Dive Tables

[DiveNav]

.....If dive computers are so critical and invaluable- why are new students not trained with them when receiving OW certification?

Actually this is not correct.
PADI has recently launched the new OW course that includes free use of our divePAL simulator. (see press release)
By using divePAL a PADI OW student can become familiar with a model-specific dive computer. Here how the program works

Alberto (aka eDiver)

 

[diver 85]

I'd rent one for the trip(can't be that expensive) either there or where you live.....& this is coming from a fella who about 7 years ago said he/d NEVER need/own one......Now I'm)almost) like American Express, 'Don't leave home without it....'

 

[TMHeimer]

It sure is. A multilevel profile is pretty much ideal for a wall dive IMO, especially if your entry and exit points are the same. Descend to deepest level, hold that until you reach the predetermined bottom time at deepest level (or min gas at that depth), ascend to shallower depths - usually about half of max depth - and start on the return leg. That way, you'll see different parts of the wall on the two legs of the dive while still surfacing close to your entry point, and as a bonus, you'll extend both your NDL and gas time compared to a square profile dive.


It's always possible to pre-plan based on your own personal limits. Myself, I try not to go deeper than about 25m, both due to the short bottom time and because I'm a bit susceptible to narcosis. A simple simulation, either with the eRDPml, proprietary software like Suunto's Dive Planner, shareware like V-Planner or even hacking it with the RDP can give you some nice boilerplate plans to use as a basis. My standard multilevel dive is something along the lines of 20 min at max 25m, then 20 min at max 15m. Alternatively, 25 min at 20m, then 30 min at 12m. Add the safety stop, and my total run time is 45-60 minutes, and I surface well before I suck my tank dry. At shallower max depths, I can stay underwater until I have to surface to avoid peeing in my suit (which is just in excess of an hour's run time, after that my bladder is starting to become uncomfortably full...)

Of course, this planning thing may be slight overkill if the guide decides on the dive plan and you've never been to the site before. But I think it's a good thing to have an idea of what constitutes a sensible dive for myself even if I have to tag along after a guide

Yeah, I don't disagree with you on anything. Just pointing out that the eRDPml is fairly useless if you don't know the site well, or don't want to plan an exact number of minutes at exact depths. A buddy I was with used it to plan, then we went to the wreck bottm and just gradually ascended on parts of the wreck. So we checked computers and re-planned dive #2. You might want this approach on a wall as well (I've not dived a wall yet). I would think these types of dives are fairly common, but don't know for sure. Other input welcome.

 

[Storker]

<offtopic>

I've not dived a wall yet

You should try it. Wall dives are among my favorite dives. Hanging freely in nowhere, suspended above a seemingly endless void, well below the edge of the wall - or the surface - is... deeply fascinating. I just love it. And you always have the wall itself as a reference for your depth, so only fairly decent buoyancy control is necessary to pull it off safely.
</offtopic>

 

[Agility]

and I've never even once had the batteries die on a RDP table.

I have seen watches go slow and I have seen watches stop.
Yes I am in the Computer fraction for recreational diving and I am not even convinced planning a tecnical dive with tables is superior to using an electronic tool like Multideco

 

[TMHeimer]

I have seen watches go slow and I have seen watches stop.
Yes I am in the Computer fraction for recreational diving and I am not even convinced planning a tecnical dive with tables is superior to using an electronic tool like Multideco

I'm belaboring the point, but I've had 3 $25 watches. I lost one, the second flooded due to the "tab" being pulled out underwater (freak thing). The 3rd still going after 3 years. Haven't had one slow down or stop yet.

 

[drrich2]

Jamie:

Welcome to ScubaBoard and I think if you stick it out and stick around you will indeed find it to be a fine community, especially if you've got a fairly thick skin. There are a few somewhat contentious issues on the forum that are easy to wonder into. Off the top of my head:

1.) Tables - some seem to think you 'don't need a computer' and tables are a fine way to dive. Some view tables like using an abacus when you've got a calculator handy, and appreciate the on-the-fly NDL calculating ability to take advantage of multi-levels. Plus the perception that most everybody dives computers, and others arguing that no, they and some people they know dive tables. It's pretty much guaranteed to start a debate.

2.) Independent navigation vs. following a dive guide. Many people are lousy at navigation, will stay that way, and enjoy following professional guides in strange places they may never dive again. And some hotly decry this attitude, believing that you should always navigate, know where you are, etc...

One thing about ScubaBoard; you can almost always get some constructive criticism and learn. It may not be fruit flavored, so to speak, but it can be useful.

Happy diving.

Richard.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Oh boy! another tables thread!!

-eating popcorn-

 

[Lopez116]

Kudos for having the foresight to realize this in advance. Tables were confusing for me as well. Once you get it, it just clicks.

Seriously consider renting a computer. You don't NEED one, but if you're air is outlasting your allowable bottom times on the tables, you'll soon grow frustrated with the tables assuming that you stayed at your max depth the entire time. The difference is staggering.

Have a fun trip!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[TMHeimer]

Oh boy! another tables thread!!

-eating popcorn-

Yeah! It boils down to type of diving. If you are doing a typical 2 tank boat dive in the U.S./Canada it may go like this: First dive 80' for 25 minutes. Hour+ S.I., travel to 2nd site. 2nd dive 60' for 35 mins. Crew is happy you have 500 PSI reserve each time. Assuming even a square profile, there is no major advantage having a computer. If your dive is more multi level-like, with longer bottom times obviously the computer makes a big difference. If you're diving 20-30', who cares?