Do I really need a computer?

[AcornMan]

It has been a long time since my last dive, and I did just fine using the PADI charts to plan my dives. For my upcoming trip to Cozumel, I'll be with diving with a shop affiliated with a dive resort. All the dives are pretty scripted, so technically I won't be "planning" anything. I'll be doing two dives each morning, and I may be doing a night dive. Do I really need a computer in those circumstances? Do people even go diving these days without one?

 

[Scuba Scott]

No, you don't need one.
No, most people don't dive without one.

Better check with the dive op to see if they require one. Some do.

 

[rongoodman]

I doubt the shop will let you dive without one. They probably offer them for rent, though.

 

[thbcthomas]

With the ability to pick up a computer for less than $200 brand new, and some dive ops requiring them, I would definitely get one. Even cheaper if you buy used.

 

[tursiops]

Yes, you can dive on tables but a computer will give you more bottom time with less worry. Yes, most people use them. Do NOT depend on a divemaster's profile; you need to be responsible for your own dive.

 

[stuartv]

There is plenty of diving in Cozumel that is deep enough that diving with a computer will very likely net you much more allowed bottom time than if you plan everything using tables.

Planning with tables is done using your maximum depth from each dive. So, planning with tables doesn't give you any off-gassing (or less on-gassing) credit for a dive where you (just for example) hit 90' for a minute, but then spent a lot of your time between 70 and 80 feet.

A computer counts your actual time at each depth that you're at. So, in the above example, a computer would let you stay down a fair bit longer on that dive. Or, you could stay down the same amount of time, but the computer would let you stay down longer on the next dive after your surface interval.

 

[Belzelbub]

Nobody needs a dive computer, but they do make things a lot nicer. If you do get a computer, you don't need to spend $1200 or more, but you could. Good reliable computers suitable for recreational diving on air or nitrox can be found for ~ $200.

I think it's a good idea for new divers (or those who may be rusty/haven't dove in a while) to use a computer. If you screw up and go deeper than planned, it's better to have the computer with you calculating what you can safely do rather than to find out on the boat that you should have done a small decompression stop. Plus, the computer will beep and warn you before you overstay.

 

[northernone]

First off, glad to hear you're diving again!

As stated, computers are nice with advantages but not needed and I do know numerous divers I've met in cozumel who dive without them.

 

[arew+4]

When I started diving, computers were exotic and pricy, and owning one as a recreational diver was hard to justify. With the prices and availability these days, and the additional safety they provide, it is hard to justify diving without one.

 

[UFOrb]

I've done over 40 dives without a computer as rec holiday diver (air only), being guided by the DM. Dives are usually ended when the first person starts becoming low on air (50bar) or after 60mins and dive centre schedules are generally conservative. But I've now bought one to avoid having to rely on the DM to give you the dive stats for your log book etc and, more importantly, I think its better to take responsibility for yourself if you want to progress as a diver, DCs are more accurate than tables & my computer (as do most modern DCs) does Nitrox, which I'll want to dive at some point (probably on my next trip).
So I guess it depends on how much diving you'll be doing in the future. You can certainly get away without buying one if you don't want to commit the cash right now.