Problem: The dive computer that I have been diving with had me surfacing before and longer safety stops than my group.
First:
Safety stops are optional, so you aren't constrained to surface separate to your group. When provided by a computer (any computer) these are generally arbitrary and typically 3min between 3-6m.
Some computers will provide "
mandatory"
safety stops if your diving has been haphazard enough to warrant a more critical precautionary stop in shallow water. These can vary in duration, but are always quite short. If you ignore them (
which you can), you will get penalized on subsequent repetitive dives. The answer: don't dive in a haphazard manner, especially in regards to ascent rate.
Other than that, you'd be talking about Deco Stops. That shouldn't be on the table, given your stated training level and knowledge (i
.e. what you're asking on this thread).
Solution: Get a dive computer that can match the algorithm of my dive partners at a affordable price for myself and my son.
Relative algorithms:
Mares Puck: Wienke-Modified RGBM
Scubapro Galileo Sol: Adaptive BuhlmannZH-L8 ADT
Liquivision Lynx: Buhlmann ZH-L16C-GF (
optional RGBM upgrade)
Cressi Leonardo: Wienke-Modified RGBM (9 tissue)
*with Buhlmann derived algorithms, the numerical (after "ZHL-") describes the number of theoretical tissue compartments used.
You will find this to be an interesting article:
A sense of algorithm - Divernet
Brands that will closely match my friends dive computer??? (Galileo Sol)
Here's your choice (
reference/source):
As of 2009, the newest dive computers on the market use:
Liquivision X1: V-Planner Live: VPM-B Varying Permeability Model and GAP for X1: Bühlmann GF (Buhlman with Gradient Factors)
Mares: Mares-Wienke Reduced Gradient Bubble Model
Pelagic Pressure Systems: modified Haldanean/DSAT Database or Bühlmann ZHL-16C(called Z+)
Seiko: Bühlmann ZHL-12 + Randy Bohrer
Suunto: Suunto-Wienke Reduced Gradient Bubble Model
Uwatec (Scubapro): Bühlmann ZH-L8 /ADT (Adaptive), MB (Micro Bubble), PMG (Predictive Multigas), Bühlmann ZHL-16DD (Trimix)
Heinrichs Weikamp OSTC and DR5: Bühlmann ZHL-16 and Bühlmann ZHL-16 plus Erick Baker's Gradient Factors deep stop algorithm both for open circuit and fixed set point closed circuit rebreather.
As of 2012:
Cochran EMC-20H: 20-tissue Haldanean model.
Cochran VVAL-18: nine-tissue Haldanean model with exponential ongasing and linear offgasing.
Delta P: 16-tissue Haldanean model with VGM (variable gradient model, i.e., the tolerated supersaturation levels change during the dive as a function of the profile, but no details are provided as to how this is done).
Mares: 10-tissue Haldanean model with RGBM; what the RGBM part of the model does is not described in detail anywhere and is not available to the public.
Suunto: nine-tissue Haldanean model with RGBM; what the RGBM part of the model does is not described in detail anywhere and is not available to the public.
Uwatec: eight-tissue Haldanean model.
---------- Post added October 16th, 2013 at 05:27 PM ----------
Look at the diving software program called 'V-Planner'....30 day free trial.....You won't need another computer, just a wrist slate........
The latest iteration of 'V-Planner'; 'Multi-deco' (available same site) is even better - algorithm options.