Computer instead of Dive Table?

[H2Andy]

I recently took the Enriched Air Nitrox course and guess what, 90% of that class is learning to use tables
to plan an enriched air dive. I was amazed that half the class was confused about using a table.

that was my experience too. luckily, i did all my diving on tables for the first
year or so of my diving, so i learned them well.

i find that they are so easy to use now, even after years with a computer. it's
like riding a bike, you never forget.

 

[alikws]

the short answer is:
tables work nice to plan your dive
computers work nice to dive your plan

 

[H2Andy]

that's a pretty fair statement, i find

 

[Spratman]

Greetings and welcome to the board!

I look at it as the old "belt and suspenders" technique. If one fails, you have the other to fall back on. Learn both, practice with both. The problem with computers is that they tend to make you lazy and depend on them far too much. I'm an I/T guy and am always fishing stuff out that people didn't backup. If it can be fished out.

Anyway, hope you enjoy your trip to Coz. I'll be in Cancun and first week of Nov. Have a great time!

Jack

 

[Zero]

the short answer is:
tables work nice to plan your dive
computers work nice to dive your plan

True for nomial operation! But have a backup plan & tables, just in case!

 

[BlueBlur]

I really appreciate everyone's input....even the parts that were on a sidetrack. I can tell I am going to learn a lot just by lurking around here are reading all the posts. Also, zboss, I totally understand waht you are saying about me thinking my SCUBA instructor is a safety freak. He may be and he may not be, how am I suppose to know this when I don't have anything to compare him to. Since I tend to be the nerdy academic type anyway, I have been reading and reading to make sure I completely understand all that is going on. I know studying is not the same thing as doing but it's a start and it's something I can do now. I do some pool work in a few weeks and then we go on the check out dive so I'll update everyone about my newbie expereince.

btw, I don't think my instructor uses tables much so I asked him what he would do if his computer were to malfunction during a dive. He says he always has a diving watch on so he can keep up with time and that he would immediately abort the dive.

 

[616fun]

btw, I don't think my instructor uses tables much so I asked him what he would do if his computer were to malfunction during a dive. He says he always has a diving watch on so he can keep up with time and that he would immediately abort the dive.

And if he converted to tables, he wouldn't miss dives 2 and 3 that day. Though his bottom time will likely be less, a little is better than nothing.

 

[lorien]

btw, I don't think my instructor uses tables much so I asked him what he would do if his computer were to malfunction during a dive. He says he always has a diving watch on so he can keep up with time and that he would immediately abort the dive.

Maybe it is just me but it just bothers me that an instructor would say that to a student. And, I would be uncomfortable with someone who does not think the tables are important. I know you are already committed to this instructor but you need to learn the tables, maybe just tell him you feel more comfortable doing it that way & insist that you log your dives using the tables not just a computer.

 

[H2Andy]

lorien, it bugs me too...

actually... this is something i learned from Uncle Pug on here, and something i plan
to use in the future:

as long as you know how long you've been below 3 ATA's (66 feet) all you have to do
is spend the same amount of time above 2 ATA's (33 feet) and you'll be golden.
a bunch of people have checked this out with deco software, and it holds up.
this does not work with air. you need 32% or higher mix.

this, of course, requires that you jot down or remember the time at which you
passed 66 feet (i'd jot it down; my memory is terrible). also, it requires good
gas management, since you will need gas at the end of the dive to do your
time above 33 feet.

also, the more time you spend shallow ANYWAY is good for offgassing, so i wouldn't
abort the dive. i'd just go above 33 feet if possible and continue the dive.

also, i jot down my NDL for the planned depth (and 10 feet below and 10 feet above,
just in case), and so if my computer fails, i have my watch and can continue the
dive up to the NDL and then begin an ascent, and try to get as much diving as i
can (gas permitting) above 30 feet.

i have to say i have yet to have a computer fail on me, btw.

 

[Charlie99]

Andy, this 3ata / 2ata rule doesn't work with air. Does with EAN32 and hotter mixes.