Are dive computers required equipment now?

[engdiver]

I started diving in 1987 before computers were widely used. I was away from diving in the late 90's and early 2000's. I am now re-entering the field and noticed that computers are almost standard gear. In fact I could not take a deep diving specialty class without one. What happened to diving only tables?

 

[ekremer]

for my deep dive and all of my AOW dives I only used tables, it may be just a strange requierment of your instructor.

 

[cornfed]

I started diving in 1987 before computers were widely used. I was away from diving in the late 90's and early 2000's. I am now re-entering the field and noticed that computers are almost standard gear. In fact I could not take a deep diving specialty class without one. What happened to diving only tables?

They are by no means required. However, many places (like you've seen in your deep class) try to make them so.

 

[RonFrank]

I started diving in 1987 before computers were widely used. I was away from diving in the late 90's and early 2000's. I am now re-entering the field and noticed that computers are almost standard gear. In fact I could not take a deep diving specialty class without one. What happened to diving only tables?

Some DiveOps are making them required for dives like the Grove, other deep wrecks.

Guess they figure on air, you are going to dive beyond a square profile, so they require computers.

 

[Walter]

No, except with SDI.

 

[engdiver]

No, except with SDI.

Why would SDI require them when the others don't?

 

[Jim Baldwin]

Why would SDI require them when the others don't?

I had a chance about a year ago to read SDI's new Open Water cetification book. It was extremely good and from almost the beginning computers are a part of the diving.

The shop that I divemaster through is a PADI shop but also picked up SDI. The last few pages of the book talk about tables and give you an explaination of how to use them.

However, the course is taught with a computer and the shop ordered wrist computers just for the students talking the SDI class. The thinking apparently is that more and more recreational divers are going with computers and that they might as well teach the students how to dive with a comptuer.

I know tables don't break. When I learned to dive 25 years ago computers were something that a scientist used. Now I have four and can clearly enjoy the advantages of multi-level diving.

 

[Blackwood]

Are dive computers required equipment now?

Short answer: of course not.



Sales are good for the industry, though, so the industry pushes them.

 

[H2Andy]

What happened to diving only tables?

same thing that happened to chopping down trees with only an ax

it's just a lot easier to plan your dive and dive your plan using a computer

 

[Wayward Son]

In my wife's PADI OW class, they taught tables. Which I solidly agree with.

Dive computers got this during a classroom session from the instructor:

"Dive computers are really cool. You need to look into them when you start diving. They're the future."

While I do think that the tables should be taught & taught first, I can see it coming when the training will include the actual use of a computer. Even if it means an extra evening in the class, the shops should like it as it will drive sales.