Compass on Left hand, Computer on right..

[clipperTT]

Hi folks,

Just a quick question regarding the compass on the left wrist and computer on the right.

I use my canister light head on my left hand but find it more useful to have my computer and compass on my right wrist so I can illuminate both without having to take the light off. In this fashion I can also follow a compass bearing and light my way at the same time. Could someone please explain the benefit of compass on the left if you're not scootering?

Thanks

 

[Thalassamania]

It makes you look like all the other guys?

 

[kanonfodr]

It makes you look like all the other guys?

If you're following the guidelines provided by GUE/UTD/DIR for instrument placement, it's simply for consistency as to why we always keep our compass on the left wrist. You'll never have to unlearn/relearn something.

That being said, if you are under no guidelines then it should be perfectly acceptable to put your compass on the right wrist, next to your computer. There is small chance that your compass may deviate a bit due to being in such close proximity to your computer, but if you could notice it you would be a better person than I. If you wish to keep your compass on the left wrist, you can always put your light in a temporary hold, light up your compass for a moment, then it should glow for quite a while. It's not that big of a deal, once you have done it a few time.

Peace,
Greg

 

[Rainer]

It's mostly for scootering reasons. That said, as Greg mentioned, I've never had an issue in dark water just shining my HID at the compass every 10-15 minutes (at least my SK-7 glows for that long). Moving the light around every once in awhile has never bothered me too much.

In any case, the compass position is hardly a life or death matter. Still, you never know when you'll start scootering.

 

[Thalassamania]

Actually I wear all my gauges on my left since it is often important, for accurate navigation, to have time, depth and direction information in a single field of view.

 

[rhlee]

Buoyancy control on ascents is managed with the left arm (drysuit, wing-venting), so it is better to put depth gauge on the right arm so that information is available while managing the ascent.

 

[Thalassamania]

I guess I don't see that. On ascent my BC is empty and my suit is auto-venting or I can hit my shoulder valve by leaning my head to the right and shrugging my right shoulder.

 

[Rainer]

On deeper dives, the BC is hardly ever empty (offsetting a fair amount of backgas). I find having depth on the right is quite useful. That said, I keep a second BT on my left wrist as well. Best of both worlds.

 

[Thalassamania]

In a wetsuit you're correct, but when I am in a dry suit I actively maintain fairly constant volume and my BC is only offsetting the weight of my remaining gas. On ascent (except in extreme cases where I hit bingo air at a high pressure) my BC is empty. Right wrist, left wrist, no big deal as I see it, unless you're keeping one hand or the other free for lobster.

 

[Rainer]

Must just be diving differently then. We'll usually kill a stage for the first dive, leaving the doubles untouched for a second dive. That's >15# of backgas that needs to be offset (nevermind the gas in the deco bottles). Beyond what I want in the drysuit and certainly beyond what I can control with my lungs.