MSW in scuba diving stands for metre (or meter) sea water, a metric unit used to measure pressure, especially underwater. According to our reference material, one msw is defined as one tenth of a bar.
Understanding Metre Sea Water (msw)
Essentially, msw helps divers easily understand the pressure exerted by the water column above them. Let's delve deeper:
- Definition: 1 msw = 0.1 bar.
- Usage: It's a practical unit for calculating depth and pressure changes during a dive.
Why Use MSW?
Using msw simplifies pressure calculations for divers:
- It relates directly to the depth in meters.
- It provides an easy-to-understand metric for pressure changes.
MSW in Context
Here’s how msw translates into practical scenarios:
| Depth (meters) | Pressure (msw) | Pressure (bar) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 1 (Atmospheric) |
| 10 | 10 | 2 |
| 20 | 20 | 3 |
| 30 | 30 | 4 |
Example: At a depth of 10 meters, the pressure is 10 msw, which equates to 2 bar (1 bar from the atmosphere + 1 bar from the water).
