Diving without computers

[Ryszard R]

I think we don't need computer diving less 30 feet and when we dive at the place we dived several times before..

 

[Altamira]

Unless a vacation diver, who only dives a couple times a year, has an abnormally low SAC rate, he/she will be limited by air usage before NDLs are reached. Of course that assumes not diving 4-5 times a day.

 

[boulderjohn]

A lot depends upon where you will dive. If you are diving less than 30 feet with no possibility of going deeper, then you don't need a computer, a depth gauge, or a timer. If you go to a place like Cozumel where the dives must by law be led by a DM and where that DM will take you on multi-level dives that exceed table bottom times, then you are going to need a computer--a dive table won't do it. (Some dive operators there require computers.)

There is one important factor about computers that you need to consider before choosing whether to rent or buy. I once finished a dive and someone I knew was finishing his dive at about the same time. (We were not otherwise together.) He said his computer was acting strangely, and he described what was going on. I told him to put his regulator back in his mouth and we immediately went down for a very long decompression stop. His computer was telling him he had exceeded his NDLs and now had required decompression--which he had skipped because he didn't understand what the computer was telling him. When we returned to the surface, I put him on oxygen to be safe.

That is the problem with a rental computer--will you understand it? All computers will give you basic information like maximum depth, current depth, dive time, and remaining NDL right on the surface, but there is much more. You should know how to use the planning feature to prepare for the next dive. You should know how to read NDLs. You should know how the computer is guiding you should you exceed your NDLs. That is an argument for owning your own. A decent cheap computer will serve most divers perfectly well, and you can probably buy a used one for less than the cost of renting one for a week.

 

[pinshootr]

Also a lot of dive resorts are starting to require a DC to dive with them.

 

[VR78]

Now when you say "computer" you mean a computer, right, not just a bottom timer? BT is sufficient for 100% of the dives that I do, that is, 30m/90ft and less on N32 and within minimum deco limits. As long as there is the average depth indicator all calculations, including residual gas, are very easy and do not require a computer.

 

[Bubblesong]

Now when you say "computer" you mean computer, right, not just the bottom timer? BT is sufficient for 100% of the dives that I do, that is, 30m/90ft and less on N32 and within minimum deco limits. As long as there is the average depth indicator, all calculations, including residual gas, are very easy and do not require a computer.

Yes, dive computer, because if I am going to wear anything, I'd rather go all out with computer, and fit in more diving. Before we took it easy and went shopping afternoons, but I don't need anymore stuff so keeping away from the colorful tourist shops is a Really good idea for me.

 

[KeithG]

So how many divers have been diving the old way, before computers, and still prefer it that way? I am sure everyone is planning their dive and diving their plans, but even with that as a baseline, if you only dive several easygoing vacations per year, is it worth the effort of trying to press those tiny buttons? Asking for a friend...

we prefer computers.mand sometimes a computer is mandatory.

we are vacation divers who started out many years ago using tables but diving multi level profiles. by the table we were always at the edge of NDLs (after the first few trips air has never been a problem). but we were not too worried since the second half of the dive was much shallower than our maximim depth.

then we got a computer. and easily doubled our bottom time without coming close to NDLs. my favourite bonaire profile is 90 feet for 90 minutes.

the liveaboards we use mandate having a computer.

 

[KeithG]

P.S.Why are you pressing tiny buttons?

 

[BoltSnap]

I started diving in the early 70's in Libya and bought my first computer circa 1987 (USD Datascan with AI) and never looked back. A DC isn't just for figuring out NDL and the multilevel calculations it does for you but also for many other reasons that make diving more enjoyable and even safer considering how accurate and "automatic" DC's are today (if used properly per mfg. instructions).


Renting DC (or any dive equipment) don't make any sense to me especially when the price of a meal with alcoholic beverages in some touristy locations is more than the price of a simple computer when a dive computer will last you much longer than a meal. I know that for some, it is a "macho" thing to do but this isn't my style of diving, I look for convenience and enjoyment of my diving with tools that make my diving safer as well.

 

[rx7diver]

I know that for some, it [diving without a PDC] is a "macho" thing to do but this isn't my style of diving, I look for convenience and enjoyment of my diving with tools that make my diving safer as well.

BurhanMuntasser,

I have never before heard that some divers equate diving without a PDC demonstrates machismo. (I, personally, can NOT imagine how "macho" and "no PDC" can possibly be related.) Any idea, from your experience, how common this sense/belief is?

Safe Diving,

rx7diver