Sharing a Dive Computer

[The Chairman]

Well add nauseum is certainly a suitable sentiment. Feel free to justify poor ideas all you like. Know for sure I will point them out every time you do. Have a great day.

We know, we know... the Scuba Sky is falling and we will all surely die. Still no substantive reasoning as to WHY you think we will surely die. But please, the continued hysteria only makes me look good!

 

[NCadiver]

Netdoc and your buddies who gave you thanks are you going to accept full liability for encouraging new divers to share a dive computer.


Mattboy The dive (Masters/Instructors) have already created a multilevel profile before the dive for those dives how do not have computer, check out the dive briefing. And most dive (Masters/Instructors) use an old scuba pro unit and most of those units were more conservative then dive tables.

And once again don't encourage bad dive habits, they can rent or borrow a second computer (I know he bought a second one) or go off of tables.

 

[turbine]

This thread is ridiculous.

To the O.P.
Two divers with one computer is NOT good practice. I'm sure you learned that in your OW class.


Good luck with diving, its extremely addictive and have a SAFE vacation.

 

[halocline]

Mattboy The dive (Masters/Instructors) have already created a multilevel profile before the dive for those dives how do not have computer, check out the dive briefing. And most dive (Masters/Instructors) use an old scuba pro unit and most of those units were more conservative then dive tables.

And once again don't encourage bad dive habits, they can rent or borrow a second computer (I know he bought a second one) or go off of tables.

Sure, the DMs plan the profile, but any decent diver could do exactly that and his/her buddy could simply follow it. As far as the computers they use, I certainly would not assume most are using a specific brand, and it doesn't matter anyway. There is not one shred of evidence that conservative dive computers are safer than liberal ones in recreational diving.

I'm not sure if you were accusing me of encouraging bad dive habits, if so that would be a first!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Any new diver or for that matter any diver who trusts a DM to plan their dives regardless of the profile is a fool or needs more training. I would also ream any student of mine who shared a computer. They will be better off using analog gauges and tables. Bad habits that begin early are the ones that are hardest to break and the sign of students who did not pay attention, an instructor who failed to get the lesson across, or a combination of both. You have to wonder what other issues were ignored, not addressed, or glossed over.

 

[wetjed]

Being newbies and diving Bleize, your DM and air consumption are going to limit your dives way before your 'puter says NDL. You'll be lucky to reach the table limits. Stick together, follow the leader, save your pennies, then buy a 'puter. My $.02 worth. Your mileage may vary.

Peace,
Jed

 

[Herk_Man]

Curious answers though uniform. In fact, the PADI book says you don't need a dive computer at all - so the imperative that I'm hearing in this thread that one MUST dive with a dive computer is a bit odd. I could certainly use dive tables and RDP and identify my maximum depth before I go and ensure that we never cross that line and come up well before the NDL. The computer is a convenience that has become a standard (which is why we bought one at all) that allows people to stay down longer because of higher precision while achieving additional safetly due to warnings and alerts (the warnings and alerts may be the most important feature here particularly in ascent).

So basically what I'm hearing in this thread is NEVER, EVER dive without a computer?

They are not saying that. They are saying not to share. And, funny timing on this, PADI just changed their course to be computer only. Dive tables are out now.

This is not to say you both have to have a computer. It's just that if one of you doesn't have one, that person needs to dive off of tables. Unless you literally strap yourselves together for the entire dive (another thread entirely) you will not have the same dive profile, no matter how hard you try, and that one computer will be inaccurate for the person not wearing it.

Rent one, borrow one, or use tables for the other person.

 

[Herk_Man]

OK ok ok. Please stop, I'm really unhappy with the rising tension in this thread.

I now have a Suunto Gekko and a Oceanic Veo 250. It was indicated that this is a problem because they use different algorithms. I was aware of the different algorithms which is why I got a LESS conservative computer as a second computer rather than a more conservative computer - whether I have 2 Suuntos or 1 Suunto and 1 Oceanic I'm going to be diving by the Suunto's algorithm either way so I'm not sure why this is an issue - most certainly better than the 2nd person diving off tables. I live in Vancouver so I was recommended the Suunto for local diving where I'll be doing most of my dives, perhaps when I have the extra cash I'll buy 2 of each so we can use the Suuntos locally and the Oceanics in the tropics.

Oddible. You are going to be just fine. I agree with you, the manic state that has developed is really quite stupid. It is no different than two solo divers at two different dive sites with two different computers. As long as both divers honor the computer that is on their own wrist, they are both going to be alive when it is all said and done. Go have fun!

 

[Herk_Man]

Netdoc and your buddies who gave you thanks are you going to accept full liability for encouraging new divers to share a dive computer.


Mattboy The dive (Masters/Instructors) have already created a multilevel profile before the dive for those dives how do not have computer, check out the dive briefing. And most dive (Masters/Instructors) use an old scuba pro unit and most of those units were more conservative then dive tables.

And once again don't encourage bad dive habits, they can rent or borrow a second computer (I know he bought a second one) or go off of tables.

At first I thought about asking that very thing. But if he is making those statements based on the course material of a recognized scuba curriculum, I think he's pretty safe.

 

[Stu S.]

"Share a computer" was common when only a lucky few had computers. Drift diving at West Palm Beach was a popular application of the technique. The bottom was at 60 feet, and the reef was at 50, so nobody had particularly different profiles. NetDoc knows the area I mention here. No harm came of the practice.

Share a computer on a deep wreck dive? No way. Two divers would have difficulty maintaining an acceptably similar profile, and the dives often go to NDL. So, if you plan on going below 50 or 60 feet, you may want to rent another one.