Well, I like my computer. When I learned to dive, computers were in their infancy. We were told they existed, but that's about it. Now, they're almost as commonplace as BC's. The other week, we dove a wreck at 100 FSW. Tables allow for about 20 min dive. With my computer, I almost went into deco on the wreck, then came up and swam along the reef at about 30-40 FSW for another 35 min. Try that using the tables. I guess you could try "The Wheel" from PADI if you REALLY wanted to avoid a computer...
Are dive computers overkill for most recreational divers?
- Thread starter slackercruster
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Hey, I am a big fan of sticking with what works...here is the comp I dive....
Mares M2 Nitrox Computer reviews and discounts, Mares
Its a great deal for so many features and its simple to use. I dive a computer to avoid mistakes and it keeps my last 38 dives in its log book. Not to mention it will beep and flash if I am ascending or decending to quickly. Cheap insurance in my book.
Mares M2 Nitrox Computer reviews and discounts, Mares
Its a great deal for so many features and its simple to use. I dive a computer to avoid mistakes and it keeps my last 38 dives in its log book. Not to mention it will beep and flash if I am ascending or decending to quickly. Cheap insurance in my book.
OP
slackercruster
Contributor
Thanks for all the feedback.
"Your question sounds as if you believe dive computers are only for decompression diving."
Yep, that was what I thought.
Guess I was looking at it from my dive profiles. Can see your points. I am not interested in downloading any info for my logs. I don't do lots of multiple dives and pretty much stick with shallower dives and 2 dives at the most per day. And a lot of the time just 1 dive a day.
With me I generally use up my air before I get into a deco obligation. Or get bored and come up with 500 to 700 psi. (Although one DM in USVI scolded divers if they came up with more than 300 psi...if they are right under the boat!)
I ran into one guy that had 2 computers on a trip. He said one computer was off my 5% from the other. He didn't know which one to follow. That is what sparked my thoughts on this.
He was doing lots of multiple dives, 3 in a day, so from your replies I can see he needed a computer.
"Your question sounds as if you believe dive computers are only for decompression diving."
Yep, that was what I thought.
Guess I was looking at it from my dive profiles. Can see your points. I am not interested in downloading any info for my logs. I don't do lots of multiple dives and pretty much stick with shallower dives and 2 dives at the most per day. And a lot of the time just 1 dive a day.
With me I generally use up my air before I get into a deco obligation. Or get bored and come up with 500 to 700 psi. (Although one DM in USVI scolded divers if they came up with more than 300 psi...if they are right under the boat!)
I ran into one guy that had 2 computers on a trip. He said one computer was off my 5% from the other. He didn't know which one to follow. That is what sparked my thoughts on this.
He was doing lots of multiple dives, 3 in a day, so from your replies I can see he needed a computer.
qrpc
Contributor
I can see that for a compass. There is an old line that if you are out to sea, take one compass or three. Two computers don't create the same problem, just follow the more conservative one.
Blackwood
Contributor
Always?
Say you dive on air to a wreck at 100' for 25 minutes (I'm intentionally breaking most tables) and then ascend at 30FPM to 30 feet (in mid water: there is nothing to see here).
If one computer gives you a 15 minute stop at 30 feet and the other tells you you have 30 minutes of NDL (i.e. are free to get out of the water), are you really going to follow the more conservative one?
Deefstes
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Confucius say: "Man who wears watch always knows the time. Man who wears two never is sure".
That's of course the Confucius who had knowledge of small portable timepieces carried on the wrist, not the Confucius who spoke wisdom around 500 BC.
That's of course the Confucius who had knowledge of small portable timepieces carried on the wrist, not the Confucius who spoke wisdom around 500 BC.
I dive with two different models of computers and follow the slightly more conservative one most of the time (unless the computer inside my brain tells me different). Of course the primary reason for having two is the potential for computer or battery failure. I had my previous one go out on me totally unexpectedly on a 22 min deco stop.
Since we didn't use computers, BCDs, SPGs and the like when I started diving in 1961, I guess one could say none of them are absolutely necessary... but they sure make the dives easier and safer!
Since we didn't use computers, BCDs, SPGs and the like when I started diving in 1961, I guess one could say none of them are absolutely necessary... but they sure make the dives easier and safer!
Twistedarts
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yeah, and I'll leave all responsibilty for my safety with some DM..... Puh-leeeze. it is amazing how on these "resort" "follow the leader" dives how much faith is placed in some kid DM. NO THANK YOU!!! I could tell you stories of 15yo's dropping to 120'+ on air and me having to "bring them up/wake them up".
A computer is a tool just as the tables and your brain. If you think that some dive leader has taken into account the metrics for every sheep in his flock you are heading for disaster. Let me ask this, WHO is responsible for your dive/safety? Wouldn't you want as many tools as possible available to you to make sure you have a great time and come out alive and continue to dive?
just MNSHO.
Allenwrench, you ask a very good question.
For shallow dives (less than 60 feet) most people are going to run out of gas or get cold or bored before they go into deco.
For single deep dives, most people will be gas limited.
If you are diving off a resort boat and following a DM, the profiles will be planned to keep you "out of deco". However, if you don't use tables or a computer, you are delegating an important part of your dive planning to somebody else, and that's not what you were taught to do as a responsible diver.
Computers are most useful for people diving on their own, whether that's off a boat or off shore, and for folks doing multiple dives on sequential days.
For shallow dives (less than 60 feet) most people are going to run out of gas or get cold or bored before they go into deco.
For single deep dives, most people will be gas limited.
If you are diving off a resort boat and following a DM, the profiles will be planned to keep you "out of deco". However, if you don't use tables or a computer, you are delegating an important part of your dive planning to somebody else, and that's not what you were taught to do as a responsible diver.
Computers are most useful for people diving on their own, whether that's off a boat or off shore, and for folks doing multiple dives on sequential days.
qrpc
Contributor
Like they teach in law school, the answer to every question is some version of "it depends."
In a situation where you have genuine confusion over which computer to follow, (especially when diving within recreational limits) the more conservative one will more often than not be the safer choice. If you have more information you might decide differently. It's better to risk a trip to the chamber than trying to set a breath-hold record.Similar threads
