Dive Tables

[Agility]

Using tables on a multiday multidive trip will likely cut you short on divetime.
For me it was more important to own a divecomputer than a wetsuit, but that is only me.
I recommend contacting your LDS to rent two simple divecomputers, maybe you can find some used ones on ebay or craigslist.

 

[Storker]

Many dives are "let's explore the wreck" by hitting bottom first the gradually ascending--or same idea, so I've heard, with wall dives.

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.

Unless you've been there before you just don't know anything very exact about the multi-levels. So you re-calculate between dives using RDP, eRDPml, or more likely just looking at your computer.

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

 

[Qasar]

I don't understand the question really.
On one side you should know how to use tables before diving, or go for someone to explain again, and on the other one if you want to be part of a dive trip you need a computer. All LDS are renting them, and they will be happy (if they are pro) to tell you what you have to look for on it (mainly the depth, time and NDL).
You can of course find ways to go around the missing computer, but you can also use a baby boy instead of your BCD, a T-shirt instead of your wetsuit and a bottle of coca cola instead of your cylinders...

 

[racerx_]

Would it help your calculations if you had metric tables? I can send you a scan of mine so you can get through the tutorial more accurately.

But if the tutorial is losing you, it would help for someone to run through the tables with you because essentially you want to pay attention to the pressure group, whether it's in feet or meters.

 

[Subcooled]

The best answer I can give is that you really should avoid alcohol and coffee and excessive sun, drink plenty of fresh water, sleep well and relax after the dives. No dive operator can afford customers getting decompression sickness regularly. The dives are thus planned to be quite safe. You can ruin that though, by not beeing well hydrated, or by going to the gym after the dives. Also, remember to enjoy a relaxing stay at shallow depth at the end of the dive. There's no hurry. If you get excessively tired after a dive then perhaps it is time to listen to your body, skip a dive, and recover. It's not just tables, you know.

 

[JamieMc5280]

Thank you! I've watched 3 of his videos and am solid! That's all I needed to refresh my memory

---------- Post added April 28th, 2014 at 08:22 AM ----------

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

 

[DivemasterDennis]

As noted above, google "recreationaldive planner" click on "RECREATIONAL DIVE PLANNER - Padi" , up will pop a 38 page instruction guide for its use. I suggest you start there. I dive with a computer on every dive, but still use the tables to calculate pressure groups and surface intervals and to stay current in proficiency in using them. NEVER stop logging your dives.
Divemaster Dennis

 

[oly5050user]

I thought that by coming to SB and asking questions, studying up, making sure I know what I'm doing and how to do it properly- I was accepting responsibility for myself. As far as whether or not I can afford to purchase a dive computer- it's not just 1 computer I need, my husband would need one as well. Your response to my question was insinuating, condescending and quite frankly, rude. Not that this would matter to you, because you've only made assumptions at this point (that I don't want to make the most of my dive and that I'm the kind of diver that expects my dive master to lead me around to keep me saw) but, I did a resort course to introduce myself to diving last summer, spent the week diving and becoming certified because I fell in love with it. I live in Colorado and do not have the luxury of diving frequently. What my husband and I have saved to take this dive trip has been substantial and sadly there isn't much more wiggle room financially. I am trying to use the tools PADI gave me for my certification. This, in my opinion IS ABSOLUTELY being responsible for myself and my dive. Yes, I am going with a dive shop and using a dive master for my trip- with this I hope to learn a ton. I also thought this was a supportive community...sadly, I've not had that experience from you. To those that gave helpful suggestions, I thank you sincerely. Yes I am new, yes I have purchased some of the minimum equipment (fins, mask, snorkel, wetsuit, booties) yes, I hope to afford a computer, bcd & regulator one day- today is not that day.

sorry if I came off that way. Actually did not mean to..Probably because this week I had someone come in for a refresher,which we see very often as we can schedule on demand as we have a pool in the facility, he had an advance card and could not even clear water out of a mask . Before going into pool he did a quick review quiz and could not plan a dive using a rdp. He does not own a computer either. Did trust me dives with instr/DM ..never made any real commitment to the activity. He tried to get a volunteer position a a local aquarium and failed to make the cut due to nonexistent abilities. We see people every week going to some really expensive location to dive and are unwilling to get what is need to make the trip more enjoyable. Example is Galapagos trip and people balk at purchasing a wet suit to keep warm. Get real here, this can be a $5,000 trip per person and they cannot spend $200 on a suit ..you can go out to a dinner and a movie and spend that much with a date very easily. It's not only a financial commitment I write about but a learning one as well. Last week we had someone come in to complete nitrox certification and could not figure out how to get a plan screen on their computer,which they owned for a few years,as they never did it before.
As for being in Colorado and not diving often,true I would think there are few dive sites if any nearby, but Colorado actually has the most per capita divers than anywhere else in the country. They are all diving somewhere.

 

[SynCitizen]

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

PADI is updating it's OW program to reflect the relatively low cost, wide spread use and advances in technology. As of right now with new materials that combine the recently optional "use and choose a computer" section replacing the table section, with RDP table training now becoming optional.
I think most current instructors will still choose to teach the RDP in addition, as there is a lot of value in knowing the what/why/how numbers displayed on the computer mean and are derived.... that and I've never even once had the batteries die on a RDP table.

 

[JamieMc5280]

I don't understand the question really.
you should know how to use tables before diving

I learned how to use the tables during my OW certification- this was last summer, I was simply asking for suggestions/tips for those with more experience than myself. I didn't realize sarcasm would ensue.

---------- Post added April 28th, 2014 at 09:55 AM ----------

sorry if I came off that way. Actually did not mean to..Probably because this week I had someone come in for a refresher,which we see very often as we can schedule on demand as we have a pool in the facility, he had an advance card and could not even clear water out of a mask . Before going into pool he did a quick review quiz and could not plan a dive using a rdp. He does not own a computer either. Did trust me dives with instr/DM ..never made any real commitment to the activity. He tried to get a volunteer position a a local aquarium and failed to make the cut due to nonexistent abilities. We see people every week going to some really expensive location to dive and are unwilling to get what is need to make the trip more enjoyable. Example is Galapagos trip and people balk at purchasing a wet suit to keep warm. Get real here, this can be a $5,000 trip per person and they cannot spend $200 on a suit ..you can go out to a dinner and a movie and spend that much with a date very easily. It's not only a financial commitment I write about but a learning one as well. Last week we had someone come in to complete nitrox certification and could not figure out how to get a plan screen on their computer,which they owned for a few years,as they never did it before.
As for being in Colorado and not diving often,true I would think there are few dive sites if any nearby, but Colorado actually has the most per capita divers than anywhere else in the country. They are all diving somewhere.

With all due respect, I am neither of those divers- nor should I have been lumped in with that assumption. I know how to clear a mask and am doing my best to be informed, well prepared and knowledgeable prior to my dive trip. I am diving with a reputable dive shop and the dive masters plan the dives for us. This isn't a trust me dive operation. Yes, there are a lot of divers in Colorado- however, a large percentage of our population is also from California. I'm sure lots of people are diving a lot of places- the options here are man made reservoirs, the Denver Aquarium and the closest destination would be the Blue Hole in New Mexico. Not my choice of dive spots personally. Those who dive, that I know, take dive trips- as am I.