Computer vs tables

[RS]

Why not calculate multiple dives from the tables with 0:00 surface interval? Tables don't give you credit for ascents anyway; bottom time is only down and at depth. Can anybody confirm this as correct?

Huh? Gotta keep track of the nitrogen.

 

[David Watson]

Just out of curiosity, how is doing 5 minute mental calculations considered more accurate than a computer?

What Lynne is saying is not that it is more accurate to use mental calculations than a computer for depth averaging. That is definitely not the case. What she is saying is that as a DIR diver it is important to use your head instead of simply relying on a computer to tell you what to do. Being aware of your surroundings, depth, and time of a dive are very important tools in every type of diving including recreational. All of your equipment can malfunction at any time, but your brain is the only thing you have complete control of.

David

 

[nereas]

... as a DIR diver it is important to use your head instead of simply relying on a computer to tell you what to do...

David

I believe I would be more comfortable relying on a dive computer.

 

[David Watson]

I believe I would be more comfortable relying on a dive computer.

That's too bad, I'd rather be a thinking diver.

 

[nereas]

... "bakers dozen" on computers is that most computers do not handle staged decompression dives well ...

There are few if any dive computers that are designed to handle stage decompression well. I know of only two, (1) the Nitek HE and (2) the VR3.

Any good tech diver is going to plan his/her dives with V-Planner on their laptop, and then use this to confirm the output from the HE or the VR3 for stage decompression.

Anyone else should be sticking to NDLs. And then their computers should not have any problems.

Seriously.

 

[nereas]

And there's nothing wrong with that. That is your personal opinion. The OP asked about DIR divers and why they use tables and other deco procedures, not about your personal opinion.

So how long have you lived in Lost Angeles? It sounds like it is getting to you.

 

[TSandM]

As David says, it's not more accurate to do it yourself. It's probably less accurate, especially if you lose attention and lose track. Which is why I used my computer for a long time before I began to trust myself. You don't do it yourself because it's more accurate. You do it yourself because it FORCES you to pay close attention to your dive.

My new computer, the Aladin Tec 2g, will plan a decompression schedule for me, using two gases. But I don't know what model it's using, and I don't know what profile it will generate. So, if I ever do mandatory decompression diving, I will use a tool I understand, whether that's a deco program I can tweak and adjust beforehand, or something like Ratio Deco that I can use beforehand and adjust as needed in the water.

I don't want anything I don't understand telling me how I should best complete my dive.

 

[RS]

I think the liquivision does too.

And I'm strictly NDL.

 

[David Watson]

There are few if any dive computers that are designed to handle stage decompression well. I know of only two, (1) the Nitek HE and (2) the VR3.

Any good tech diver is going to plan his/her dives with V-Planner on their laptop, and then use this to confirm the output from the HE or the VR3 for stage decompression.

Anyone else should be sticking to NDLs. And then their computers should not have any problems.

Seriously.

it's not about your computer having a problem or not. It's about being aware of what's going on during your dive. You seem a little experienced to be telling divers to rely solely on their computers.

David

 

[RS]

david and LCF make a good point. it's about using your brain, first and foremost.

I'm just learning to do this...