Sharing a Dive Computer

[oddible]

New diver here, my wife and I are just finishing up our PADI OW and have scheduled a trip to Belize - we're also just getting started on our equipment purchases. We just bought a Suunto Gekko dive computer that we're hoping we can share to start out. Since we will be doing all of our diving together I suspect that while not ideal that this isn't too big a problem. Any things to be wary of or to take into account when sharing a computer with your dive partner? I plan to be conservative on the numbers to ensure there are absolutely no issues.

 

[rstofer]

The answer to sharing a computer is absolutely NO from every agency and every manufacturer. So, you are on your own if you decide to try it.

You can use the search feature - this was just beat to death a couple of days ago. But the answer is still no.

Richard

 

[NCadiver]

You should rent a second computer from your local Dive Center or your vacation spot.

You can use your table for this one of you is at 59ft and the other is at 61ft what is your NDL for those depths?

 

[Doubler]

Bad Idea, NEVER share a dive computer. While you may think you stay at the same exact depth, you don't, while you think you descend or ascend at the same exact rate, you don't. Dive computers are personal equipment not a shared item.

 

[ptyx]

As you say, it isn't ideal.

Make sure that whoever hasn't the computer is always above the other or at the same depth during the dive.
Try to be at the exact same depth during ascents.
Buy another computer as soon as you can afford

Some potential issues to be aware of are:

• defective computer, and you have no way to realize it
• diver without the computer going below the other and accumulating more nitrogen
• diver without the computer doing some kind of safety violation (rapid ascent...), not caught by the computer, and therefore not accounted for on next dives
• buddy separation means trouble - getting a safe slow ascent without any kind of depth gauge can be hard if you trained to use your computer
• in case of accident, your insurance company might give you grief as, as others have said, it is against most agencies recommendations
• probably others

You can mitigate most of those by diving very conservatively and maintaining relative profiles...but is it worth it?

 

[Scubagolf]

Recent post with many, many responses on basically the same issue.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...302322-one-dive-computer-enough-4-divers.html

 

[fisheater]

Reread your PADI OW book. Sharing computers is a no-no. It's even the basis of one of the questions on the final exam.

 

[Mike Boswell]

I have to agree the answer is no.

My wife and I have identical Suunto Cobra computers and we stay close together, but our computers often have different opinions about our dive. Small differences in depths or ascent rates can add up to large differences over the course of a dive.

Better to rent a second computer.

 

[Protist]

No. Rent until you can afford to buy. How ever, you can share it in the lines of she gets to use the reg setup with the computer one dive, and the next dive you take the setup. That way you can both get used to using the computer and see if you like the computer or not. Why buy the same one twice if one of you dont like it.

 

[diver 85]

The answer to sharing a computer is absolutely NO from every agency and every manufacturer. So, you are on your own if you decide to try it.

You can use the search feature - this was just beat to death a couple of days ago. But the answer is still no.

Richard

What he said--------------To the OP:...for a few bucks, you can rent one..???possibly even borrow one from somewhere/body/or the dive shop you're diving with....