What is the primary reason for using a dive computer?

The primary reason for using a dive computer is to track bottom time and no-decompression limits, which is essential for ensuring safe diving practices. A dive computer continuously monitors your time underwater and calculates the exposure to pressure and nitrogen absorption based on your depth, allowing you to avoid decompression sickness.

With a dive computer, you receive real-time data that can help you understand how much time you can safely spend at a given depth without needing to make decompression stops upon ascent. This capability provides divers with a clear understanding of their dive profiles and helps them to safely manage their underwater activities.

In contrast, while maximizing air consumption, reducing weight, and navigating are important aspects of diving, they do not directly address the critical safety concerns related to decompression. The dive computer specifically focuses on tracking dive-related metrics to help ensure a diver's safety during and after their dive.