Dive Computer Error

[DevonDiver]

Get Oceanic BUD computer. It has 2 algorithms to choose from. This will give you a peace of mind that you have something to compare to and to use it in case your first one will become unreliable all of the sudden.

As another poster mentioned - the issue is likely to stem from a faulty depth sensor. Algorithms don't 'fail'. Swapping algorithms won't fix a faulty depth/pressure sensor. Not sure if those dual algorithm computers allow you to switch programs once the dive has started anyway??

 

[endurodog]

Any equipment can fail, analog or digital, no matter how simple or advanced. Understand what to do if any of your equipment fails. Abort the dive, in a safe manner. Fix the equipement or replace it and follow water re-entry protocols.

 

[supergaijin]

I've seen computers give ridiculously short NDL time. The Zoop is a prime offender. Even though the 'algorithm' is working, it produces unrealistically short NDL times. Even on more advanced dives, some will give very different deco times from other computers. Silly.

Unless you read Buhlmann for breakfast, different computer brands' algorithms are incredibly complex and based on a variety of bubble theories, and shouldn't be dismissed lightly because of shorter NDLs. The Zoop is a beginner friendly computer- on more 'advanced' dives, I would recommend a more 'advanced' computer than the Zoop- one with Deep Stops, or multi-gas for example.

A malfunctioning computer is another thing.

For the record- I still dive with a Gecko. Nothing 'advanced' about my diving though- just recreational.

 

[ianr33]

If your computer malfunctions, there's only one (approved/trained) recourse - immediately ascend and end your dive. You don't need gauge redundancy for that.

I had a computer fail once in a way that could have been ugly.

At the start of a dive it read much deeper than we really were (180 instead of 150) And gave a bunch of deco (30 minutes??) which was obviously garbage. I just ignored it as I had a bottom timer/tables and a buddy with 2 computers.

Not sure what I would have done if I'd been a new diver that apparently needed to do all that deco. Backup computer/gauges, even if only on a buddy, seems like a real good idea to me.

 

[windapp]

If your computer malfunctions, there's only one (approved/trained) recourse - immediately ascend and end your dive. You don't need gauge redundancy for that.

But may need gauge redundancy to know that it has malfunctioned in the first place.

 

[DevonDiver]

Not sure what I would have done if I'd been a new diver that apparently needed to do all that deco. Backup computer/gauges, even if only on a buddy, seems like a real good idea to me.

A recreational diver, oblivious to the faulty reading, would have ascended in line with their computer's recommendations, surely? No deco...

Even if they 'compared gauges' with a buddy... the malfunction would still indicate a protocol to abort from the dive (as taught).

 

[PfcAJ]

Unless you read Buhlmann for breakfast, different computer brands' algorithms are incredibly complex and based on a variety of bubble theories, and shouldn't be dismissed lightly because of shorter NDLs. The Zoop is a beginner friendly computer- on more 'advanced' dives, I would recommend a more 'advanced' computer than the Zoop- one with Deep Stops, or multi-gas for example.

A malfunctioning computer is another thing.

For the record- I still dive with a Gecko. Nothing 'advanced' about my diving though- just recreational.

If you're in to sitting on the boat while other people are diving, than buy a computer that's extremely conservative, sure. Go nuts.

If you're like me and you want to actually go diving and not be limited by a goofy algorithm that doesn't represent reality, then you need to look elsewhere.

 

[DevonDiver]

....that doesn't represent reality,

What reality is this? The one with a black-and-white divide between DCS risk and no-DCS risk?

I wish I lived in THAT reality.. must be nice

 

[PfcAJ]

You get that a lot of these algorithms that computers run are artificially conservative, right? And if you want to use your noggin and stay longer (well within the range of most dive tables, as well as some other computers), they lock you out so you can't even use it.

 

[windapp]

Even if they 'compared gauges' with a buddy... the malfunction would still indicate a protocol to abort from the dive (as taught).

I am pretty sure that I didn't say any different.