If a diver is diving "recreationally" only - and is willing to abort the current dive, and stop diving for 24 hours in the event of a computer malfunction, and not dive again until equipped with an operational computer, then I agree with Bret Gilliam - there is no need for that diver to know how to use dive tables. If one isn't willing to abide by these three restrictions absolutely, then the ability to use tables is a hard requirement.
I believe that we will see all the agencies going to a "no tables" curriculum for basic OW in the near future. As for PADI's "tech" program, as I have mentioned earlier, they're likely to co-opt the "tech" term and we'll have to come up with something else to describe what we call "technical" diving today. TDI and IANTD should be thinking of name changes already, 'cause PADI will call their program "tech" over any and all protestations to the contrary.
Rick
I believe that we will see all the agencies going to a "no tables" curriculum for basic OW in the near future. As for PADI's "tech" program, as I have mentioned earlier, they're likely to co-opt the "tech" term and we'll have to come up with something else to describe what we call "technical" diving today. TDI and IANTD should be thinking of name changes already, 'cause PADI will call their program "tech" over any and all protestations to the contrary.
Rick