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Apple Provides Deep Dive Into New Apple Watch Ultra Depth App

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Apr 12, 2001
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With the official launch of the Apple Watch Ultra looming, Apple has shared a support document on the new Depth app that's exclusive to the device. The Depth app is designed to be used for recreational diving, providing information on water temperature, current depth, maximum depth, and more. The Apple Watch Ultra can be used for dives up to 40 meters deep (130 feet).

depth-gauge-ultra-watch.jpg

Apple warns that the Depth app is not a dive computer and it cannot provide decompression stop information or gas analysis. In situations where failure of the Apple Watch Ultra could lead to death or personal injury, Apple suggests using a secondary depth gauge and timer. Apple further recommends that the Apple Watch Ultra only be used by trained divers following safety protocols and diving with a buddy.

The support document walks through how to use the Depth app, which can be set to auto launch whenever the Apple Watch Ultra is submerged in water that is one meter deep or more. When the Depth app launches, the Apple Watch Ultra will turn on Water Lock to prevent screen activation, and a session can be ended with a press and hold on the Digital Crown.

The Depth app will provide a consolidated dive summary at the end of a dive session, letting users know the length of the dive, the water temperature range, and maximum depth.

Apple has also provided a new support document that outlines everything the new Compass app can do, highlighting how to use the Backtrack and Waypoint features, plus there is information on the recommended temperature range for various Apple Watch Ultra activities.

Article Link: Apple Provides Deep Dive Into New Apple Watch Ultra Depth App
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/22/apple-depth-app-overview/
“Apple warns that the Depth app is not a dive computer and it cannot provide decompression stop information or gas analysis. In situations where failure of the Apple Watch Ultra could lead to death or personal injury, Apple suggests using a secondary depth gauge and timer. Apple further recommends that the Apple Watch Ultra only be used by trained divers following safety protocols and diving with a buddy.”

How stupid to put so much emphasis on this during the presentation only to then say it’s basically useless. 40 meters max, doesn’t do safety stops, etc. basically anything useful to a diver.

Also from the apple site:

“* Apple Watch Ultra has a water resistance rating of 100 meters under ISO standard 22810. It may be used for recreational scuba diving (with compatible third-party app from the App Store) to 40 meters and high-speed water sports. Apple Watch Ultra should not be used for diving below 40 meters.”

So below 40 feet trust us. 🙄
 
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Parikh12345 said:
“Apple warns that the Depth app is not a dive computer and it cannot provide decompression stop information or gas analysis. In situations where failure of the Apple Watch Ultra could lead to death or personal injury, Apple suggests using a secondary depth gauge and timer. Apple further recommends that the Apple Watch Ultra only be used by trained divers following safety protocols and diving with a buddy.”

How stupid to put so much emphasis on this during the presentation only to then say it’s basically useless. 40 meters max, doesn’t do safety stops, etc. basically anything useful to a diver.
Click to expand...
Can you send a text from 40 meters that you need help?


(wink)
 
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Parikh12345 said:
“Apple warns that the Depth app is not a dive computer and it cannot provide decompression stop information or gas analysis. In situations where failure of the Apple Watch Ultra could lead to death or personal injury, Apple suggests using a secondary depth gauge and timer. Apple further recommends that the Apple Watch Ultra only be used by trained divers following safety protocols and diving with a buddy.”

How stupid to put so much emphasis on this during the presentation only to then say it’s basically useless. 40 meters max, doesn’t do safety stops, etc. basically anything useful to a diver.

Also from the apple site:

“* Apple Watch Ultra has a water resistance rating of 100 meters under ISO standard 22810. It may be used for recreational scuba diving (with compatible third-party app from the App Store) to 40 meters and high-speed water sports. Apple Watch Ultra should not be used for diving below 40 meters.”

So below 40 feet trust us. 🙄
Click to expand...
Yeah, they were making a big deal about this replacing your dive computer, and now putting a fine print that it's not.
 
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Parikh12345 said:
“Apple warns that the Depth app is not a dive computer and it cannot provide decompression stop information or gas analysis. In situations where failure of the Apple Watch Ultra could lead to death or personal injury, Apple suggests using a secondary depth gauge and timer. Apple further recommends that the Apple Watch Ultra only be used by trained divers following safety protocols and diving with a buddy.”

How stupid to put so much emphasis on this during the presentation only to then say it’s basically useless. 40 meters max, doesn’t do safety stops, etc. basically anything useful to a diver.

Also from the apple site:

“* Apple Watch Ultra has a water resistance rating of 100 meters under ISO standard 22810. It may be used for recreational scuba diving (with compatible third-party app from the App Store) to 40 meters and high-speed water sports. Apple Watch Ultra should not be used for diving below 40 meters.”

So below 40 feet trust us. 🙄
Click to expand...

campingsk8er said:
So then what’s the point? If it’s not a dive computer, then really this is only useful for free divers.
Click to expand...

ian87w said:
Yeah, they were making a big deal about this replacing your dive computer, and now putting a fine print that it's not.
Click to expand...

thenahon said:
I'm almost certain the website used the term "dive computer" when describing the watch.
Click to expand...

I could be wrong, but I’m fairly certain the Depth app is the apple developed app, while the app they highlighted was co-developed by another company (Huish) and IS a dive computer. They are two separate things.
 
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So, it’ll launch below one meter. But can you manually launch at surface? No way I can dive, free or otherwise. Bad hip. But, will be doing physical therapy in a pool in the next few months. I absolutely don’t need the watch to do anything, but just thought it would be fun to get the measurements after a session - like time, distance, water temp, whatever. Again, sounds dumb, but just thought it’d be neat to track.
MacRumors said:
The support document walks through how to use the Depth app, which can be set to auto launch whenever the Apple Watch Ultra is submerged in water that is one meter deep or more. When the Depth app launches, the Apple Watch Ultra will turn on Water Lock to prevent screen activation, and a session can be ended with a press and hold on the Digital Crown.

The Depth app will provide a consolidated dive summary at the end of a dive session, letting users know the length of the dive, the water temperature range, and maximum depth.
Click to expand...
 
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Parikh12345 said:
“Apple warns that the Depth app is not a dive computer and it cannot provide decompression stop information or gas analysis. In situations where failure of the Apple Watch Ultra could lead to death or personal injury, Apple suggests using a secondary depth gauge and timer. Apple further recommends that the Apple Watch Ultra only be used by trained divers following safety protocols and diving with a buddy.”

How stupid to put so much emphasis on this during the presentation only to then say it’s basically useless. 40 meters max, doesn’t do safety stops, etc. basically anything useful to a diver.

Also from the apple site:

“* Apple Watch Ultra has a water resistance rating of 100 meters under ISO standard 22810. It may be used for recreational scuba diving (with compatible third-party app from the App Store) to 40 meters and high-speed water sports. Apple Watch Ultra should not be used for diving below 40 meters.”

So below 40 feet trust us. 🙄
Click to expand...


It's only useless as far as incompetent and irresponsible divers go.

When you learn to dive, you NEED to learn how to use a recreational dive table and actually plan a dive. Not just slap a computer on your wrist and rely on it do your work for you. Using this depth gauge as a dive watch without the Oceanic software wouldn't be wise.

As far as the 40 meter limit, most recreational divers don't go near that depth without being certified as a "deep diver" with more training. It's purely a waste of air at those depths and you will only get a few minutes bottom time.
 
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Steve686 said:
It's only useless as far as incompetent and irresponsible divers go.

When you learn to dive, you NEED to learn how to use a recreational dive table and actually plan a dive. Not just slap a computer on your wrist and rely on it do your work for you. Using this depth gauge as a dive watch without the Oceanic software wouldn't be wise.

As far as the 40 meter limit, most recreational divers don't go near that depth without being certified as a "deep diver" with more training. It's purely a waste of air at those depths and you will only get a few minutes bottom time.
Click to expand...
Let’s be real using dive tables is like using manual instruments on an airplane. It’s 2022. No one does that stuff unless it’s an extreme backup. Most divers, myself included, rarely go to physical dive tables (even though they are always on the boat).
 
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Parikh12345 said:
Let’s be real using dive tables is like using manual instruments on an airplane. It’s 2022. No one does that stuff unless it’s an extreme backup. Most divers, myself included, rarely go to physical dive tables (even though they are always on the boat).
Click to expand...

This is in direct reference to using the AWU as a computer in its current state.

Nothing to do with using other dive watches.
 
I'm a PADI Divemaster and also have done some basic technical diving training - and I while would not use this as my main dive computer I would love one to have as a back up and to use for example when I'm on holiday. Its basic functionality (once the proper app is available) is adequate for a wide range of recreational diving activities but crucially it is not intended for situations requiring deco stops and mixed gases - which is not recreational diving. In this respect is it more like the basic kinds of dive computers widely available and with the forthcoming app can be used with air or nitrox as long as a single gas is used throughout the dive. 40m is the limit for recreational diving with 18m & 30m the more usual limits depending upon training level. As for it being a watch - this is fine as divers will be familiar with using tables, a watch and a depth gauge to stay safely and conservatively within their limits. What is a bonus is this watch can be used for skiing, sailing or whatever unlike a basic dive computer which serves one activity only. (There are more expensive dive computers that can be worn as watches)

I reflect on the warnings from Apple and offer this sort of text is to be found in any manual for a dive computer as diving is a dangerous activity when not undertaken with suitable training and protocol.

Unfortunately I cant afford nor justify this watch at present but am excited about its release and the availability of wearable tech that supports undertaking adventure activities safely.
 
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Parikh12345 said:
“Apple warns that the Depth app is not a dive computer and it cannot provide decompression stop information or gas analysis. In situations where failure of the Apple Watch Ultra could lead to death or personal injury, Apple suggests using a secondary depth gauge and timer. Apple further recommends that the Apple Watch Ultra only be used by trained divers following safety protocols and diving with a buddy.”

How stupid to put so much emphasis on this during the presentation only to then say it’s basically useless. 40 meters max, doesn’t do safety stops, etc. basically anything useful to a diver.

Also from the apple site:

“* Apple Watch Ultra has a water resistance rating of 100 meters under ISO standard 22810. It may be used for recreational scuba diving (with compatible third-party app from the App Store) to 40 meters and high-speed water sports. Apple Watch Ultra should not be used for diving below 40 meters.”

So below 40 feet trust us. 🙄
Click to expand...

You beat me to it. My first reaction was ”wait a minute wait a minute, Apple specifically called it a dive computer like five times. They had a whole segment on how it’s a dive computer.”

They also carefully said “recreational” scuba diving. I don’t know for sure but I’m betting that it’s not actually certified for real scuba diving. Anything below the depth of a snorkel that would actually require a dive certification and therefore legal ramifications, they don’t want to claim.
 
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iBungie said:
I'm a PADI Divemaster and also have done some basic technical diving training - and I while would not use this as my main dive computer I would love one to have as a back up and to use for example when I'm on holiday. Its basic functionality is adequate for a wide range of recreational diving activities but crucially it is not intended for situations requiring deco stops and mixed gases - which is not recreational diving. In this respect is it more like the basic kinds of dive computers widely available. 40m is the limit for recreational diving with 18m & 30m the more usual limits depending upon training level. As for it being a watch - this is fine as divers will be familiar with using tables, a watch and a depth gauge to stay safely and conservatively within their limits. What is a bonus is this watch can be used for skiing, sailing or whatever unlike a basic dive computer which serves one activity only. (There are more expensive dive computers that can be worn as watches)

I reflect on the warnings from Apple and offer this sort of text is to be found in any manual for a dive computer as diving is a dangerous activity when not undertaken with suitable training and protocol.

Unfortunately I cant afford nor justify this watch at present but am excited about its release and the availability of wearable tech that supports undertaking adventure activities safely.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the knowledgeable input. This is what I had guessed. That explains why 40m is the limit, and their subsequent retraction / clarification.
 
CarAnalogy said:
Thank you for the knowledgeable input. This is what I had guessed. That explains why 40m is the limit, and their subsequent retraction / clarification.
Click to expand...
This is not a retraction. This entire article is about the Depth App, NOT the Oceanic+ app which DOES provide decompression stop information as well as gas analysis. See here:

www.oceanicworldwide.com

Oceanic Plus - Oceanic Worldwide

www.oceanicworldwide.com www.oceanicworldwide.com
 
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CarAnalogy said:
You beat me to it. My first reaction was ”wait a minute wait a minute, Apple specifically called it a dive computer like five times. They had a whole segment on how it’s a dive computer.”

They also carefully said “recreational” scuba diving. I don’t know for sure but I’m betting that it’s not actually certified for real scuba diving. Anything below the depth of a snorkel that would actually require a dive certification and therefore legal ramifications, they don’t want to claim.
Click to expand...
The term "recreation scuba diving" is a widely understood category of diving limited by maximum depth according to training level and does not involve decompression stops. It also refers to the breathing gas used - typically compressed air but also Nitrox (enriched air up to say 36% oxygen) if additional training is undertaken. the Term "real Scuba diving' by comparison is meaningless. As for snorkelling it is possible to duck dive and go down several metres on breath hold. As stated in my other post diving equipment typically carries such warnings as it is a dangerous activity unless carried out with proper training and protocol including having equipment regularly serviced.
 
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