rendering).
The *data-numberofdives* data attribute is added to the body tag to set the rendering mode.
- render 6 dives per page:
....
<body data-numberofdives = 6>
....
- render as much dives as possible:
....
<body data-numberofdives = 0>
....
IMPORTANT: All CSS units should be in relative lengths only, to support printing on any page size.
[[S_APPENDIX_F]]
== APPENDIX F: Setting up video thumbnails.
=== Setting up the appropriate thumbnails for videos that are associated with dives.
In handling video associated with dives, _Subsurface_ needs to create a thumbnail for each video that can be shown
either on the dive profile or in the _Media_ tab. By default this is a nonspecific placeholder thumbnail.
To see thumbnails that represent individual videos, _Subsurface_ uses an external program called _FFmpeg_.
To create thumbnails for videos, do two things:
1. Install _FFmpeg_ on the computer that runs _Subsurface_. The program can be downloaded from the FFmpeg web site:
https://www.ffmpeg.org/download.html. Most Linux distributions ship with an _ffmpeg_ package and therefore do not need an additional download.
** On Windows, put the _ffmpeg.exe_ file in the directory containing the _Subsurface_ executable.
On Mac and Linux, make sure the _ffmpeg_ command is in the path. This should be the case for
_FFmpeg_ installed from official packages.
2. In the _Media_ tab of the <<S_Preferences, _Preferences_>>, set the preferences for generating video thumbnails. This is achieved by:
** Checking the _Extract video thumbnails_ box. If _Subsurface_ fails to load the _FFmpeg_ executable,
this option will be turned off. Re-enable it after successfully installing _FFmpeg_.
** Specifying the path to the _FFmpeg_ executable.
** Choose the position in the video where _Subsurface_
should try to extract the thumbnail. The left-most and right-most positions of the _Extract at position_
slider signify the beginning and the end of the video, respectively. Note that if _Subsurface_ cannot
determine the length of the video (this can be the case for AVI files), the first frame
of the video will be used.
This should complete the setup of video thumbnails and they should now appear on the dive profile and in the _Media_ tab.
== APPENDIX G: FAQs.
[[S_APPENDIX_G]]
=== Cloud FAQ
==== After filling in the correct information and submitting it, I do not receive a PIN by email
1. Check *carefully* that there is not a spelling mistake in the email address you provided.
2. Check that the return email containing the PIN is not in the SPAM folder of your email client.
3. Wait for 24 hours and check again for an email with a PIN.
4. If there is still no email containing a PIN, send mail to in-app-support@subsurface-divelog.org
==== I want to access the Subsurface cloud facility but I have forgotten my password. How can I reset my password?
Open the following web address: https://cloud.subsurface-divelog.org/passwordreset
This will require that you enter the same email address that you used during cloud registration.
=== Subsurface appears to miscalculate gas consumption and SAC
[[SAC_CALCULATION]]
'Question': I dived with a 12.2 l tank, starting with 220 bar and ending with 100 bar, and I calculate a different SAC compared what _Subsurface_ calculates. Is _Subsurface_
miscalculating?
'Answer': Not really. What happens is that _Subsurface_ actually calculates gas
consumption differently - and better - than you expect.
In particular, it takes the incompressibility of the gas into account.
Traditionally, gas consumption and SAC should be:
+consumption = tank size x (start pressure - end pressure)+
and that's true for an ideal gas, and it's what you get taught in dive theory.
But an "ideal gas" doesn't actually exist, and real gases actually don't compress
linearly with pressure. Also, you are missing the fact that one atmosphere of
pressure isn't actually one bar.
So the *real* calculation is:
+consumption = (amount_of_air_at_beginning - amount_of_air_at_end)+
where the amount of air is *not* just "tank size times pressure in bar".
It's a combination of: "take compressibility into account" (which is a fairly
small issue under 220 bar - you'll see more differences when you do high-pressure
tanks with 300bar) and "convert bar to atm" (which is the majority of your discrepancy).
Remember: one ATM is ~1.013 bar, so without the compressibility, your gas use is:
+12.2*((220-100)/1.013)+
which is about 1445, not 1464. So there was 19 l too much in your simple
calculation that ignored the difference between 1 bar and one ATM.
The compressibility does show up above 200 bar, and takes that 1445 down
about eight liters more, so you really did use only about 1437 l of air at surface pressure.
So be happy: your SAC really is better than your calculations indicated.
Or be sad: your cylinder contains less air than you thought it did.
And as mentioned, the "contains less air than you thought it did" really
starts becoming much more noticeable at high pressure. A 400 bar really does not
contain twice as much air as a 200 bar one. At lower pressures, air acts pretty much like an ideal gas.
=== Some dive profiles have time discrepancies with the recorded samples from my dive computer...
_Subsurface_ ends up ignoring surface time for many things (average depth, divetime, SAC, etc).
'Question': Why do dive durations in my dive computer differ from that given by _Subsurface_?
'Answer': For example, if you end up doing a weight check (deep enough to trigger the "dive started")
but then come back up and wait five minutes for your buddies, your dive computer may say
that your dive is 50 minutes long - because you have fifty minutes worth of samples - but
subsurface will say it's 45 minutes - because you were actually diving for 45 minutes.
It's even more noticeable if you do things like guiding the initial OW dives, when
you may stay in the water for a long time, but spend most of it at the surface. And then
you don't want that to count as some kind of long dive”.
=== Some dive profiles are missing from the download
[[DC_HISTORY]]
'Question': I cannot download all my dives, only the most recent ones,
even though my dive computer's manual states that it records history of
e.g. 999 dives?
'Answer': Dive history is different than the dive profiles on the log.
The history only keeps track of the total number of dives and total
amount of time spent below surface. The logs, on the other hand, store
the dive profile, but they have a limited amount of memory to do so. The
exact amount of dive profiles that can be stored on the device depends on
sample interval and duration of the dives. Once the memory is full the
oldest dives get overwritten with new dives. Thus we are only able to
download the last 13, 30 or 199 dives.
If you have downloaded your dives to different dive logging software
before they were overwritten, there is a good chance that Subsurface can
import these. However, if the logs are only on your dive computer, they
cannot be salvaged after being overwritten by new dives.