PADI O/W no tables

[tom lauder]

Morning all

I am a returning diver who was previously certified in the UK 20 years ago. I have signed up for my O/W course in a couple of weeks and the LDS said they dont teach tables at all anymore its all computer diving. I understand this is the way things have gone and I have no real issue with it at this stage but I would like to understand and learn the tables for my own interest. The last time I dived computers were only just starting to appear in my club so I spent a lot of time learning and diving tables. Are there any reources to get/learn the tables that I can access?

Thanks
Tom

 

[Charles2]

It does seem that very few shops teach tables any more. If you are interested in a review, check this out: Dive Tables Review | NAUI Worldwide. Dive Safety Through Education

 

[KeithG]

It is highly likely that you will be diving with a computer (all of the dive ops we use require them).

So once you have refamiliarized yourself with the tables, be prepared to also need to fully understand what your computer is telling you. And how to use its dive planner. There appears to be a significant # of divers who do not understand their computer screens. Even more can not plan a dive on their computer.

I find that knowing the NDL for standard depths for first dives of the day is useful. The tables present this info clearly. But since we do multiple multi level dives in a single day the tables become useless after the first dive. As part of my gear up routine I always check my current NDLs on my dive computer planner.

 

[Wtfkaratemonkey]

My instructor doesn’t teach them either. I took it on myself to watch a YouTube video (Tennessee scuba?) and it was very very informative. I love the idea of technology, but I like to know what it’s doing and why and how to do things myself.

 

[tom lauder]

thanks for the link. DO you know how the naui tables compare to padi?

It does seem that very few shops teach tables any more. If you are interested in a review, check this out: Dive Tables Review | NAUI Worldwide. Dive Safety Through Education

 

[tom lauder]

I understand that theres not a lot of diving done these days without computers and i am starting to review them with a view to buying one so i understand the teaching approach but I am a bit of a geek and like to understand what is going on beyond buy this and believe what it tells you lol.

It is highly likely that you will be diving with a computer (all of the dive ops we use require them).

So once you have refamiliarized yourself with the tables, be prepared to also need to fully understand what your computer is telling you. And how to use its dive planner. There appears to be a significant # of divers who do not understand their computer screens. Even more can not plan a dive on their computer.

I find that knowing the NDL for standard depths for first dives of the day is useful. The tables present this info clearly. But since we do multiple multi level dives in a single day the tables become useless after the first dive. As part of my gear up routine I always check my current NDLs on my dive computer planner.

 

[tom lauder]

Thanks ill search that out. I agree its not that im anti computer i just want a broader understanding.

My instructor doesn’t teach them either. I took it on myself to watch a YouTube video (Tennessee scuba?) and it was very very informative. I love the idea of technology, but I like to know what it’s doing and why and how to do things myself.

 

[Compressor]

Wow I am surprised that tables are not taught. While a large number of people use computers, learning tables is good as well because it teaches you on/off gassing principles if nothing else.

Also while computer failure is very rare these days, it has happened to myself on a trip. No big deal. I used tables. I was around 50 feet and all of a sudden my computer started to beep uncontrollably. I looked at it and it was telling me that I was @ 165 feet. I was not. The pressure sensor in the computer had malfunctioned. Having memorized the NDL for 50 feet, I continued the dive knowing the limit, but due to the annoying computer beep, eventually aborted dive.

 

[Seaweed Doc]

Very odd. My LDS teaches them and written exams still have questions on them.

 

[rongoodman]

Thanks ill search that out. I agree its not that im anti computer i just want a broader understanding.

If you want a broader understanding, take a look at Deco for Divers or spend some time Googling decompression theory. Looking up numbers on a table won't tell you much.