BackUp for a wireless setup

[TheAce]

Just wondering,

I am changing my setup to a wireless (hoseless) air-integrated computer.
Should I add as backup a mini SPG or a mini SPG+Depth gauge or I should just use the computer?

Until today I had an air integrated smart com and no back up. SO if the computer fails immediate surfacing was the option.

Would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks!

 

[PerroneFord]

Quite honestly, I am of the opinoin the computer should be the backup. I am not alone in that. Computers and water don't mix all that well sometimes. There are three pieces of information I want to know without the aid of a computer.

1. How deep I am
2. How long I've been there
3. How much gas do I have to breathe.

A computer can tell me all three things. Usually. But sometimes they break, batteries fail, the unit can flood, it could fall off, etc. I guess since I work with computers every day, I have a hard time trusting my life to one.

So I say, buy a real pressure guage (Scubapro, Uwatec, OMS, Dive Rite, etc.) attach it to your first stage, and use it. And save yourself the added cost of the air-integrated computer.

Just my $.02

 

[cmalinowski]

While I have a backup computer that reads from the same xmitter, if the xmitter breaks, then I won't know my pressure. I will know how deep I am and how long I've been down. I would abort the dive when I lost my pressure.

As for the argument that computers break, that is true. So do mechanical pressure and depth guages. I don't know that rate for each (I would imagine that computers break more often). But trusting that something won't break would be dangerous. That is why you are looking for backup. Whatever makes you comfortable.

Like I said, I have a datatrans plus and a atom (both oceanic). The atom xmitter sends the data to both. If one of the computers fails, then the other still should be working. If the xmitter fails, I lose my pressure and abort the dive. I have another xmitter on the boat (the datatrans's original xmitter). I can replace and use the datatrans+ as the guages and computer, and the atom would be just a computer with no AI.

That's just me. It works for me. I like backup.

 

[ssra30]

I also just switched from Smartcom to wireless air integrated setup and I had similar thought. The main reason for switching for me was to reduce number of hose so having a back up pressure gauge kind of defeat the purpose. My plan is to dive without a backup pressure gauge and I am prepared to terminate my dive if the system should break up. I would do the same if the pressure guage or depth gauge etc should breakdown during the dive. I suppose if my system break down often then I am back to the drawing board.

 

[PerroneFord]

I understand the idea that perhaps a mechanical SPG might break. They in fact do. But to me, people who dive computers, especially air integrated units are placing all their eggs in one basket. For those who use it as their core of diving information are relying on it for:

SPG duties
Depth monitoring duties
Bottom time duties
Deco information duties

The failure of the unit underwater would rob you of nearly all your basic dive profile information. This scares the bejeezus out of me!

So my idea is to isolate problems underwater by having other ways to get my basic information. If any one of them fails, it's a fairly manageable issue and the dive is aborted and/or the problem managed. If you're at 70 feet, havent checked your tank pressure in a while, and look down to see your computer is non-operational, you've lost your time, depth, deco obligations, and tank pressure. And you have no guide to ascent rate (use the bubbles) or no idea when you are at the proper depth for your stops.

Now having said all that, your buddy is the redundant piece to the puzzle. And using his or her equipment to gauge the dive is certainly useful.

The original post begs the question though, if you are going wireless with your pressure, why then add one on a hose? Why not just stick with a high quality SPG on a hose in the first place and clip it off out of the way? The difference in cost of an air intergrated unit would pay for a nice SPG.

 

[Hoosier]

That's exactly what I thought. I always bring the addtional SPG to CMS, but it is just back up in the bag. If you intend to do the advanced dive like deep tech diving, the computer you are using won't be enough. For the sports diving, it is ok. Otherwise, why did you buy the darn expensive transmitter?

My 2 cents.

I also just switched from Smartcom to wireless air integrated setup and I had similar thought. The main reason for switching for me was to reduce number of hose so having a back up pressure gauge kind of defeat the purpose. My plan is to dive without a backup pressure gauge and I am prepared to terminate my dive if the system should break up. I would do the same if the pressure guage or depth gauge etc should breakdown during the dive. I suppose if my system break down often then I am back to the drawing board.

 

[joedelt]

it seems to me it shouldnt be to big a deal to ahve a pressure gauge inline on the HP line for the air integrated. that way if your puter pukes you still have a pressure reading, and if your using a backup computer can avoid scrubbing a dive. i realize this doesnt help for the wireless setup, but still an interesting thought

 

[letterboy]

I dive hoseless. . . That said i currently don't have a back-up pressure gauge on my back gas, if my comp breaks I signal my, Buddy switch to my pony bottle which I know has 3000 psi and we surface TOGETHER. Using his computer not mine due to the fact that mine would have become comprosmised.

Now my buddy dives a semi-DIR set-up he is hoseless as well but he has a small SPG off one of his posts that runs trimmed to his tanks in case of a failure. It runs nicley between his wing nd his tank right down to his side. . . sorry if i sound like a DIR hippy

Again just my 2 psi,

John

 

[PerroneFord]

What's in your pony bottle? Air? Oxygen?

 

[letterboy]

What's in your pony bottle? Air? Oxygen?

Air That way I am good to any depth I dive.

John