Computers - do beginners need them?

[otter-cat]

NetDoc once bubbled...
There are four segments to this graph... I like to keep the first two dark! I calculated that this is about 15-20 fpm. So, unless I am doing a deep dive (with deep stops) that a new diver just has no business dealing with, that works GREAT!!!

Computers free your brain to concentrate on other (more worthwhile) things. You might just notice that herd of jelly fish you are about to enter... or might not miss that Marlin swimming by.

If you are monitoring your ascent rate by watching the graph on your computer, it seems like you have to be looking at the computer rather than those other things.

I'm not adamantly against computers; in fact, I use one. But I like to plan my dives with tables to give me a better idea of the numbers I can expect out of my computer, so that I can be better able to recognize if it's malfunctioning and giving erroneous information. I also have a separate depth gauge, so I can dive without the computer.

As far as ascent rates go, I try to monitor my rate by environmental cues (bubbles, particulates in the water column, etc.) but it's nice to be able to download (upload?) the profile from my computer afterwards and see how I did.

 

[The Chairman]

somewhat more often than I check my speed-o-meter on my car when I drive (but not much). But it's a quick check to affirm that I am ascending in a s-l-o-w manner... a single glance to verify and I am back to watching students/clients. But I am not simultaneously watching my second hand and my SPG to see if I just did that last 10 feet in at least 20 seconds (no less). Nope, I like simple instrumentation to do that for me.

And since I do dive with students, I am always watching their tables as well as mine own.

 

[Uncle Pug]

AaronBBrown once bubbled...
I usually use up my air before I have to even worry about NDL (my computer's NDLs, not the tables).

BTW.... my bottom timer doubles as an SPG and vise versa.

 

[Uncle Pug]

NetDoc once bubbled...
I am always watching their tables as well as mine own.

Your a funny guy Pete...
You sure are *watching* a lot of stuff in this thread: good looking dive partners, computer ascent meter, your tables, everyone elses tables, the fish.... but no... can't watch the stuff in the water column to gauge your ascent.

 

[The Chairman]

I probably watch the water column too... I just don't trust it. There are lot of times when there is an upwelling or downwelling and you seem to be stable when you really are not. Currents don't only go sideways. Just like I don't trust the passing power poles when I am driving a car, I don't like to try and calculate my ascent speed when I am busy in other areas.

I watch people first... they are my main priority. I watch for sea life and neat stuff second... to show to the nice people. I keep close track of the two divers with the worst SAC rate, but I tend to keep an eye on everyone's spg. Sometimes I even look at MY spg. I know what their dive plan should be, and I encourage them to dive it.

On ascent, things change a bit. I am usually in a position of slowing everyone down. Most get the hang of it rather quickly and learn to like the slow ascent. I do check my "ascent-o-meter" quite often at this point and am constantly surveying the group to make sure that they are ascending safely.

Of course it helps if she's really cute... :tease:

BTW, did I mention that I love to dive?

 

[Uncle Pug]

jonnythan once bubbled...
That's pretty cool.. can you tell us how you planned these dives and figured that they incur no deco obligation? What tables did you use?

... but I won't here.

I will say this ... for these dives our plan was adjusted on the fly and we didn't use *tables*.

 

[landlocked]

Uncle Pug once bubbled...
Well I did once...... but I won't here.

I will say this ... for these dives our plan was adjusted on the fly and we didn't use *tables*.

Don't suppose you would like to PM one astute student and let me know where that was posted? I haven't been able to find it anywhere.

The tables that I have don't count the ascent time. Just from the surface til you start the ascent. I suspect that would change the times a little in applying it to the table. I also suspect that if the chart work were done ahead of time and the depths predetermined, you could simply make sure that you stuck to the plan and that the total time was not exceded. E.g., EAN32 at 63 feet (50 feet equvalent air depth) is good for anything less than or up to 70 minutes. A few numbers like that on a wet note and your flying. I do seem to be missing a piece to solve this particular puzzle though.

 

[The Chairman]

of course modifying it for less Nitrogen, and adjusting it varying on average depth. I know of quite a few divers who use that and have yet to score a "hit". Not that you would ever WANT to score a "hit" like that... :tease: I have even seen the 130 and the 140 rule used by various divers. Either way, you can dive it sans tables and still come up cool.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Spectre once bubbled...
What do you mean by guage mode with your stinger [free dive mode?]. Also, does it still record the profiles for download later?

yes... similar to free dive mode.
yes... records profiles for download.

Suunto has a cheaper version out for free/technical divers that does not include the computer functions but has everything else including the feature I like best about the Stinger:

You can press a button and start a count up timer with minutes:seconds in the middle of the display...

this is wonderful for timing ascents & stops...

if for instance you are going to do 1 minutes stops at 30, 20, 10
rounding the stops up.

push the button at 30'
and at 0:40 start up to 20'
and you should be there by 1:00 (30fpm)
and at 1:40 start up to 10'
and arrive at 2:00 (30fpm)
and stay there until 2:40
then do a slow ascent to the surface

 

[Uncle Pug]

AaronBBrown once bubbled...
I still try to use the rule of thirds

Aaron I missed your post yesterday...

Question for you to ask yourself, "Why am I using the rule of thirds?"

{If you don't know why you are doing something how can you be sure that you are even doing the right thing?}

For some diving the *rule of thirds* is sufficient... for others it is not enough... and for others it is waaaaaaay overkill.

Let's talk about the *rule of thirds* in another thread.... look for it in basic scuba discussions... because this is really basic.


PS...
yo momma told me to be gentle with you... and at 6'8"... I said, "Yessum."