Dive Computer or Tables - which is safer for a newer diver?

[Lopez116]

If you really want to be hyper-conservative (most computers are pretty darn conservative already), you could always use a table on the boat to plan your next dive, while assuming you dived a square profile. The computer would then be a tool for making sure you stay within your planned dept and ascent rate.

In the end, it's your decisions on how to deal with the information tables or the computer give you that determines your conservatism.

Very good point.

---------- Post Merged at 01:48 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 01:45 PM ----------

Thanks for the recommendations. Quick question: I do not own my own reg. If I bought a computer and rented a reg, would the dive shop I rented at normally remove their SPG and plug mine into the first stage?

Is this something relatively common or is the shop going to give me some grief about it?

 

[James R]

Thanks for the recommendations. Quick question: I do not own my own reg. If I bought a computer and rented a reg, would the dive shop I rented at normally remove their SPG and plug mine into the first stage?

Is this something relatively common or is the shop going to give me some grief about it?

I would suggest that you buy a wrist computer vs a console so you don't have to worry about that.

 

[Tyger]

Very good point.

---------- Post Merged at 01:48 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 01:45 PM ----------

Thanks for the recommendations. Quick question: I do not own my own reg. If I bought a computer and rented a reg, would the dive shop I rented at normally remove their SPG and plug mine into the first stage?

Is this something relatively common or is the shop going to give me some grief about it?

Not if you get a wrist mounted computer. Most entry level computers don't actually detect gas pressure, even when they are in a console with your SPG.

Even if you do want to eventually get a console mounted computer, an entry level wrist mounted makes a good backup, so you can get that now while you're using rental regs, then get a console mounted computer to use as a primary down the road.

 

[fnfalman]

I knew many computers would allow for the user to set the level of conservativeness, but I didn't know they could be more conservative than the tables. Good to know.

Depends on the tables. A Bulhmann algorithm computer will be more conservative than a DSAT/PADI table, but it won't be more conservative than a Bulhmann table.

Computers are based on whatever algorithms the manufacturers wanted them to use. If you were to make a table from RGBM algorithm, your RGBM computer isn't going to be more conservative than that table.

---------- Post Merged at 02:14 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 02:12 PM ----------

Thanks for the recommendations. Quick question: I do not own my own reg. If I bought a computer and rented a reg, would the dive shop I rented at normally remove their SPG and plug mine into the first stage?

Is this something relatively common or is the shop going to give me some grief about it?

Ask yourself what does the above accomplish? Does it matter if you wear your computer on a wrist or mounted to a console? The only computer that is plugged into the first stage is an "air integrated" computer. And no, I doubt that your shop/renter would care if you were to plug it into their first stage. They may want to do it for you, but I doubt that they'd care.

 

[windapp]

Computers are not more accurate than tables. They are more precise.

 

[freewillie]

Very good point.

---------- Post Merged at 01:48 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 01:45 PM ----------

Thanks for the recommendations. Quick question: I do not own my own reg. If I bought a computer and rented a reg, would the dive shop I rented at normally remove their SPG and plug mine into the first stage?

Is this something relatively common or is the shop going to give me some grief about it?

Buy an entry level wrist mount. At an entry level you won't have Air Integration where the computer also registers the air pressure. Rental regs and consoles usually have a puck style computer. The rental computer can then be placed in a console with the SPG which actually measures the air pressure and the housing for the computer. You could actually take the computer out and put it in a wrist console. When I rent regs I clip the console to and area where I can see the SPG but don't worry about checking the computer. I then use my wrist mount computer to determine depth, time, etc. I've been using my own computer since I had two particularly annoying experiences with rental computers. It was cheaper than buying a set of regs.

 

[TMHeimer]

I admit to not having read another tables vs. computers thread. My personal advice for a new diver is of course what I did. Learn tables first and dive square profiles only with them. Then buy a computer and learn and use that also (especially on deep dives--that is, maybe below 40'). Or, learn them both at the same time and use both. Or, learn them both and also buy a backup computer and use 2 computers and no watch/table use. But knowing tables helps in that case anyway as a nice visual way to learn about no decompression limits.

 

[Lopez116]

Thanks all for your advice!

 

[gcbryan]

Ultimately you determine how conservative (and safe) you are regardless of whether you use a computer or tables. A computer is pretty convenient however.

Once you have your own gear you can eliminate the console and just have a spg in its place. The computer keeps track of your dives until you can log them. It remembers info you may not. So...it's convenient but not really any safer since being safe is more of a state of mind on your part anyway.

It's a lot more convenient to have time and depth info on your wrist than to have a separate depth gauge and timer or watch. Consoles get annoying quickly.

Regarding what computer to get, to me it's more about ease of use. Larger numbers,an uncluttered display, an intuitive interface and an easy to change battery are what I consider more than how liberal or conservative it is.

As was pointed out earlier (I think) you can make any computer more conservative by just ascending early.

 

[DiveNav]

Keep using the tables..... but, eventually, one day you WILL move to a dive computer (I suspect before you reach 100 dives).

Whatever brand/model you end up purchasing (and there are 100s of them), make sure you learn how to properly use it.

Alberto (aka eDiver)