why hate safety devices?

[tyesai]

LOL, referencing aviation and audible alarms I can think of three planes ( I'd bet there is more ) in the last 10 or so years that have landed wheels up because the audibles are annoying and the pilots pull the circuit breakers so they don't have to listen to bitching Betty bitch.

Being a total green horn I almost wish I had just a depth gauge instead of my computer, I have a Veo 1.0 wich is a very very simple computer, but even after reading the owners manual 3 times, and then watching the on-line video's it is still kind of confusing once I'm in the water. I know I just need more practice with it, and as soon as the indoor pool opens up and I can get some air I'm going to go play with it in the pool for a half hour or so till it is second nature. I'd probably get rid of it if it beeped at me for multiple reasons as I'd end up ignoring it.

I like gadgets and gizmo's as much as the next person, but when it comes to safety I feel that the KISS is the best way to go. Give me a revolver and a big mean dog instead of a home security system. Tracking?

 

[Crush]

Thanks to all who have responded. I wanted to give posters an opportunity to state their positions and offer their justifications. Responses seem to have fallen into three camps. The rationales used were informative. Absence of reasonable rationale was also informative.

 

[DevonDiver]

The only true safety device, regardless of what activity you are involved in, is sitting between your ears.

My nose?!?

 

[fdog]

This post is likely to start a flame war, but my intent is to solicit opinions.

Why do some scuba divers hate some scuba innovations that can give rise to a higher degree of safety?

Example: the air-integrated computer with audible warning when you pass your user-determined "reserve gas" pressure.

Many SB members feel that a good 'ol brass 'n glass SPG is all you need. Fine. A few have made jokes about the cacophonous symphony that accompanies a class of new divers completing their OW certs when their computers warn them about various issues. Point taken.

Of course you should manage your gas. Of course your buddy should be near at hand. Of course you should learn to use your computer. Of course you should learn to dive without a computer. But why do some hate computers, or at least a perceived over-reliance on them in this case?

For example, a pilot should know to watch the altitude gauge. Also, pilots of aircraft with retractable landing gear should know to extend said landing gear prior to landing. I am not a pilot, but I am sure that warning systems exist in aircraft to alert pilots to low altitude and retracted landing gear, irrespective of how good the pilot is.

What makes scuba different?

I am swimming against the stream here, but my observation is that the folks you refer to have learned the one right way, and now see the entire world through that lens.



All the best, James

 

[Paladin]

Hmm. If your nose is all you have between your ears, that might explain a few things...

 

[peterbj7]

To the original question, I believe in using the minimal amount of hi-tech gear and having the simplest gear setup I can get away with on that dive. Anything mechanical can fail, anything electronic is far more likely to fail, so I keep that to a minimum. And as I only occasionally check my gas pressure I don't need that information anywhere other than in a simple mechanical SPG.

I started out with all sorts of gongs and bells, with hose integrated or radio integrated computers which told me not only what air I had left but how long it would last at current usage rate. To me quite redundant information and I gradually moved all that gear on. One prompter was the QR device that attached my hose-integrated computer to my first stage letting go. At that time I didn't have a separate mechanical SPG. I've never made that mistake since.

 

[Crush]

I am swimming against the stream here, but my observation is that the folks you refer to have learned the one right way, and now see the entire world through that lens.



All the best, James

James,

You do indeed appear to be swimming against the stream. You and Cave Diver read the OP clearly. I am not advocating replacing one's brain with an AI computer. The OP was not about buying gear to circumvent needing to be a better diver. I appreciate your responses. In fact, I appreciate all the responses as they continue to give me insight into SB posters.

 

[tkdgodess]

If others want AI fine. I'm too chicken to rely on one. It's a 100km round trip in hell traffic to the ocean, I hate not be able to dive because electronics futz out. I never ever heard the alarms on my wrist mount computer thru my hood. I like that I can see a running o2 exposure percentage and all the other fun bits of data. That's neat but not necessary.

Necessary safety gear: dsmb, pocket mask & cutting tool. Spg is not a safety tool, without it I wouldn't dive, so it's up there with needing a tank and a reg.

 

[Rhone Man]

Innovations that promote safety (and comfort, and enjoyment, and lower prices, and ... and ...) are great - who the hell wants to go back to J-valves? But new technology brings the dual risk of failure and over-reliance.

One day closed circuit rebreathers, I am certain, will be the norm for diving. Right now they are (in my opinion) a good way to fill up those last empty spaces in the morgue. And that is now - think how ludicrously dangerous those things were when they first came into common use.

On the other hand, over reliance is not a problem with the technology so much as the diver, but I don't underestimate its impact nonetheless.

 

[Garth]

The only true safety device, regardless of what activity you are involved in, is sitting between your ears.

Some people are "safer" than others... :cool2: