What type of monitoring equipment can enhance safety during a dive?

Depth gauges are essential safety devices in diving because they provide real-time information about the diver's depth underwater. Monitoring depth is vital to avoid complications such as decompression sickness, which can occur if a diver ascends too quickly from greater depths. Depth gauges help divers maintain awareness of their current position within the water column, allowing them to adhere to safe diving practices, including understanding no-decompression limits and planning ascent rates.

Additionally, depth gauges often feature alerts for maximum depth limits, contributing to diver safety by preventing unintentional deep dives. They are a fundamental component of dive gear that directly enhances safety. While other equipment like dive watches and GPS devices can contribute to overall dive planning and tracking, depth gauges provide immediate and critical feedback about the dive environment, making them indispensable for safe underwater exploration.