Computer madness

[sharpenu]

I always get a chuckle out of people who slam divers on computer. They invariably make 2 points for either using tables only or carrying back up tables.

1 Computers can be wrong. That is true that under some conditions computers can make an error. That being said, which do you think is more likely? A math error from a human or a computer? I would bet the computer is more likely to be correct.

2 Computers can fail, so I use a backup table. That does not work if you are truly taking advantage of your computer. For example, I did a dive on computer (EANx32) to 76fsw for 54 minutes, then followed 67 minutes later by a dive to 58 fsw for 50 minutes and a third dive after a 2 hour SI to 55 feet for 40 minutes. All 3 of these dives were within my computer's NDL, yet firmly within Deco territory on the tables. A backup set of tables would not allow these dives.

Instead of worrying about tables, remember the rule for that rare computer failure: go to 20fsw and stay there until you are low on air, then you are done for 24 hours. After that, use another computer and happy diving!

 

[Uncle Pug]

What was your point in the above, Ernie? Don't use tables? Don't use back up tables?

Hmmm. OK.

 

[Rick Inman]

What was your point in the above, Ernie? Don't use tables? Don't use back up tables?

Hmmm. OK.

You responded??? Too much time in the warm water has effected your troll-detector.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Ernie? A Troll? Nah... .... ..... ..... ???

 

[RonFrank]

I'm really not sure I've ever seen a computer make a mistake, but they can malfunction. These are not quite the same things. When a puter malfunctions, it's obvious, not misleading. My experience is mostly computers (mainframes/UNIX/PC's) which I program, so I've seen a LOT of malfunctions over the past couple decades. :11:

I've not had a dive computer failure, but I've not dived all that much. Most stores I've read about dive computer malfunctions were VERY obvious. Aeris must have had some problems with the AI, as I've read several stories involving those, mostly brand new.

When people make mistakes, it's misleading, and generally not obvious.

Computers calcualte multilevel dives based on every level, so it's going to be accurate. The mistake will be made by the operator, who rides the computer into the NDL zone, or ignores information that the computer provides.

I'm really not sure where you were going with this post???

Ron

I always get a chuckle out of people who slam divers on computer. They invariably make 2 points for either using tables only or carrying back up tables.

1 Computers can be wrong. That is true that under some conditions computers can make an error. That being said, which do you think is more likely? A math error from a human or a computer? I would bet the computer is more likely to be correct.

2 Computers can fail, so I use a backup table. That does not work if you are truly taking advantage of your computer. For example, I did a dive on computer (EANx32) to 76fsw for 54 minutes, then followed 67 minutes later by a dive to 58 fsw for 50 minutes and a third dive after a 2 hour SI to 55 feet for 40 minutes. All 3 of these dives were within my computer's NDL, yet firmly within Deco territory on the tables. A backup set of tables would not allow these dives.

Instead of worrying about tables, remember the rule for that rare computer failure: go to 20fsw and stay there until you are low on air, then you are done for 24 hours. After that, use another computer and happy diving!

 

[jbisjim]

I am not sure i have seen a computer make a mistake either, but I have questioned the computers answers. Then done some research as to why?

Plan you dive dive your plan. Use your computer to help facilitate your plan.

 

[saying]

I carry two computers on every dive.

I haven't looked at tables in about a year.

 

[Mako Mark]

I can think of two times that I have had computer errors, my nitek He got stuck in gauge mode, and another I had a Suunto default to nitrox and give me curly info

click here for what happened

 

[miketsp]

Computers occasionally go funny when the battery voltage is dropping near end of life, then one or two dives later they tell you the battery is low and needs changing.
And you've been racking your brains trying to find out how the heck you hit 35m when you remember the bottom at 10m. Were you really that narced?

 

[jonnythan]

My Sensus Pro occasionally lets me know I did a 435 foot dive for 3 minutes (180 fpm ascent!) while I *swear* I was sitting on the boat. I guess those deep freedives are just so commonplace to me now that I don't even notice em anymore