Computers - Do you NEED a backup?

[MNScuba]

OK, I see a lot of you who say I have Brand X computer and Brand Y as a backup... Do you REALLY need a backup computer or do most of you have one because you upgraded and just use both?

If indeed the answer is YES, you need a backup... are there inexpensive models that you can recommend? I personally own the Suunto Mosquito (had the Vyper but switched because I like the 'daily use' I can get out of the Mosquito versus the 'while diving only' use I get with the Vyper.

In my opinion, I could see a backup being a 'nice to have' instead of a 'have to have'. From what I can tell, dive computers are pretty stable and reliable now and there is not much need for a backup.

I saw a post somewhere about somebody having a computer for sale that would make a nice backup... I may be interested if this post turns that direction...

Many thanks for your opinions on this!

 

[HoosierDiver]

You don't need a backup, but one would be nice to have, especially if you are doing multiple dives. There are a number of things to consider.

1) If you are using an air integrated computer, and you have a non-integrated backup, you will need a SPG in the event something happens to the air integrated computer.

2) Personally I'd prefer my computers to be using the same algorithm. For example, I have a Cobra and if I decided to get a backup, I'd probably go with either a Vyper or a Mosquito.

3) If you don't have a backup (or really even if you do), you should still be logging your dives, and you can always fall back on the dive tables if necessary.

If you purchase a quality computer though, and keep an eye on the battery, it will be very reliable, and the chance of a failure very remote. The one exception to that rule might be the air integrated hoseless computers, I've seen a couple of people have their receivers flood on them.

Instead of a backup computer, you might also consider getting something as simple as a watch or bottom timer, so if your computer does fail, you'll be able to determine your bottom time.

 

[simon66]

Hi ,
I use a buddy nexus computer and a dive watch with dive timer and max depth etc . plus a slate generated from tables by " GAP " software www.gap-software.com .
Should anything happen like a flood or damage / loss etc .

simon
.

 

[martinjc]

I also own the Suunto Mosquito - in addition I wear a 'dive' watch (TIMEX - Iron Man HUMVEE edition) and have a Depth Guage along with my SPG console. Plus - I plan my dives via PADI's wheel - which I carry in my log book. With all this - I have yet to be convinced of the need for a back-up computer.

I should also note that the last thing I do before I submerge is start the stop watch function on my watch - and the timer function is pre-programmed at 3-minutes for my safety stop - once my Mosquito reads 15 feet - I start the timer. (never can be too careful). <S>

 

[Stone]

* For local diving, I carry a backup, but it is not necessary. I don't even need tables to backup my computer (just my logbook and a watch).

* For all unfamiliar or new locations, I carry a backup, but it is still not entirely necessary. I could fall back on the tables.

* On a live-aboard, I consider a backup computer required equipment; not from a safety point of view, but I don't want to spend big bucks and miss out on bottom time.

 

[bradymsu]

The computer isn't necessarily the issue. The question should be if you need a redundant gas pressure indicator and a backup timing device. Some computers are both, some aren't air integrated.

Most technical and recreational divers only use one indicator of air pressure. If that were to fail, be it a computer or spg, you would need to end your dive immediately. You don't need a redundant spg or redundant air-integrated computer because you don't need to track your gas supply since you're ending your dive anyway. Either you have enough gas or you don't.

As far as a timing device (either a computer or a watch), you only need one for a recreational dive but two for a technical dive. If your watch or computer should die on a recreational dive, you end you dive immediately taking a 10 minute safety stop at 15' if you think you were even close to no decompression limits. A technical diver should have two computers or two watches or a combination of a computer and a watch. The technical dive will be planned out ahead of time on the surface and notes on decompression stops for several scenarios written on a dive slate. If one timing device should fail, he must have another to complete his deco safely.

I like computers and use a Cobra as my primary computer and a DiveRite Nitek as my backup computer. The Nitek is not air integrated but is very affordable.

 

[rcohn]

I agrees with Stone, a backup computer isn't necessary for weekend diving but for expensive dive trips it is an inexpensive form of trip insurance. When you consider the cost per dive on a trip, a second computer is a cheap way to keep you from missing dives should your primary fail. Plus it adds safety in all diving should your primary provide erroneous information instead of simply dying.

I'd love to have a set of the tables most of you guys are using. When multilevel diving, I'm way off the tables after the first dive and with 3 to 5 dives a day on a liveaboard, it would be very hard to switch to tables after a computer failure without losing dives. Then it would be difficult (nearly impossible) to create the same multilevel profiles using tables. I'm not familar with the PADI wheel, maybe that can cover you. I would rather carry a backup computer.

Ralph

 

[bradymsu]

Ralph,

I agree with you on carrying a backup computer. It's worth the money should your computer die. The one thing that must be remember is that the second computer has to be carried on you all the time. It isn't an alternative if it doesn't go underwater on every dive.

In recreational diving, if you're diving on a computer and it fails, you often cannot go back to tables for the reasons you've stated. You would have to stay out of the water for 24 hours. As I explained in my last post, technical diving works differently as the dive and deco is planned in advance on dry land. You can switch from a dead computer to a watch.

 

[CAMPER]

Hi,

My sons computer's battery compartment flooded (LDS had just replaced battery) on our recent trip to Bonaire. We had to be very conservative for the rest of the week. If at all possible I will be carring a backup, I consider it cheap insurance.

Buddy Dive was great replacing the O-ring with a smile and no sly remarks that I probably deserved.

Ed B

 

[luvdiving]

Hi Murdock

I generally (never) use a backup for everyday dives. I sometimes (always) take a backup computer with me on exotic dive trips.

If my main computer dies for some reason, I have the backup available for the rest of the trip. It has been tracking my dive profile and I don't have to worry about missing dives while I spend time off-gassing to a nothing pressure group.

As mentioned earlier, the primary and backup should both use the same algorithm.:boom: