Shearwater Research SWIFT Wireless AI Transmitter

The Shearwater Research Swift is the next generation of smart air-integrated wireless tank-pressure transmitters. The Swift allows divers to carry multiple transmitters reliably. The collision avoidance protocol allows for multiple transmitters (four or more) to be used at the same time with a lower likelihood of dropped communications. The Swift is designed and built in Canada for demanding divers of all proficiency levels.

Two (or more) dive computers may be programmed to receive the same transmitter(s). Thus your instructor, divemaster or dive buddy can also your gas consumption if they're using a compatible dive computer.

The Shearwater Research SWIFT tank pressure wireless transmitter is compatible† with the current firmware release of those specific models of Shearwater Research brand dive computers that support hoseless air integration. This includes the Shearwater Perdix AI, Teric and NERD 2 model dive computers, but does NOT include the Shearwater NERD 1, Petrel, Peregrine or Perdix without the AI designation. A key feature of the SWIFT is an active interference avoidance system that allows multiple transmitters to work together.

The transmitter is oxygen compatible, rated for depth up to 200 metres (650 ft), and has a user-replaceable and widely available CR2 photo battery. The battery life is approximately 300 dive hours or five years of storage. The Shearwater brand dive computers will display a low battery warning that indicates the transmitter number approximately 20 hours before the transmitter battery needs to be replaced. Each transmitter has its own unique ID and up to four transmitters can be linked to compatible Shearwater model dive computers. Shearwater has determined that as many as twenty SWIFT transmitters can operate in proximity to each other without signal interference.

The transmitter screws into a high-pressure (HP) port of the first stage regulator mounted on the cylinder to be monitored. An antenna inside the dive computer receives the signals when it is positioned within 1.8 metres (72 in | 6 ft) of the transmitter and within a zone parallel or at a 45-degree angle to the transmitter. Best reception is achieved when the dive computer and transmitter are within 0.9 metre (3 ft) of each other. During a dive you may at times move the dive computer so that is out of the signal pattern of the transmitter, resulting in a temporary interruption of the link. The link may also be interrupted if the dive computer is within 0.9 metre (3 ft) of a running DPV or after a strobe light flashes. The link will be restored within 5 seconds after the dive computer is reoriented, moved back into range, or the RF noise clears.

The Scuba Doctor recommends that the Shearwater Research Swift Transmitter be mounted on the end of a 15 cm (6 in) high-pressure hose, rather than screwed directly into a 1st stage regulator high-pressure port. For technical diving, The Scuba Doctor recommends following the best practice of also including a standard analog SPG on the regulator as a backup.

In rare cases, the body of some first stage regulator designs will have hose ports oriented such there is no room to accept a wireless tank pressure transmitter without interfering with hose routing. The solution is to use a standoff adapter, or some divers prefer to use a short 15 cm (6 inch) HP hose pigtail (do not forget the required Air Spool) in place of the standoff.

Please note: The Shearwater Research SWIFT transmitter is backwards compatible with all pre-existing Shearwater air-integrated computers (when updated with the current firmware release), and likely to work with those specific models of Aqualung, Aeris, Hollis, Oceanic, Sherwood, and Tusa brand dive computers that also support hoseless air integration with transmitters having the same FCC ID = MH-8A number. However, compatibility with other brands of dive computers is not guaranteed and neither Shearwater nor The Scuba Doctor is able to provide support for connectivity to other brands of dive computers. The SWIFT transmitter is NOT compatible with Garmin brand dive computers.

Shearwater Research SWIFT Transmitter Features

• Compatible with Shearwater Perdix AI, Teric, and NERD2 computers
• Wireless transmission of cylinder pressure to your computer
• Robust signal interference avoidance system
• LED Status Indicator #8212; Flashes when a transmission is sent and if an interfering signal is detected
• Rated for depth up to 200 metres (650 ft)
• Powerful & Small — Onl 76 mm x 34 mm in size
• Easy 'No Tools' Installation & Removal — Does not require tools to install and remove from divers first stage
• User Replaceable Battery — Uses 3V CR2 Lithium battery
• Designed and built in Canada

Technical Specifications

About Gas Time Remaining (GTR) Calculations

Some dive computers have the ability to monitor a sensor that allows them to provide a digital display of the gas pressure in the dive cylinder. This feature is often referred to as 'air integration' (AI) but since nearly all modern dive computers are capable of handling a variety of breathing gases the term air is a misnomer. A few of the AI computers go a step further and use the tank pressure to calculate an estimate of the breathing gas time remaining (GTR). There are a variety of different methods and formulas for GTR calculations but they all share limitations such that, for specific divers and specific dives, the GTR displayed by your computer can be wildly inaccurate.

Just to be clear, the accuracy of the GTR is not a limitation of the computer or the transmitter but because there are simply too many unknowns to make the GTR anything other than a gross approximation. Beyond the obvious factors such as environment, depth variations in a multi-level dive profile, ascent rates, and stop times; the divers gas consumption rate will vary greatly depending on changes in equipment configuration and exertion. For this reason, GTR estimates are meaningless on most technical dives, and even some deeper sport dives, particularly if hunting.

Another factor that can affect the GTR depends on the algorithm used for making the estimate. Some methods require the diver to know and enter an RMV consumption rate along with the volume of gas available (i.e. 'tank size'). Other methods use an observed SAC rate to develop a prediction based on consumption history. Computers that calculate GTR based on observed SAC rate history are user friendly and less prone to configuration error but are particularly problematic when the diver uses different capacity cylinders on different dives.

While the GTR can be useful in warning inexperienced sport divers when gas consumption is abnormally high, The Scuba Doctor does not recommend relying upon dive computer GTR estimates to control or extend the dive time. Never allow the computer GTR estimate to become part of your dive plan, always closely monitor your actual tank pressure.

Shearwater Swift Manuals

Download/read the Shearwater Swift Operating Instruction Manual (PDF)

Download/read the Shearwater Swift Brochure (PDF).

Warranty Information:
This product has a limited warranty of two (2) years.

Note: This item cannot be delivered outside of Australia.

(09/22 HSW$)